Analytical Methods Used for the Detection and Quantification of Benzodiazepines

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely prescribed psychotropic drugs for various conditions.
• Illicit BZD use contributes to drug abuse, road accidents, and suicides, necessitating forensic analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review sample preparation and detection/quantification methods for BZDs in biological specimens over the last decade.
• To enhance the accurate evaluation of physiological states in forensic investigations.

Main Methods:

• Sample preparation techniques: Solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE).
• Detection and quantification methods: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), chromatography (GC-MS, HPLC, TLC), immunoassays (ELISA, RIA, LFA, CEDEA, FPIA, KIMS), and electroanalytical methods (voltammetry, potentiometry).

Main Results:

• A comprehensive overview of analytical techniques for BZD detection in biological matrices.
• Focus on methods developed and applied in the past ten years.

Conclusions:

• Accurate analysis of BZDs in biological specimens is essential for forensic science and drug abuse monitoring.
• The reviewed methods provide tools for precise physiological state evaluation.