Traditional and Emerging Techniques for Detecting Drugs in Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: A Narrative Review

Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is a serious global forensic and public health concern in which victims are incapacitated through the covert administration of psychoactive substances. Timely and reliable identification of these drugs is essential for forensic investigation and legal prosecution. This narrative review summarizes traditional and emerging analytical techniques used for detecting drugs associated with DFSA. A total of approximately 60 peer-reviewed studies published in major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were reviewed to evaluate current forensic detection approaches. Conventional analytical techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and capillary electrophoresis remain the gold standard for identifying DFSA drugs in biological matrices. Recent advances in sensing technologies, including microfluidic devices, biosensors, and nanomaterial-based assays, have improved the speed, sensitivity, and portability of drug detection methods. These innovations show potential for rapid on-site screening in forensic investigations. Strengthening analytical capabilities and awareness of DFSA can improve evidence collection, support prosecution, and enhance protection for victims. This review was not registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database.