Abstract
The main focus of this chapter is on the examination of evidence to prove the Red Phosphorus-HI Method of illicit methamphetamine production; however, the science and analytical techniques discussed have applications in the analysis of most drugs and trace evidence. Examination procedures include pH testing; solubility tests; flame test; identification of elements (sodium and lithium); sublimation; starch test; chloroform test; silver nitrate test; examination of acidic, basic, and neutral layers of biphasic solutions; examination of stains and washes; and GCMS analysis. The significance and role of each test in the identification process are discussed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Suggested Reading
Allen, A. C.; Kiser, W. O. Methamphetamine from Ephedrine: Chloroephedrine and Aziridine. J. Forensic Sci. 1987, 32, 953–962.
Audier, E.; Millet, A.; Sozzi, G. Mass Spectra of Amphetamine and Related Compounds. Org. Mass Spectrum. 1984, 19, 522–523.
California Department of Justice. Technical Procedures for Controlled Substance Analysis. California Department of Justice: Sacramento, 2006.
Christian, D. R. Jr. Analysis of Controlled Substances. In Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques, 2nd ed.; James, S. H., Nordby, J. J., Eds.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2005.
Christian, D. R. Jr. Forensic Investigation of Clandestine Laboratories; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2005.
Davenport, T. W.; Allen, A. C.; Cantrell, T. S. Synthetic Reductions in Clandestine Amphetamine and methamphetamine Laboratories: A Review. Forensic Sci. Int. 1989, 42, 183–199.
Goddard, K. Clandestine Operations. Presented at 37th Semiannual Seminar of the California Association of Criminalists, Newport Beach, CA, 1971.
McKibben, T. et al. Analysis of Inorganic Components Found in Clandestine Drug Laboratory Evidence. J. Clandestine Lab. Investigating Chemists Assoc. 1995, 5, 19–33.
Rasmussen, K. E.; Knutsen, P. Techniques for the Detection and Identification of Amphetamines and Amphetamine-Like Substances. UN Bull Narcotics. 1985, 37, 95–112.
United Nations Division of Narcotic Drugs. Rapid Testing Methods of Drugs of Abuse. United Nations: New York, 1988.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Khan, J.I., Kennedy, T.J., Christian, D.R. (2012). Examination of Clandestine Evidence. In: Basic Principles of Forensic Chemistry. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-437-7_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-437-7_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-934115-06-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-437-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)