Forensic Drug Chemistry and White Powder Identification Experiment

The forensic drug chemist routinely examines unknown white powders for the presence of controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Sometimes the white powder is determined to be a common non-controlled substance found in most household kitchens.

In this experiment you will perform a series of tests on some of the white powders commonly encountered in the crime laboratory. You will distinguish each of the powders based upon the differences in physical and chemical properties.