EXAMINATION

OF
DANGEROUS DRUGS
EXAMINATION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS
-"drug testing is a form of forensic
testing.
-Drug test results issued should be
scientifically, legally and forensically
defensible."
DRUG IDENTIFICATION
 is a branch of forensic chemistry that deals with
the scientific examination of drugs and volatile
substances.
 Drug identification is usually conducted by
forensic chemist/chemical officer to determine
the presence of dangerous drug on submitted
specimens.
 The forensic chemist also conducts drug test on
body fluids of suspected drug pushers and users
to determine the presence of dangerous drug
metabolites.
 Paraphernalia like smoking pipes, tooters and
aluminum foils should also be submitted for
examination to determine the presence of
dangerous drugs.
FORMS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS
-drugs are in various forms.
-this includes tablets, capsules, liquid,
powder, brick or decks of marijuana,
crushed leaves and uprooted plants.
 EXAMINATION OF THE SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE
ALLEGED CONFISCATED DANGEROUS DRUGS

METHODS OF EXAMINATION
1.qualitative (characteristics)
2.quantitative (numerical data)
 STEPS COMMON TO QUALITATIVE AND
QUANTITATIVE METHODS
1.selection of method to be used
2.physical test
3.Sampling
4.sample preparation
5.chemical test
6.confirmatory test
7.calculation and interpretation of dates
8.drawing of conclusion and writing
report
 TWO PHASES IN THE EXAMINATION OF THE ALLEGED CONFISCATED DANGEROUS
DRUGS.
1.SCREENING TEST/PRELIMINARY TEST (color test).
 this test is non specific and preliminary in nature.
 It is employed to reduce the family or group of drug to small and

manageable number.
 Screening test includes a series of color tests producing characteristic

color for each family or group of drugs.

 This is done by adding specific reagent to unknown sample in a spot

plate.

CANNABIS: duquenois levin = violet

fast blue B salt =purple red

COCAINE: cobalt thiocyanate test or CT test = blue

scott test or modified CT test:
reagent 1 = blue
reagent 2 = pink
reagent 3 = blue
WAGNER TEST =brown (specific test for cocaine)

DIAZEPAM
zimmerman test = reddish purple or pink (some benzodiazepine derivative do not
give color with this test)
Hydrochloric acid=yellow
Vitali-morin test=yellow orange

OPIUM
marquis =violet
ferric sulfate = brownish purple
mecke = blue to green
nitric acid = orange to red to yellow

MORPHINE
marquis = violet to reddish purple

CODEINE
mecke = blue to green, nitric acid = orange to yellow

HEROIN
mecke = blue to green
nitric acid = yellow to green
DILLE-KOPPANYI TEST = reddish purple (for barbiturates)

METHAMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE
simon test = blue
marquis test = orange to brown

ECSTACY
simon test = blue

METHAQUALONE AND PHENCYCLIDINE

CT test = blue

LYSERGIDE OR LSD
ehrlich = violet

MESCALINE
marquis test= orange
liebermann = black
note:
 it must be noted that POSITIVE RESULTS of these

tests are not conclusive, as there are substances

that may give same positive color reaction/s
upon addition of the specific reagents.
 hence, confirmatory tests must be performed by

the forensic chemist/chemical officer on case to

establish the presence and identification of
dangerous drug.
 Only those specimens that yielded presumptive

results are subject to confirmatory test in order

to confirm if the positive result of the screening
test is really positive.
2.CONFIRMATORY TEST
-is the method employed to confirm the
results of the screening/preliminary test.
-This test involves the application of an
analytical procedure to identify the presence
of a specific drug or metabolites.
-This is independent of the screening test
and which uses techniques and chemical
principles different from that of the initial
test in order to ensure reliability and
accuracy.
METHODS USED IN THE CONFIRMATORY
TEST

CHROMATOGRAPHY
-Is the process of separating mixture
and comparing the migration of each
component with standard.
-Example gas chromatography, thin
layer chromatography, high pressure
liquid chromatography.
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
-It is a separate technique
-the mobile phase is a gas
-separation is based on the difference
in migration rates among sample
components.
SPECTROSCOPY
-A confirmatory method whereby light
is used to identify the sample
specimen.
FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED
SPECTROSCOPY (FTIR)
-Used for the identification of pure
organic substances, identifies organic
substances particularly dangerous
drugs and explosive ingredients based
on their characteristic functional
groups.
-in layman's term, the resulting
spectrum could be referred to as the
fingerprints of the substance.
ULTRA VIOLET VISIBLE SPECTROSCOPY
-Used for screening of dangerous
drugs in urine specimen.
 EXAMINATION OF THE URINE SPECIMEN
-The rate of excretion from the body
depends on the drug's solubility in fat.
-WATER SOLUBLE DRUGS (such as cocaine)
are excreted quickly, while FAT SOLUBLE
DRUGS (such as marijuana) may take
several weeks or months before excretion.
-Drug test must be conducted to
apprehend individual who is suspected to
be a user and to those who are charged
with the offense of illegal use of
dangerous drugs.
VALIDITY TEST FOR URINE SPECIMEN
-Validity test is conducted to determine
the integrity of the samples.

REASONS FOR CONDUCTING VALIDITY

TEST
-In cases of unobserved urine
collection and when there is suspicion
that the urine specimen has been
tampered.
 INSTANCES WHEN TO ALLOW UNOBSERVED
URINE SPECIMEN COLLECTION
-when donor is physically unable to go to the
laboratory
-when the donor is involved in a crime scene
-when the donor is involved in post accident
trauma
-when donor is critically ill
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF TAMPERED URINE SPECIMEN

ADULTERATED
-a specimen containing either substance that is not a normal
constituent for that type of specimen or containing an
endogenous substance at
a concentration that is not a normal physiological concentration.
-Donor may tamper or manipulate a urine specimen.

DILUTED
-refers to a specimen with less than normal physiological
constituents.
-Isn’t a complete wash.

SUBSTITUTED
-specimen which has been derived through switching or
replacement of the original sample.
WAYS TO ADULTERATE URINE SAMPLES
-addition of salt
-addition of juice
-addition of detergent
-addition of bleach and other oxidizing
adulterants
-addition of illicit drugs
WAYS TO SUBSTITUTE A URINE SAMPLES
-Urine from friends or other persons
not using drugs may be used as a
substitute specimen
-replace sample with other substance
similar to urine in appearance.
 WAYS TO DILUTE A URINE SPECIMEN

INTERNAL
- intake plenty of water before
collection or drinking of herbal tea.

EXTERNAL
- addition of water to previously
collected urine.
WHEN DO WE CONSIDER A URINE
SPECIMEN AS INVALID
-Adulterated, substituted or diluted,
-improperly collected, handled and
stored
-improperly documented
 AMPING
TA
SA
KANUNAY…..