Scientific Technical Manual, Used for Conducting Chemical Field Tests for the Detection of Opiates (Heroin, Morphine and Codeine)

Abstract

During the process of seizure or discovery of substances of dubious identity, one must proceed immediately to clarify their nature. This aspect frames the importance of the reliability of the various field tests used for the preliminary identification of substances that are applied to various materials. The proper use of the different tests facilitates orientation on the identity of the confiscated materials; opinion that obviously must be supported by criteria of drug trafficking models.

Due to the foregoing and due to the increase in the traffic of illicit substances in Guatemala, this manual was prepared to facilitate the detection of opiate-type drugs, such as heroin, morphine and codeine and, if necessary, the raw opium.

The main objective was to technically and graphically document the color results obtained by the reagents of Marquis, Mecke, Nitric Acid and Froehdes (used as commercial field test kits for the identification of opiates). All this, in order to establish the reliability of the results obtained preliminarily by said commercial kits.