Swiss researchers develop urine test detecting GHB up to three days after ingestion

Scientists in Switzerland 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 tests 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 the blood has historically hampered prosecutors who depend on toxicology findings to support victims' accounts.

A three‑day detection window provides law‑enforcement with a broader window for gathering specimens, potentially raising the likelihood of obtaining forensic proof that connects a perpetrator to the scene, particularly when victims cannot obtain immediate assistance.

The researchers, based in a Swiss university pharmacology department, confirmed the assay’s performance by testing both laboratory‑prepared urine infused with predetermined GHB levels and specimens from volunteers who received measured doses, showing reliable sensitivity and specificity throughout the assay’s range.

Forensic toxicologists note that the method also tackles the persistent difficulty of separating externally administered GHB from the body’s own endogenous production, an issue that has previously muddied legal assessments of positive findings.

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

Support groups for sexual‑assault survivors contend that an extended detection period could motivate victims to report offenses, reassured that scientific proof remains attainable despite delays, and they also stress the importance of robust support services alongside forensic progress.

The team intends to broaden trials to include larger, more varied cohorts and to investigate whether the approach works with other biological samples like blood and hair, steps that may facilitate wider adoption in courts and medical facilities throughout Europe and beyond.