Drug-related deaths are on the rise in the United States. Dangerous substances like fentanyl are making their way into our country – resulting in countless overdoses. What methods are forensic scientists using to investigate this concerning epidemic? How has drug analysis evolved over time? Dr. James V. DeFrancesco joins us to explain…

Dr. DeFrancesco is the director of the Forensic Science Program and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry at Loyola University Chicago. He has over 34 years of experience in law enforcement and industrial chemistry and is recognized as a national expert in the chemical analysis of numerous controlled substances. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• How controlled substances have evolved and changed over time. 
• What “pro-drugs” are, and how the body reacts to them. 
• When and how forensic science comes into play with drug analysis. 

To learn more about Dr. DeFrancesco and his work, click here now!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr