Narco-crimes, Narco-forensics, and National Security

Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-3-032-37945-0
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 532 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm

This volume examines the intersection of narco-crimes, forensic science, and national security, highlighting the role of forensic methodologies in the investigation of drug-related offences and organized criminal networks. It explores how forensic evidence can support the detection, analysis, and prosecution of narcotics-related crime, while contributing to a broader understanding of the security implications of illicit drug production and trafficking.

Drawing on perspectives from forensic science, criminology, law enforcement, public policy, and security studies, the volume addresses both the scientific and operational dimensions of narcotics control. It examines contemporary developments in drug analysis and forensic intelligence and considers their application to emerging challenges associated with synthetic drugs, clandestine laboratories, darknet marketplaces, and narco-terrorism. Through case studies and multidisciplinary perspectives, the book demonstrates the growing importance of forensic science in supporting investigations and disrupting illicit drug networks. 

The volume also considers legal, institutional, and policy responses to narcotics-related crime, emphasizing international cooperation and capacity building. In doing so, it reflects the objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 in relation to justice, security, and the reduction of illicit trafficking. Intended for forensic scientists, criminologists, law-enforcement professionals, policymakers, researchers, academicians and students, the book provides an interdisciplinary perspective on contemporary drug crime and its broader societal and security implications.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Choudhary, Sumit Kumar

Ahi, Shobha

Francese, Simona

Aseri, Vinay

Tiwari, Sudhanshu Shekher

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Strafrecht Kriminologie, Strafverfolgung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1. The Historical, Sociocultural and Administrative Foundations of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.- Chapter 2. Forensic Chemistry of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.- Chapter 3. Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics & Toxicological Perspective of NDPS.- Chapter 4. Drugs Prohibition in Sports and Dope Testing.- Chapter 5. Global and Regional Organizations, Pacts, Policies and Practices.- Chapter 6. Dark Web & Drug-Driven Economies: Production Hubs and Global Supply Chains.- Chapter 7. Drug Intelligence, Narcotic Raids, and Crime Scene Management.- Chapter 8. Laboratory Next Door/Laboratory on Wheels: Understanding Clandestine Drug Synthesis Hotspots.- Chapter 9. Antemortem and Postmortem Findings in Cases of Drug Overdose.- Chapter 10. Sample Preparation of NDPS and Preliminary Examinations.- Chapter 11. Chromatographic and hyphenated MS Methods for Drug Identification.- Chapter 12. Advanced Spectroscopic and Immunological Techniques for Drug Identification.- Chapter 13. Precursor Chemicals and Controlled Substances.- Chapter 14. Administration and management of NDPS and dope testing laboratories; challenges and limitations.- Chapter 15. Forensic Reporting and Courtroom Testimony in NDPS Cases .- Chapter 16. The Evolution of Colombian and Mexican Drug Cartels and Their Global Implications: A Social Network Analysis Perspective.- Chapter 17. Addiction Psychiatry & Rehabilitation Policies.- Chapter 18. Psychoactive Substances and Addiction: Neurobiological Mechanisms and Public Health Implications.- Chapter 19. Drug Trafficking, Drug Diplomacy, and National Security.

Über Autor(innen)

Dr. Sumit Kumar Choudhary is an academician, researcher, author, editor, consultant and emerging thought leader in Forensic Science with over 15 years of experience. A Gold Medallist postgraduate from the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, New Delhi, he holds a Ph.D. in Forensic & Behavioural Sciences. He is founder faculty of Rashtriya Raksha University, founder Dean & Head of forensic science school and youngest & longest officiating Registrar, who is accredited with planning & building the world-class permanent campus of pioneering National Police & Security University (RRU) of India at Lavad. He has imparted training to police officers, judges, prosecutors, and security personnel from over 20 countries. He has made significant contributions in developing SOPs for Crime Scene Photography and Videography and development of e-content for forensic studies of serving police officers for BPR&D. He is associated with several universities and public service commissions as active committee member and in advisory roles. A sought-after speaker, he has delivered 40+ expert talks in various national & international forums, and as an author he has published over 35 research papers in international & national journals, 5 Edited books and is a recipient of multiple awards, including the “Junior Research Fellowship Award”, “Academic Excellence Award”, "Forensic Excellence Award – 2024" and "Best Academician Award – 2023."

Dr. Shobha Ahi  is a Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Director at the Drug Control Centre, King’s Forensics, King’s College London. She holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and has more than 19 years of experience in anti-doping science, primarily within WADA accredited laboratories. Her expertise spans the detection of prohibited substances, identification of marker metabolites, method development and validation, and sports drug testing. Dr. Ahi has made significant contributions to research on dried blood spot (DBS) analysis, drug metabolism, and the detection of prohibited substances in biological samples. She has supervised doctoral researchers, taught forensic science and toxicology at postgraduate level, and authored more than 35 peer reviewed scientific publications. In addition, she serves on the editorial boards of scientific journals and actively contributes as a peer reviewer. Her current research focuses on advancing dried blood sample testing and developing innovative analytical strategies to enhance anti-doping testing and support clean sport initiatives worldwide.

Simona Francese is Professor of Forensic and Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry at Sheffield Hallam University, UK, lead of the British Mass Spectrometry Society MALDI and Imaging Special Interest Group and directs Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging and the Sheffield Multimodal Imaging Centre. Her pioneering work on molecular fingerprinting has led to collaborations with the UK Home Office, West Yorkshire Police, the Ministry of Defense, and the Netherlands Forensic Institute, received awards for her impact. With over 80 peer-reviewed publications and three edited books, she is a regular invited speaker at international conferences and has been featured several times by the BBC and many reputable international outlets over the past 15 years. Her research supports police and forensic providers in extracting intelligence from fingermarks and extends to clinical diagnostics with the NHS. She is a public speaker including, amongst others, multiple appearances on TEDx and TED platforms.
Vinay Aseri is an Academician and Researcher in Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, and Artificial Intelligence at the Narnarayan Shastri Institute of Technology – Institute of Forensic Sciences & Cyber Security (NSIT-IFSCS), affiliated with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. He holds a postgraduate degree in Forensic Science with digital forensics specialization from India’s pioneering National Security & Police University. His research focuses on digital forensics, cybersecurity, AI for national security, and emerging technologies. He has published more than 45 research papers in reputed Scopus-indexed and SCI journals, authored numerous book chapters, and serves as editor of several international books published by leading world class publishers. Aseri previously interned with the Indian law enforcement agencies and was selected as a member of the United Nations Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) for the Internet Governance Forum. He has presented his research at more than 25 national and international conferences and is a recipient of the InSIG Fellowship (2022) and the Indian Police Foundation Law Enforcement Policing Fellowship (2024–2025). He is also an active member of professional organizations, including ACM, IEEE, and the Internet Society (ISOC).

Sudhanshu Shekher Tiwari is Assistant Director (Narcotics) at the Directorate of Forensic Science and Laboratory, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi. A forensic chemist with multidisciplinary expertise in narcotic drugs, forensic toxicology, and analytical chemistry, he has extensive experience in the scientific examination of cases, crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis, and expert testimony before courts of law. Before his current appointment, he served at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), Lovely Professional University, and Rashtriya Raksha University, where he contributed to forensic research, anti-doping science, teaching, and laboratory development. He has authored peer-reviewed publications and scholarly book chapters and has delivered invited lectures and professional training programmes for police officers, judicial officers, prosecutors, forensic scientists, and other criminal justice stakeholders across India. His research interests include forensic chemistry, forensic toxicology, narcotic drugs, anti-doping science, forensic nanotechnology, laboratory quality systems, and the interface between forensic science, law, and public policy.