EXPERIMENT 2-MIDTEM

NAME: __________________________________________ DATE___________________

GROUP No. ______________________________________ Time Start:______________

ACTIVITY NO.04
FORMS OF PHYSICAL DRUG EVIDENCE
(The 5 P’s and E)

“Is my specimen powder or pill?”

Analysis of materials suspected to be or to contain controlled substances represents

the largest portion of the workload in most forensic laboratories. When suspected
controlled substances are submitted as physical evidence (exhibits), the forensic chemist
must identify and in some cases must quantify the controlled substances present. The most
common drug evidence seen can be summarized as the five “P’s” with “E”: Powder, plant
matter, pill, precursors, paraphernalia and Essential Chemicals. Powders include colored
powders from crystalline white to resinous brown. Typical plant matter exhibits are
marijuana, mushrooms, and cactus buttons. Pills, such as prescription medications are
clandestinely synthesized tablets. Precursors are compounds or materials used in the
clandestine synthesis of drugs which also includes essential chemicals under RA9165.
Paraphernalia are the elements and equipment used in the preparation and ingestion of
drugs.

I. Materials:

Masking tape or scotch tape, scissors, colored pens and paper bags.

Instructor should provide the drug physical evidence or just a representation.

II. Objective

To classify the different forms of physical drug evidence.

III. Procedure:

1. Obtain the sample from your instructor.

2. Do the ocular inspection.
3. Document the physical drug evidence and this time, make your own markings on
each specimen you have described.
4. Classify each sample according to its form.
5. Record your observations on the table below and answer the succeeding
questions.

OABEL 1
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Sampl Description Form

e No. (the way you described it in Activity no. 2) (5P & E)

OABEL 2
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OABEL 3
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10

11

12

NOTE: See samples below.

OABEL 4
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Marijuana acetone

OABEL 5
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Hydrochloric acid marijuana cigarette

Cocaine lighter

OABEL 6
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Syringe morphine IV

OABEL 7
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Toother talampunay

OABEL 8
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Aluminum foil ecstasy

OABEL 9
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1. Summary:
How many samples represent
a. Powder = ______________
b. Pill = _______________
c. Paraphernalia = _______________
d. Plant matter = _______________
e. Precursor = _______________
f. Essential Chemicals = _______________

2. Which Law prohibits drug abuse?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

3. Why is it important that investigators should and can identify the different form of
physical drug evidence?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________
Time/ Date Completed: ________________

Essential chemicals
In counterdrug operations, compounds that are required in the synthetic or extraction
processes of drug production, but in most cases do not become part of the drug
molecule. Essential chemicals are used in the production of cocaine or heroin.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.

Precursor
recursor chemicals, also known as scheduled substances or drug precursors, are
chemicals that are known to be used in the illegal manufacture of narcotic drugs and
psychoactive substances. These precursor chemicals also have legitimate commercial
uses and are legally used in a wide variety of industrial processes and consumer
products, such as medicines, flavourings and fragrances.  

OABEL 10