Objective To establish a method for the identification of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N- methylcathinone (βk-MDMA) by FTIR, GC-MS and LTQ-Orbitrap. Method Samples were analyzed by FTIR, GC-MS and high resolution mass spectrometry. MDMA was used as internal standard. Results FTIR spectrum of βk-MDMA has characteristic absorption peaks at 1 679 (C=O bond), 1 603, 1 502, 1 453, 1 423, 1 259, 1 121, 1 090, 1 035, 930, 887, 838, 768, 742 and 717 cm-1. The characteristic fragment ions of βk-MDMA (m/z 58.1, 91.0, 120.9, 149.0 and 207.0) were detected by EI-MS and the accurate mass of [M+H]+ was m/z 208.0966 detected by ESI-Orbitrap MS. βk-MDMA is a controlled drug in some EU countries. The emergence of new synthetic cathinones should be paid close attention by our police and drug control departments. Conclusion The method is suitable for the identification of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone.