by Denise Purdie Andrews | Nov 7, 2025 | Drug Classes
By Kevin Shanks, D-ABFT-FT It has been a little over 4 years since Axis mentioned synthetic cannabinoids on this blog. So, briefly, synthetic cannabinoids are man-made compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) in the body and mediate effects of...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Nov 6, 2025 | Announcements, Drug Classes
In October 2025, toxicologist Kevin Shanks made presentations at both the National Association of Medical Examiners 2025 Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, and at the Society of Forensic Toxicologists 2025 Conference in Portland, Oregon. NAME 2025 Recap:...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Oct 17, 2025 | Drug Classes
By Stuart Kurtz, D-ABFT-FT Axis Forensic Toxicology has previously written on kratom and cases involving kratom fatalities. As a quick recap, Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree or shrub that grows in southeast Asia. It’s part of the Rubiaceae family which includes coffee...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Sep 17, 2025 | Announcements
We’re pleased to inform you that our Comprehensive Panel with Analyte Assurance™, along with the referenced panels below, will be updated for all orders effective September 29, 2025. The following analytes will be added: 5F-ADB Butanoic Acid Metabolite – Confirmed via...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Sep 2, 2025 | General
By Laureen Marinetti, PhD, F-ABFT As part of its whole case approach, Axis Forensic Toxicology includes urine drug testing alongside blood testing in both the Comprehensive Panel with Analyte Assurance™ and Drugs of Abuse Panel. The standard urine screen typically...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Aug 8, 2025 | Drug Classes
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 Denise Purdie Andrews | Jul 2, 2025 | Drug Classes
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 Denise Purdie Andrews | Jun 5, 2025 | Drug Classes
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...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Jun 3, 2025 | Announcements
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...
