Singapore is strengthening its stance against emerging drug threats with the launch of its first forensic laboratory dedicated to investigating new psychoactive substances (NPS). The Forensic Innovation and Research for Strategic Transformation (FIRST) lab, unveiled on April 14, is part of the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX). This new facility is not just a scientific hub—it’s a strategic weapon against a global surge in drug variations that evade traditional enforcement.
A Strategic Move Against Evolving Drug Threats
New psychoactive substances mimic the effects of traditional drugs like cannabis or heroin, but are chemically modified to bypass existing laws. The global spike in these substances has made enforcement increasingly complex. In 2023 alone, over 1,200 NPS were identified worldwide, with Singapore currently monitoring 566 variants, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). The FIRST lab addresses this gap by offering the scientific tools needed to understand, test, and stay ahead of the ever-changing drug landscape.
FIRST Lab: Working Backwards to Stay Ahead
Unlike conventional drug testing labs, the FIRST lab uses reverse-engineering techniques to trace unknown chemical combinations that mimic the effects of illegal substances. This allows authorities to anticipate future threats rather than reacting to them. Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam emphasized this proactive approach, highlighting how legislation has already been updated to better address synthetic drug threats as early as March 2023.
Rapid Drug Detection Through Hair and Sweat Analysis
One of the FIRST lab’s breakthroughs is rapid hair analysis, which can detect drug use in under 10 minutes. Additionally, the lab has developed a wearable device that identifies drug traces through perspiration—a potential game-changer in drug rehabilitation monitoring. These technologies enable faster, non-invasive detection, opening the door to earlier interventions and better recovery tracking.
Using Psychoactive Potential, Not Just Structure
Traditional enforcement often depends on a drug’s chemical structure. But many NPS are engineered to escape those exact classifications. The FIRST lab introduces a new approach—evaluating the psychoactive potential of substances. This allows for swifter legal action, even before the exact chemical makeup is identified, bridging the gap between innovation and enforcement.
AI and Bioinformatics Enhance Crime Scene Investigations
Beyond drugs, the lab is applying artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to broader forensic science. For example, AI-powered neural networks are now being used to predict the sex of individuals based on fingerprints, significantly narrowing suspect pools. In another cutting-edge project, scientists are exploring how hair proteins and airborne DNA can help identify suspects when standard DNA analysis fails.
Forensics at the Frontline: From Bombs to Biomolecules
The lab isn’t just about drugs—it’s also driving research in post-blast investigations, protein-based evidence analysis, and advanced crime scene reconstruction. By examining biomolecules such as proteins in hair, blood, or skin, the lab improves accuracy in evidence attribution, helping law enforcement solve cases with greater precision and speed.
Embedding Forensics into Everyday Operations
According to HTX’s Director of Forensics, Lim Chin Chin, the vision is to make forensic science a “force multiplier” across all stages of Home Team operations—from crime prevention to post-event analysis. The lab’s innovations are expected to reshape how Singapore’s law enforcement approaches not only drug crimes but all types of criminal investigations in the future.
Conclusion
The opening of the FIRST forensic lab marks a bold step in Singapore’s fight against synthetic drugs and sophisticated criminal tactics. By integrating science, technology, and AI, the nation is staying ahead of evolving threats while reinforcing its global reputation for safety and innovation. As the drug landscape grows more complex, Singapore’s approach offers a model for how forensic science can drive enforcement in the 21st century.
