Heroin paraphernalia

Paraphernalia associated with the use of heroin may also be encountered. These items include metal spoons, materials nsed in the process of dissolntion and heating heroin (candles, foil, etc.), materials nsed to filter the dissolved samples, snch as cotton wool, and items used for the injection of the solnbilized prodnct. All such materials should be treated with care due to the problems associated with needle-borne diseases. 

Heroin can be encountered in the form of powder samples and as residues on the paraphernalia used for its administration and on the equipment involved in its mixing, cutting and distribution. Heroin is the mixture of products formed when morphine is extracted from the dried latex of the field poppy, purified (often incompletely) and then subsequently acetylated to form diamorphine, the target drug. 

The analysis of materials suspected to be or to contain controlled substances represents the largest portion of the workload in most forensic laboratories. When suspected controlled substances are submitted as physical evidence (exhibits), the forensic chemist must identify and, in some cases, quantify the controlled substances present. The most common forms of drug evidence seen can be summarized as the "five P s" powders, plant matter, pills, precursors, and paraphernalia. Powders include colored powders from crystalline white to resinous brown, and many, such as heroin and cocaine, are derived directly or indirectly from plants. Many powders are oily and odiferous, while some can be described (unofficially and informally) as goo. Hashish, a concentrated form of marijuana, lies between plant and powder. Typical plant matter exhibits are marijuana, mushrooms, and cactus buttons. As biological evidence, plant matter must be stored properly to prevent rotting and degradation prior to analysis failure to do so can generate the aforementioned goo. 

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