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31 Dec 99 ‑ 6 Apr 10

1999 2000

ODV, Inc. Spring 1999 - Sixth Edition
Field Tests as Court Evidence?
Commonly, Officers ask the question, can we take the used field tests into Court as evidence? The answer is a definite NO.
Field tests are designed to confirm your other probable cause evidence. The color reactions of the field tests do not remain
stable for long periods of time, therefore, you are better off simply taking good notes on exactly what procedures you
followed and what color reactions you received. In addition, many of the more popular tests like Marijuana, Cocaine, Crack
and Heroin are multiple ampoule tests. If you were to retain the test, you would still have to explain what reactions you
received on the first or second ampoules. Hence, good notes are still the best protocol.
Finally, whether you use tubes or pouches, storing these tests for long periods of time in evidence lockers can result in
leakage or leaching out of the original containers. However, all arguments still revert to the colors developed in a field test
are designed to give you a positive or negative result within 60 seconds of the breakage of each ampoule. The colors
remaining in the test package minutes, hours or days later mean nothing and should not be submitted as evidence.
To assist departments in presenting their cases more accurately to the courts, ODV, with the assistance of the Las Vegas
Police Department has designed a generic checklist form for the main controlled substances. These checklists cover a step
by step instruction of the individual test and confirm the positive or negative results. A copy of this form can then be
submitted with the evidence sample to the crime lab and the charges to the district attorney's office. With this form having
been completed, a DA can then feel more comfortable that the proper controls were followed and the results of the field test
given more weight.
A number of jurisdictions in the United States (Las Vegas, New York City, etc.) currently use forms similar to these. Due to
the extensive training programs these departments have instituted and efforts to work with their courts, the heavy workload
formerly placed on the crime laboratories for analysis has been greatly reduced.
For copies of these checklists for consideration by your jurisdiction, please contact Sandra Pendexter at 1-888-399-9349.
Why is Heroin Testing So Sensitive?
We are constantly asked why Brown and Black Tar Heroin are so difficult to identify within the field tests? There are a
number of factors that enter into this difficulty:
Which specific field test are you using for identification purposes
How much sample are you using when field testing
Mecke's Reagent (specific) vs. Marquis Reagent (general)
For many years Narcotics Officers have relied heavily on the Marquis Reagent. This test has long been designed as a
General Screening test, but used as a specific field test. Even though it has done fairly well in identifying standard White
Heroin, it has had problems in leading Officers to believe they had an Opiate when no Opiate was present. The Marquis has
tremendous difficulty in identifying the Opiates in either Brown or Black Tar Heroin.
By using specific chemistry (the Mecke's Reagent #924 pouch or #7624 tube), you follow the same principals you are
currently following in the identification of Cocaine (specific test) and Marijuana (specific test). For all other substances, we
do not allow a General Screening test to act as the be and end all of our field testing.
How much sample do we need for Heroin?
If you use the specific chemistry of Mecke's, the general rule is the amount of substance to fill this circle O will suffice. Do
not overload the test. The less material used the better. Bear in mind the colors of Heroin will affect the color reaction within
the field test.
If you were to think in terms of dissolving Heroin in water, you will see the following reactions:

 White Heroin - would turn clear in water
Brown Heroin - would turn a tan to brown color in water
Black Tar Heroin - would turn a very dark brown to black color in water
Therefore, if you then dissolve these same compounds in either the Marquis or the Mecke's test you will have the same resin
colors filtering through the desired color changes. In the Marquis we want a Purple. This color deepens with Brown and
Black Tar Heroin to almost a Black color making the reading of the test very difficult. However, when you use a small
sampling in the Mecke's, neither the Brown nor Black Tar Heroin will destroy the desired Green color Heroin produces. If
you have a distinct Heroin problem in your jurisdiction, the Mecke's Reagent will help you identify all forms of this Opiate.
It is much easier to use and much more reliable than the standard Marquis Reagent. If you require a sample for test and
evaluation purposes, please contact our office at 1-888-399-9349.
Violent Reactions within Field Tests
As we go around the country doing Certification seminars, we are constantly asked about the violent reactions Officers see
within selected field tests. Though the number of violent reactions are very few in comparison to the tests used, this issue
still does require addressing.
The number one problem in causing violent reactions is the overloading of the field tests. With the exceptions of Marijuana
(3 to 4 strands of material) and Cocaine HCl (requiring slightly more substance than other powders), the amount of material
to fill this circle O is sufficient to operate a field test. Any more material may cause the various reagents to react in a
potential violent nature.
It has also been seen where certain dangerous substances are added to common controlled substances with the intention of
creating violent reactions within field tests. This is designed for the intentional injury of Undercover or Narcotics Officers.
As violent as this reaction could be, it can be greatly reduced by Officers always following the cardinal rule to field
testing: The less substance being tested the better the color reactions and the less opportunity for any negative
reaction to occur.
When field testing, always concentrate on the job at hand. If expansion or heat were to develop, simply slide the safety
closure clip to a 45° angle, allow for the escape of the heat and/or gases, slide the safety clip back to full closure, and
continue testing. DO NOT PANIC! With the amounts of reagents placed within the ampoules, you will not receive any toxic
or noxious fumes from the pouches. As you become comfortable using less substance when field testing, you will be
rewarded with much better color results.
Shelf Life and Storage of Narcotic Field Tests
A commonly asked question during our training sessions throughout the United States is what is the shelf life of the field
tests and is there a correct storage procedure. Even though ODV guarantees the product for one (1) year from the date of
purchase (both the pouch and tube style tests), the life of the product is generally much longer.
Two factors seriously dictate the shelf life:
How quickly the chemistry is sealed into ampoules after mixing
Correct storage techniques
ODV is fortunate in being the only manufacturer who physically mixes the chemistry, fills the ampoules and assembles the
tests themselves. Due to all manufacturing steps being controlled in-house, the shelf life is lengthened by our diligence in
ensuring all chemistry is quickly sealed. We control all handling of the chemistry to further secure the integrity of the
product. The Marijuana field test (Duquenois-Levine) is one of the most sensitive tests to loading times, but one that has
allowed for some of our greatest shelf life due to the quick loading procedures.
The single most damaging element to all tests is ultraviolet rays (direct sunlight). Field tests can be stored without concern
in any container (desks, briefcases, cabinets, glove compartments or vehicle trunks) but must avoid at all costs direct
sunlight like the front or back seat of a vehicle as well as near windows.
In certain cold climate areas the liquid within the ampoules may freeze. To make the tests functional, you simply must hold
the test until the frozen substance has again returned to liquid and proceed as normal. A cold test will simply show the color
reactions slower than a room temperature test.

 Disposal of Field Tests
How does your Department dispose of used tests? Do they simply throw them into the nearest garbage disposal, or . . .
Heaven Forbid . . . do they throw them out of the squad car windows into ditches. Over the years we have heard of a number
of incorrect disposal methods. We recommend that you first neutralize, then dispose of the test in a standard waste disposal
at the Department.
We recommend Officers follow these simple instructions:
1. Always use disposable gloves.
2. Upon completion of the test, open the pouch and introduce ° tablespoon of acid neutralizer (soda ash ODV
#910 or baking soda readily purchased from the grocery store).
3. Allow the neutralizer to work with the top of the pouch off for two (2) minutes.
4. Reseal the pouch.
5. Holding the pouch in your hand, pull the disposable glove inside out so the pouch is now contained inside the
glove.
6. Dispose of the spent glove and pouch in a Department garbage can.
Submission of ideas for consideration:
Do you have an article of interest or a question for us? Give us a call at 1-800-422-3784 and we will be happy to include it
next time.
©1999 ODV, Inc. All rights reserved.