Controlled Substances

The JCSOCL Controlled Substances section tests a variety of evidentiary items for the presence of controlled substances and their synthetic precursors. Items tested include powders, liquids, plant material, pills, capsules, pipes and other various forms of paraphernalia.

Analysts routinely confirm substances such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids and bath salts, while also confirming lesser known designer drugs, steroids and final product and precursor components from suspected clandestine laboratories. Analysts rely on Kansas and Federal statutes to determine whether or not an encountered substance is controlled. While some substances found on the street may possess abuse potential, they may not be controlled and thus not subject to prosecution under the law.
Analysts in the section use state-of-the-art scientific methodology and instrumentation to positively confirm the presence of controlled substances. These techniques include presumptive color tests, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and LC/MS/MS. Analysts also work closely with police investigative units and the District Attorney’s Office to provide research into new drugs of abuse for statute revisions and expedited testing for search warrants.

Drugs statistics from this section are reported monthly to the DEA National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS). NFLIS systematically collects results from drug chemistry analyses conducted by state and local forensic laboratories across the country. It is a unique source of information for monitoring and understanding drug abuse and trafficking in the United States, including the diversion of legally manufactured drugs into illegal markets. 
 
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