Are you having a problem with Rohypnol (Roofies) or Ecstasy, ODV has the answer with specific field tests - call us for details on these new market break throughs.
The State of Georgia has instituted a program of testing for Marihuana that is unique within the United States. Many Departments have been utilizing the standard chemistry of the Duquenois-Levine Reagent (#908 NarcoPouch) as their sole method of testing and identifying Marihuana. In Georgia, they take two more important steps.
First, upon receiving a positive reaction from the Duquenois-Levine Reagent, they proceed to the Fast Blue Salts test or KN Reagent. KN is available in both the #7609 Narcotest (tube) and #909 NarcoPouch (pouch) configuration.
When using the KN reagent, you place a very small amount of suspect material in the test. Break the first ampoule and agitate for 30 seconds. Then proceed to the second ampoule, break and agitate the test. If Marihuana or Hashish is present, a dark tomato paste red will appear on the bottom layering of the test. Upon this second positive test, Georgia will then proceed with a microscopic inspection of the material.
This same procedure is being reviewed presently within the State of Alabama. To have Officers properly trained in identifying Marihuana and taking the Crime Lab out of the loop is a tremendous cost saving venture for the State. This procedure allows the Crime Scene Technicians additional time to work on more important cases and gives the individual Officers testing the material a greater sense of satisfaction in completing their own cases. For more information on the KN Reagent or samples for your jurisdictions to try, please contact us.
Speedballs have long been the dread of field officers trying to nail down what actual substances they may have. Since many officers use the Marquis Reagent as a general screening test, and sometimes the last test for a controlled substance, it is not uncommon to miss different substances or misinterpret the results you see.
One of the reasons for recommending officers use specific field tests for various substances is the increased accuracy these tests afford. For instance when you enter a speedball containing Heroin and Meth into a Marquis, you ask that test to turn both orange to purple for Heroin as well as orange to brown for Amphetamines/Meth. Obviously, one test cannot make two separate color changes at the same time. For this substance to be entered into a Mecke's for Heroin, you would see the green develop after breakage of the second ampoule. To enter this substance into the Meth test (923 or 7623), you would see the immediate dark blue color of Meth develop after breaking the last ampoule.
Always remember, to identify a specific substance you must use more specific chemistry. Often if you start with the Marquis, only take those results as initial findings and follow those up with a second test to confirm your initial suspicions. When you enter these speedball substances into specific tests, they ignore allsubstances except those for which they are designed to indicate.
Controlled substances are commonly found in liquid form. You may find either Hash Oil, PCP, or LSD. Cocaine is seen in liquid form for either transport or reduction into Crack. Heroin may be found as a liquid prior to injection.
How should you test these various liquids? The one cardinal rule is NEVER introduce liquids directly into the test. ALWAYS reduce liquids into a stable dried form prior to testing.
One of the most commonly asked questions by officers around the country is which test do I utilize to test a particular substance. The following chart helps to answer that question:
Substance |
NarcoPouch |
Narcotest |
| Cocaine HCl and Crack | 904B | 7613 |
| Marihuana/Hash/Hash Oil | 908 (or 909) | 7608 (0r 76099) |
| Heroine | 924 | 7624 |
| Amphetamine/Meth | 902 then 923 | 7602 then 7623 |
| LSD | 907 | 7607 |
| PCP/Methaqualone | 914 | 7614 |
| Valium/Rohypnol (Roofies) | 925 | 7625 |
| Ecstasy | 902 then 924 | 7602 then 7624 |
| Barbiturates | 905 | 7605 |
The easiest and most universal rule to follow is to moisten a small piece of porous paper with the suspected controlled substance. Air dry the paper for 30-45 seconds. Introduce this paper into the bottom of the test and proceed with the test like normal. Your test will now react the same as if you had entered powdered substance or more conventional testing material.
It is not uncommon to see Officers conduct field tests at their desks or general work areas. Usually these same areas contain some form of drink (coffee, soda, etc.) as well as potentially some food items. The imminent danger afforded this practice is too risky. Any small slip or transfer of the controlled substances to your food or drinks could lead to possible ingestion of these substances. This may subsequently result in a failure of upcoming urinalysis testing.
It is also commonplace to see Officers use personal items for the loading of the tests. These items can be anything from a pocket knife, keys or possibly a pen. Due to the obvious cross contamination personal items can cause from one case to another, never use these for the introduction of suspected controlled substances into field tests.
When Officers are loading these substances at their desks, they generally fail to take the necessary precautions of using disposable gloves. Due to the possible nicks or cuts on your hands and the possible transfer of substance to your face or mouth by handling substances, you should always use disposable gloves.
The recommended procedure would be for each Department to set up a separate field testing area. This can be as small as a 2' x 2' flat clean surface somewhere in the area where most field tests are conducted. Under this surface you would have shelves or drawers containing the field tests, disposable gloves, disposable loading devices (flat edge toothpicks), a cleaner for the top surface and neutralizer for the tests.
Now when an officer is going to perform a field test, he can go to a clean area to conduct the test. He can put on disposable gloves, conduct the test, neutralize and dispose of both the test, loading device and disposable gloves. This procedure follows much more accepted laboratory practices and satisfies the DA's and Courts over the concern for both Officer safety and test integrity.
The next time you run a cocaine field test in a Narcotest tube look closely....
Both Cocaine HCl and Crack leave "sticky" particles behind. Most noticeable in the tubes, this residue is a distinct component of the reaction. Potential false positive substances DO NOT do this.
Over the past number of years, Potassium chlorate has caused Officers concerns when it was used as a cutting agent with either Cocaine HCl or Heroin. Potentially, Potassium chlorate introduced into a sulfuric acid containing test like Marquis will cause the test pouches to expand rapidly and generate heat inside the pouch itself. We recommended following these steps when field testing all substances to ensure your safety.
1. Always load a SMALL amount of substance. Do Not Overload!
2. Always wear disposable gloves when field testing. If none are available, ensure that you do not handle the substances with your hands. Use some form of loading device that allows you not to handle the material.
3. When loading the test, DO NOT STAND directly over the substance and lower yourself to the material. Load the test from in front of you instead.
4. When breaking the ampoules, break them at arms length and at face level. Point the opening away from you and others.
If expansion or heat is noticed, simply VENT the test pouch by releasing the plastic safety closure clip to a 45 degree angle and allow the heat and gases to escape the pouch itself. NOTE: No toxic or nauseous gases will be developed due to the small amounts of solvents and reagents and small amount of sampling being used. Upon completion of the test, neutralize the pouch prior to disposal and place in a proper garbage disposal area.
The potential situation mentioned has only happened three times in the past ten years to the best of our knowledge, and no one has ever been badly burnt. However, the press this has gotten is in our opinion overstated and needed clarification. Three times in over twenty million tests makes this a very minor yet real concern. Common sense and not over- loading are the keys here and, for that matter, in all aspects of field testing drugs.
Call us if you would like more details.
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