Swiss scientists develop urine test that detects GHB up to 72 hours after ingestion

A team of Swiss scientists unveiled a novel lab method capable of identifying gamma‑hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in urine for as long as 72 hours post‑consumption, markedly lengthening the detection period relative to current approaches that frequently fail to detect the drug after only a few hours.

By pairing high‑performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, the technique enables analysts to isolate and measure minute quantities of GHB even after extensive metabolism, while also distinguishing the drug from naturally occurring baseline levels in the body.

Because low doses of GHB can cause sedation and amnesia, the substance is often linked to sexual‑assault incidents, and its swift clearance from blood has historically hindered prosecutors who depend on toxicology evidence to support victims’ accounts.

A three‑day detection window provides investigators with a broader interval for sample collection, potentially boosting the likelihood of obtaining forensic proof that ties a perpetrator to a crime scene, particularly when victims cannot obtain assistance right away.

Operating out of a Swiss university pharmacology department, the researchers confirmed the assay’s performance by testing both laboratory‑prepared urine fortified with precise GHB levels and specimens from volunteers who received measured doses, showing reliable sensitivity and specificity throughout the assay’s range.

Forensic toxicology specialists note that the method also tackles the persistent difficulty of separating externally administered GHB from the body’s endogenous production, a distinction that has previously muddied legal assessments of positive findings.

Law‑enforcement bodies across Europe have shown enthusiasm for the technique, observing that it fits within current efforts to upgrade forensic capacities and harmonize procedures internationally, although official implementation will depend on additional inter‑lab studies and regulatory approval.

Support groups for sexual‑assault survivors contend that an extended detection period could motivate victims to report incidents, reassured that scientific proof remains attainable despite delays, while also emphasizing the importance of robust support services in tandem with forensic progress.

The investigators intend to broaden trials to include larger, more varied cohorts and to assess the technique’s usefulness on alternative biological samples like blood and hair, steps that may facilitate wider adoption in courts and medical facilities throughout Europe and beyond.