The Chemistry Unit analyzes and identifies any controlled substances submitted as evidence to the laboratory.

The Chemistry Unit analyzes and identifies any controlled substances submitted as evidence to the laboratory. Illegal drugs may be presented in powders, solid materials, liquids, blotter papers, capsules, tablets, pharmaceutical preparations, and plant material. Common drugs analyzed in the section are cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, oxycodone and MDMA. The chemist confirms the identification of the substances using instrumentation available within the unit, including Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometers (GC/MS), a Gas Chromatograph/Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrometer and an Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer. Emerging trends in the clandestine drug world constantly require the unit to create new methods of identification.