[SmileyMan]

Hello,

I am writing a paper on the prevention of date rape in which a drug wipe product is used:

Drug wipe contains a Wiping Element with a fleece collection pad that is "swiped"across surfaces to collect samples.  Once the samples are collected, the device's Absorbant Pad is dipped in water for 15 seconds.  Capillary action draws the collected sample through the device into the Detection Element.  During this process, any molecules of illegal narcotics which are present bind with drug-specific antibodies.  This process virtually eliminates the possibility of false-positive results.  When illegal narcotics are present in the sample, a red indicator line appears in the Read Out Window showing which drugs, if any, are present.

On the integral immuno assay strips are gold labeled antibodies, which bind to components of the different drugs. If these drug components are picked up from the surface, sweat, or the saliva of the test person, they bind with the specific gold labeled antibody. This new particle flows along the chemical strip and appears in the read out window to cause a color change of the read out line for that particular drug.

I would greatly appreciate your help determining the chemical composition of the benzodiazepines-indicating anti-bodies in the detection element, the steps of the reaction that takes place between Rohypnol and the anti-bodies and finally how it all ultimately results in a red stripe in the Read Out. These things are fundamental in my paper, but my relatively low proficiency in chemistry means that I need help from experts.

The reason I need to know these things is because one of my classes is a kind of innovations class, and I have chosen to re-work the drugwipe for a clubbing environment and integrate the detection element of it into an attachment for glasses for the purpose of preventing date rape by notifying the drinker.

To summarize my questions:
What antibodies react with Rohypnol/Flunitrazepam? What antibodies do you think are used in this product? The sensitivity of my prefered product (Securetec's DrugWipe) is 5ng/ml.
How does the product of their reaction cause a change of the red read out line - ie. what makes it appear? Is the product of the Rohypnol-antibody reaction itself red?

I have contacted all of the producing firms that I have been able to find, but they have either not responded or not been of any help at all, so you are my last chance.

Best regards,
Kaspar H.

PS. Please let me know if there are any shortcomings in my thread and if you need more information to help me; I will try my best provide it.