By Kevin Shanks, M.S., D-ABFT-FT We have previously discussed both fentanyl and 4-ANPP in this blog (1-2), but briefly, fentanyl is a mu opioid receptor agonist that is used as both a pharmaceutical medication and as an illicit drug found on the street typically as a...
By Kevin Shanks, M.S., D-ABFT-FT As mentioned in several previous posts on this blog, novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are arranged into different families. Opioids, cannabinoids, stimulants, hallucinogens, and benzodiazepines are the main ones we encounter in...
By Kevin Shanks, M.S., D-ABFT-FT As we have discussed on this blog several times in the past, novel psychoactive substances (NPS) come in different varieties, which include cannabinoids, stimulants, opioids, benzodiazepines, and hallucinogens. One of Axis Forensic...
We’re excited to share that our Comprehensive Panel with Analyte Assurance™, as well as the below referenced panels, have been updated in all orders effective June 2nd, 2025. The analytes that have been added are as follows: ortho-Methylfentanyl – Confirmed via...
Axis is pleased to recognize the four Forensic Medicine Fellows that recently completed Axis’ toxicology rotation. The rotation is a week-long virtual program where participants reviewed many aspects of a modern forensic toxicology operation, including the...
At this year’s MATT meeting, Dr. Laureen Marinetti spoke to attendees about how to differentiate between ketamine used illicitly versus ketamine used medically. She also discussed the origin of medical and illicit ketamine. Ketamine was developed in 1962 for use as...
At this year’s MATT meeting, Stuart Kurtz spoke to attendees about the prevalence of nitazene analogs and the concentrations at which Axis detects them. We have previously discussed what nitazenes are in blog posts (see links below). As a reminder, they are potent mu...
Axis toxicologists Laureen Marinetti, PhD, F-ABFT, and Stuart Kurtz, M.S, D-ABFT-FT, will be presenting at the Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT) Annual Meeting in Milwaukee Wisconsin, April 2-4, 2025. Their presentation topics...
By Kevin Shanks, D-ABFT-FT 1,1-Difluoroethane (DFE) is a chemical compound that belongs to the family of hydrofluorocarbons, also known as HFCs. DFE has a chemical formula C2H4F2 and is a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature and is commonly used as a...
