Capturing Chemical Signatures of Fentanyl in Fingernails

At Pittcon 2026 in San Antonio, Texas,Dr. Lenka Halámková, an assistant professor of high-dimensional data analysis at Texas Tech University, delivered a talk that highlighted her research using spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) to detect fentanyl.¹

Halámková’s work studies the use of machine learning and multivariate statistical methods to interpret vibrational spectroscopic data for forensic and biomedical applications. Her research focuses on developing analytical techniques to detect and classify biological stains, gunshot residue, and other forms of trace evidence.² She also investigates enzymatic sensors and biochemical computing approaches to analyze biological markers linked to traits such as sex and ethnicity.² In addition, her work examines enzyme inhibition mechanisms and explores rapid diagnostic strategies, including Raman spectroscopy–based methods for detecting Chronic Wasting Disease in wildlife.²

In the first part of our conversation, Halámková recaps her talk that she delivered at Pittcon, which was titled, “Multi-Modal Spectroscopic and Biochemical Approaches for Fentanyl Detection: Integrating Raman, ATR-FTIR, and Enzyme Kinetics Analysis.”¹ Sheexplained how her team developed a novel method for fentanyl detection from human nails using ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning (ML).³

In the second video clip from our conversation with Halámková, she explains how ATR-FTIR spectroscopy captures chemical signatures of fentanyl within the nail’s keratin matrix. The insights shared in this clip highlight how spectroscopic instrumentation and innovation is leading to new breakthroughs in forensic analysis.

Spectroscopy will be continuing to provide coverage of the Pittcon 2026 conference on an ongoing basis as we report back from San Antonio. You can stay up to date with our coverage of the Pittcon 2026 conference here.

References

1. Halámková, L. Multi-Modal Spectroscopic and Biochemical Approaches for Fentanyl Detection: Integrating Raman, ATR-FTIR, and Enzyme Kinetics Analysis. Presented at Pittcon 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDM0Mjc5MQ==
2. Texas Tech University, Lenka Halamkova, Ph.D. TTU.edu. Available at: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/entx/Department/Personnel/Faculty/Lenka_Halamkova.php (accessed 2026-03-11).
3. Halámková, L.; Wetzel, W. Using Multi-Modal Spectroscopic and Biomedical Approaches for Fentanyl Detection. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/using-multi-modal-spectroscopic-and-biomedical-approaches-for-fentanyl-detection (accessed 2026-03-12).