New psychoactive substances (NPS) appeared in 112 of 1,058 analyzed forensic cases from 2012–2014, with 75 cases in 2014 alone. The overall prevalence of NPS (15.1–17.6%) was similar to that of amphetamine alone (15.1–16.5%). Cathinones made up 88% of the NPS detected, most frequently 3-MMC, α-PVP, and pentedrone. In 35% of cases, a single NPS was the only drug found; two or more NPS appeared in 19% of cases; and most cases (65%) involved NPS alongside conventional drugs such as amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine, or benzodiazepines. NPS were often found in drivers' blood, posing a challenge for toxicologists due to limited data on their effects on psychomotor performance.
A qualitative method using solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOF) was developed to detect five fungal toxins—α-amanitin, β-amanitin, γ-amanitin, muscarine, and psilocin—in blood and urine. The method uses HLB columns and acetonitrile-based extraction, with detection limits ranging from 0.3 to 2.1 ng/mL depending on the compound and matrix. It enables efficient identification of these toxins in forensic toxicology, addressing challenges in analyzing biological material from autopsies or living humans for mushroom poisoning.