drug analysis

Evidentiary trail / COC

Refers to the sequence of handling evidence: Agency collects evidence and writes a request; Lab's P&E is involved; Analyst and lockers are used; Analysis is performed; and finally, there is a return and report. (COC stands for Chain of Custody, implied by the process described).

Notes

Required documentation in the analysis process, including notes on packaging and contents, as well as marking the case number, initials, and date. The color and shape of the item itself provide the first clues in identification.

Preliminary test

A required step in analysis. This test is usually colorimetric.

Confirmatory test

A required step in analysis. This test is usually instrumental.

Colorimetric test

The method usually used for the preliminary test.

Acidic extract and Basic extract

Extraction methods performed when analyzing unknown drugs before running the samples on GC/MS.

Instrumental analysis

Confirmatory test method. It is performed on controlled drugs. Examples include GC/FID, GC/MS, and FTIR.

GC/MS (Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry)

A type of instrumental analysis performed on controlled drugs. Used to run acidic and basic extracts for unknowns.

GC/FID (Gas Chromatography / Flame Ionization Detector)

A type of instrumental confirmatory test.

Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy - Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR)

An instrumental technique where a light source projects light onto a beam splitter and mirror setup, allowing various wavelengths to 'energize' the sample. It measures how much of each wavelength is absorbed between bonds.

Marijuana Analysis

Makes up over half of all drug cases. It is easy to identify visually and by smell, and often with paraphernalia.

Marijuana Visual ID (Microscopic)

Visual identification under a microscope involves observing the dark green upper side and light green lower side of the leaf, 'bear claw' hairs on the upper side, and 'arm hair' like hairs on the lower side.

Cystoliths

Mentioned in the context of marijuana analysis.

Duquenois-Levine color test

A specific color test for marijuana. A positive result is purple after the reagent is added. A subsequent positive result involves the purple color extracting down into the chloroform layer, causing a purple or pink color.

Controlled drug

A type of drug that requires instrumental analysis (GC/MS or FTIR).

Non-controlled drug

A type of drug that is reported out as a negative result following analysis.

Novel Drugs

New drugs that occasionally emerge, such as spice, carfentanil, or bath salts, which usually only give negative preliminary tests while waiting for laws to catch up.

Cocaine Base

A drug identified in a source example with a 96.75% match, analyzed using an ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection) neat sample extract.