TEWKSBURY, Mass. — “The most recent update to the TruNarc library reinforces this commitment – ensuring that law enforcement can identify the newest threats to public health and safety.”

Law enforcement personnel can now use an instrument designed to identify a wider range of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones. Building on the core functionality of the Thermo Scientific TruNarc handheld analyzer, Thermo Fisher Scientific designed the TruNarc v1.4 software update to increase the TruNarc’s onboard library in an effort to enable narcotics officers, customs personnel and military police to quickly identify and better enforce the newest laws related to synthetic drugs.

The TruNarc v1.4 release comes at a critical juncture in the crackdown on the global synthetic drug industry. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is in its second phase of Project Synergy, an initiative aimed at bringing together federal, state, local and international law enforcement resources to target the designer and synthetic drug industry. To date, more than 150 individuals in 29 states have been arrested for the sale and possession of synthetic drugs as part of Project Synergy Phase II, and more than $20 million in cash and assets have been seized.

The Thermo Scientific TruNarc analyzer is a handheld Raman system designed for rapid identification of suspected drugs without direct contact. Using lab-proven Raman spectroscopy, the TruNarc instrument quickly and accurately identifies a variety of illicit drugs, cutting agents and precursors.

“We are committed to enhancing our instruments to better support law enforcement personnel in the field,” said Trey Sieger, market leader, portable analyzers, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The most recent update to the TruNarc library reinforces this commitment – ensuring that law enforcement can identify the newest threats to public health and safety.”

The TruNarc v1.4 library includes additional synthetic cannabinoids, such as BB-22, PB-22, AB-FUBINACA and AB-PINACA, as well as numerous N-BOMes (“N-bombs”). TruNarc is the only field-deployed instrument designed to enable identification of synthetic cannabinoids in their final, sellable form after being dissolved and sprayed on plant materials, in addition to bulk cannabinoids in transit.

Thermo Scientific is one of the premier brands of Thermo Fisher Scientific. More information on the Thermo Scientific TruNarc v1.4 can be found at www.thermoscientific.com/trunarc.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of $17 billion and 50,000 employees in 50 countries. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity. Through our four premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Life Technologies, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services – we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive support. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.