Matrix-dependent analytical strategies for the detection of drug-infused foods: A comprehensive review

Drug-infused foods are increasingly encountered in forensic investigations, including drug-facilitated crimes (DFC), chemical submission cases, and the seizure of adulterated edible products. The heterogeneous physicochemical characteristics of food matrices pose substantial analytical challenges for the reliable extraction, identification, and quantification of psychoactive substances in evidentiary samples. This review systematically examines twenty food matrices with high reported frequencies of drug infusion and evaluates matrix-dependent relationships among infused drug classes, extraction strategies, and chromatographic-mass spectrometric detection techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on analytical considerations relevant to forensic casework, including matrix interferences, derivatization requirements, and method robustness across solid and liquid matrices. Solid matrices, predominantly associated with cannabinoids, frequently rely on QuEChERS-based extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based detection, whereas liquid matrices implicated in DFC cases often require liquid-liquid extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based methodologies for benzodiazepines, dissociatives, and opioids. Emerging technologies, including fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) and deep learning-assisted mass spectrometry for the identification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), are discussed in the context of improving analytical reliability in complex evidentiary samples. By integrating matrix-specific analytical trends with forensic applicability, this review provides a comprehensive overview of current analytical approaches and highlights key considerations for the detection of drug-infused foods in forensic investigations.