Summonsing all Drug Gurus

[TryingtogetCPD]

I am trying to piece together my thesis here for my degree, and I need some help from the Drug guys/gals out there. I'm trying to find out what chemical reactants are used to do field testing for methamphetamine. I know in my old department, the Narcs used to have those mysterious little vials that magically turned drugs different colors to positively ID them. With such a huge back up in crime labs nowadays and the ever-inclining numbers in people who use methamphetamine in all its forms, how are law enforcement reps at every level supposed to be able to move cases along when they are waiting for lab results? Are there "field" kits out there for meth? If so, how are they used? Is it similar to testing cocaine? I've been able to find quite a bit of information on everything else I need, but this seems to be the only part that is really kind of vague. Thank you guys for all your help, I know I can count on some great feedback.

[FTK]

I would suggest contacting the following companies for the info you are looking for:

NIK Public Safety, Inc. 1-904-471-5400

BVDA @ http://www.bvda.com/EN/sect9/en_9_3a.html

[dmclark]

Most agencies use the NIK test kits from Becton Dickenson. The Marquis Reagent test in the NIK kits test for heroin AND methamphetimine plus some others.

This a presumptive field test that gives field officers reasonable suspicion that the powder in question is a controlled substance. Lab results will then be ordered to determine drug type, purity, diluents and weight.

Take a look at their test kits for a variety of drugs. Meth is Test Kit A. I prefer this over the Test Kit U as it gives eliminates multiple drugs and is not just for meth or amphetimines.

http://www.tritechusa.com/NIK/nik_presumptive_drug_testing_kit.htm

Also, good UC agent who knows the street can also "field test" meth using a folded piece of foil and a lighter. DM