Colour tests show promise in battle to halt pill deaths

European law enforcement agencies are using the chemistry discoveries of young Sydney researchers to try to stem the burgeoning global trade in illicit and dangerous drugs.

Forensic chemist Dr Morgan Philp developed a quick and simple colour test for synthetic cathinones as part of her PhD research in the UTS Centre for Forensic Science, under the supervision of Professor Shanlin Fu. Frontline customs officers and police can use the test to determine if a suspicious substance requires further analysis.

In a world first, a kit developed from her patented test went on sale in Europe late last year.

Tobias Scholl, the German chemist who manufactured the kit, recently visited Sydney to spend time in the UTS labs with Dr Philp, PhD students Laura Clancy and Joshua Klingberg, research assistant Melanie Lauria, Dr Ronald Shimmon and Professor Fu.