ODV's #23 Methamphetamine Test receives wide raves as a fast and reliable method to identify Methamphetamine - its water based chemistry is SAFE and RELIABLE
The following is reprinted from Narcotics Enforcement & Prevention Digest 3918 Prosperity Ave., Suite 318 Fairfax, VA 22031-3334 Tel: 1-800-422-WCNS
Police officers have relied on the Marquis test kit to presumptively identify drugs in the field for a number of years. This test is effective for the indication of heroin and amphetamine/methamphetamine.
The Marquis, however, has some drawbacks:
Our laboratory was involved in just such an occurrence when a reactive compound was sold to an undercover agent as ephedrine. After the incident, the laboratory removed the Marquis tests from the department's field testing program. This did cause a problem since methamphetamine is very prevalent and a field test or admission is required for booking in our jurisdiction. To solve our field problem, we initiated a search for another field test.
The laboratory has always used the sodium nitroprusside test as a second color test for methamphetamine. This test has been demonstrated to be an excellent indicator of secondary amines. It also is extremely sensitive and the resultant blue color reaction is very quick and intense. Traditionally, the major drawback to this test for field use was its sensitivity to light and heat-a major problem in Arizona with over 300 days of sunshine per year and temperatures which are often above 100° F. Making the reagent in the lab and encouraging field personnel to keep it refrigerated proved to be an unsatisfactory solution.
We contacted ODV Inc., a company that manufactures various field testing reagents including the Marquis. They initially were skeptical about the sodium nitroprusside test having sufficient shelf life but were willing to try and allow us to experiment with them.
The first kits worked extremely well and required a small amount of sample. ODV was again contacted and asked to produce approximately 100 field kits that could be evaluated by our field drug testing officers. The kit initially worked extremely well and our officers were pleased with the results. At the end of this approximate two-month evaluation period officers began experiencing problems with the kits not reacting. ODV was again contacted and a more in-depth research project was initiated.
Formulations were changed and evaluated over the next year. The final formulation provides significant shelf life. The new formulation has been employed successfully for over a year and a half in our rather severe environment without any problem. We've concluded that ODV has produced a sensitive and stable field test kit for methamphetamine.
Historically, jurisdictions have been utilizing the Marquis Reagent as a method of presumptively identifying both Amphetamine and Methamphetamine substances. Unfortunately, Marquis is not capable of making the important differentiation between these two substances either with regard to the color or to the speed of the reaction. ODV has stabilized the accepted Methamphetamine confirming test Sodium Nitroprusside so jurisdictions can now differentiate between these substances by using the Marquis and Methamphetamine Reagents in sequence.
The recommended method of testing is as follows:
We strongly recommend the use of the Marquis Reagent followed by the Meth Reagent to eliminate any possible false positive readings.
If your jurisdiction would like to receive samples of this test for evaluation purposes, we encourage you to call us at 1-800-852-0300.
Rohypnol® (Roche) or Roofies (street name) has become a more and more troubling substance on the streets of America. First discovered in the West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale areas of Florida, this strong Valium-type substance has become the date rape drug of choice. Rohypnol (Row-hip'-nol) is normally found in tablet form. Unlike Valium which maintains 2%, 5% and 10% tablet strengths, Roofies have a potency of almost 50%. These tablets are being ground into powder or reduced to liquid in small vials. Men are then spiking women's drinks with the mixture. The women will start to feel drowsy and by the time they get to their cars, they have lost almost all consciousness. The men then rape these women with the results being almost no memory recall by the victim.
As with all tablets, you should first reduce the tablet to powder if it is not already in that form. If the roofie is found in liquid form, air dry a small amount on the corner of a piece of porous paper. Then introduce either the powder or dried paper to a Valium test kit #7625 Tube or #925 Pouch. Break the two ampoules in the standard manner. If Rohypnol is present, a lavender color will develop. Even though Roofies are found most prominently in night clubs, we have also found them in high schools around the country. Most notably Tulsa, Oklahoma has experienced a number of cases in the area high schools. If you have suspected Rohypnol, you can now field test for the substance.
Many officers around the country ask us the question during Certification training seminars, "How can I make the test more sensitive since the levels of purity of these substances vary so much on the street?" After much testing, we have determined a way for officers to make the Pouch configuration react better. This method was discovered by taking some of the properties of the tube style tests and applying them to the pouch. When we introduce a small amount of material into the tubes, this material is confined into a restricted area, and the reagent is also confined in this same area. This causes the tube to appear to be more sensitive than the pouch counterpart. We can simulate this same restricted area within the pouches. By tapping the pouch on a solid surface at a 45 degree angle and holding it that way throughout the testing process, all of the reaction takes place in a more confined area. This will allow the substance and the chemistry to react in a more confined area as opposed to being spread throughout the large volume of the pouch. When you break the ampoules while maintaining the 45° angle, the test will perform much better. This method will be especially valuable when testing Cocaine HCl. By concentrating the substance in the bottom corner of the pouch, you will see a marked improvement in your results.
For years, officers have complained about using field tests in low light situations, or learning the testing methods from other officers who may not have been certified in the correct use of the field tests. ODV has made three major improvements in the pouches for your convenience.
1. Silk screened the back of all pouches white so the colors will better be displayed both during daytime and nighttime use.
2. Numbered the front of each multiple ampoule pouch either 1-2 or 1-2-3 to ensure officers break the correct ampoules in order.
3. Above each number is a circle showing the required colorimetric reaction for that ampoule. A circle with a clear center indicates no color reaction is required. If a particular color is shown within the circle, you know what color to be looking for in a positive reaction.
For many years, officers have been using the Nitric Acid Reagent as both a confirming test for Heroin as well as a confirming test for Amphetamines and Methamphetamine. Due to the highly caustic nature of Nitric Acid and the obvious danger this substance presents to officer's exposed skin, we strongly recommend very limited use of any Nitric Acid.
The best tests for Heroin are currently to use #902 (7602) Marquis Reagent as a general screening test. If the colorimetric reaction is purple, immediately proceed to the specific Heroin test of #924 (7624) Mecke's Reagent. There is no need to use the Nitric Acid unless you need to distinguish Heroin from Morphine. That has not become such an issue within the United States as is in Europe.
With the development of the new Meth test #923 (7623), we have nearly eliminated Nitric Acid as a differentiating test. The color difference within Nitric Acid was so slight that officers have great difficulty in reliably telling the difference between Amphetamine and Meth. This was one of the reasons for the strong acceptance of the new #923 Meth test.
For your officers safety, please try to limit their exposure to the Nitric Acid Reagent.
Submission of ideas for consideration: Do you have an article of interest or a question for us? Give us a call at 1-800-852-0300 and we will be happy to include it next time.
ODV, Inc. - 13386 International Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 U.S.A.
©1997 ODV, Inc. All rights reserved.