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Recent Contributions of Organic Synthesis to Forensic Science
Gustavo Dos Santos Martins1, Mariana Dos Santos Dupim1, Rodrigo Garcia Agostinho1
1Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais Walter Mors, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Chempluschem
|February 19, 2026
Summary
Organic synthesis advances forensic science by enabling drug identification, toxicology analysis, and fingerprint detection. This review highlights synthetic methodologies addressing key challenges in these forensic applications.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Forensic science is crucial for criminal investigations and judicial proceedings.
- Organic chemistry provides essential tools for analyzing evidence, including drug identification and metabolite studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances at the interface of organic synthesis and forensic science.
- To highlight synthetic methodologies applied to drug identification, toxicology, and fingerprint analysis.
- To identify opportunities for organic synthesis contributions to forensic science.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on organic synthesis applications in forensic science.
- Categorization of advances into drug identification, toxicology, and fingerprint analysis.
- Analysis of synthetic methodologies used to solve forensic challenges.
Main Results:
- Synthetic methodologies are key to structural elucidation of seized drugs and intermediates.
- Organic synthesis enables the creation of analytical reference standards for doping control.
- Advances in synthetic probes aid in detecting fingerprints and biological fluids.
Conclusions:
- Organic synthesis plays a fundamental role in modern forensic science.
- Synthetic chemistry offers solutions for critical challenges in drug identification and toxicology.
- There are significant opportunities for organic chemists to advance forensic science through novel methodologies.
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