DRUG DETECTION

[0000] Aspects and embodiments relate to apparatus and methods to identify whether a drug is present in a provided sample. One aspect provides a drug detection method to identify whether a drug is present in a provided sample, the method comprising: determining a first fluorescence spectral matrix associated with the provided sample by: excitation of the provided sample at a first excitation wavelength; and receiving a fluorescence emission spectrum generated by the provided sample at the first excitation wavelength; repeating the excitation and receiving steps across a range of excitation wavelengths which differ from the first excitation wavelength; determining a wavelength for irradiation of the sample to induce a photochemical change in the provided sample and irradiating the provided sample with radiation having the determined wavelength; determining a second fluorescence spectral matrix associated with the provided sample by: excitation of the provided sample at a first excitation wavelength; and receiving a fluorescence emission spectrum generated by the provided sample at the first excitation wavelength; repeating the excitation and receiving steps across a range of excitation wavelengths which differ from the first excitation wavelength; comparing the determined first and second fluorescence spectral matrix associated with the provided sample with a library of first and second fluorescence spectral matrices obtained from a plurality of drug samples; and if a match within a predetermined threshold is revealed by said comparison, triggering a positive identification of a drug in the provided sample. Aspects recognise that the rapid detection of certain drugs can be enhanced by augmenting a fluorescence spectral fingerprint based detection methodology with photochemical reactivity tracking. The hybrid photochemical fingerprinting methodology in accordance with aspects allows for capture of information on both: new fluorescent species that emerge as a result of a specifically induced photochemical reaction(s) notable detectable drugs, but also the loss of fluorescent/absorptive species as they are photochemically degraded. Both such physical changes are reflective of the specific chemistry of the analyte (drug) which is being tested for.