Drug Chemistry

The drug chemistry section analyzes evidence seized in the enforcement of state and federal laws. The scientists in this section qualitatively identify controlled substances within the evidence submitted to them. The evidence is submitted by various local and federal law enforcement agencies in Allegheny County and the Office of the Medical Examiner. The section works closely with overdose task forces and darknet task forces within Allegheny County.

Analyses

When evidence is received in the section, it is inventoried, weighed and subjected to both presumptive and confirmatory testing. Presumptive tests include colorimetric tests and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Confirmatory testing is completed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The combination of results will allow the scientist to identify a substance and determine if the substance is controlled or non-controlled. A report of findings is issued to the submitting agency. The report is required for continuance of the case through the court system. The scientist may be called to testify as an expert witness.

Results

Each year approximately 6,000 cases of suspected controlled substances are submitted to the drug chemistry forensic lab for analysis. The majority of these cases are concluded to be fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base (crack), and Cannabis sativa.

Qualifications

The scientists in this section participate in various proficiency programs on an annual basis. Some of the scientists are certified by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC). In addition, members of the section participate in professional organizations such as the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists (CLIC) Association, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS), and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).