تسجيل الدخول

تسجيل

Analysis of seized drugs

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  P58-59

2026-09-17

15

Analysis of seized drugs

Items suspected of containing drugs occur in four principal forms: powders; tablets and capsules; living plants or dried vegetable matter; and liquids. Examples of each have been shown above. Apart from situations in which the analyst has made extracts from clothing or other matrices, drugs encountered in liquid form could include solvents, aqueous solutions (e.g. GHB), injection solutions, alcoholic solutions (e.g. cocaine in liquor) and hash oil, many of which have a characteristic appearance or packaging. Powders are unlikely to show any clear visual clues to their identity and are often presented in paper or plastic wrapping, although when they are imported in bulk the type of packaging and appearance may be characteristic, particularly to the experienced analyst. Although the analytical approach to each may differ, there are six basic components, not all of which will be needed in every case:

• physical examination

• sampling • screening

 • qualitative analysis

• quantitative analysis

• profiling and/or comparison.

The particular techniques used depend on the available equipment, staff skills and objectives of the analysis, but there are certain minimum criteria that need to be satisfied, particularly when the results are presented as evidence in court. Figure 1 outlines the major steps for the analysis of an unknown substance.

Figure 1 Flowchart for the examination of an unknown substance.