FORENSICS: WHITE POWDERS-A lab on Standardized Tests Used to I.D. Unknown Substances
NAME:
BELL:
DATE:
WHITE POWDERS-A lab on Standardized Tests Used to I.D. Unknown Substances
Objectives:



To perform a series of tests to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of several unknown
powders.
You will utilize your test results to identify an unknown substance.
You will execute the lab in such a way as to minimize the amount of contamination.
Background Information
The Erlanger correctional facility has a drug problem. Over the past year, illegal drugs have
been seized from prisoner cells on 5 occasions. All of these illegal drugs are white powders that look
remarkably like table salt. During a recent cell search, investigators collected several Ziploc bags filled
with a white powder. Before charges can be pressed on the individual in possession, the identity of the
powders must be established.
You are a member of a forensic science lab team that has been sent to Erlanger correctional
facilitiy. A temporary lab facility has been prepared at the jail. The unknown white powders are
delivered to you in the lab so you can determine their identity.
Due to limitations in equipment at the prison, you have been asked to use a simple series of
tests to determine the identity of the powders. To enable you to do this, 5 known white powders have
been provided. You will run tests on each of the 5 known powders and record your results. Later you
will compare results with those from tests of unknown powders collected during locker seizures. Your
findings will determine the charges (if any) brought against the prisoners in possession of drugs.
A brief overview of the white powders previously discovered at Erlanger correctional facility includes the
following:
Brogaine – a mild hallucinogen. 1st offense is usually probation
Rotaran – a strong stimulant: causes physical dependence. 1st offense results in 1-3 years in prison.
Barrop – a moderate depressant: causes physical dependence. 1st offense results in 1-3 years in
prison.
Lixonin – a strong narcotic opiod that causes physical and psychological dependence. 1st offense can
result in 5-10 years in prison.
FORENSICS: WHITE POWDERS-A lab on Standardized Tests Used to I.D. Unknown Substances
NAME:
BELL:
DATE:
Materials:
5 white powders
A
B
C
D
F
Brogaine
Rotaran
Barrop
Lixonin
Table
Salt
Scoopula
Hand lens
black paper
5 - Aluminum foil squares
2x2
Hot Plates
Lugol's solution
Dilute Acetic Acid
Distilled water
cell well plate
10 toothpicks
unknown sample
medicine cup
Procedure:
Part A:Developing a positive test for the 5 known powders
1. Gather all your materials except for Lugol’s solution and acetic acid. These you will have to
share and use at the central lab station.
2. Place a small amount of sample A on the black paper and observe its appearance with a hand
lens. Rinse and dry your scoopula. Record your results. Be very specific. Describe it with at
least 3-4 words. Repeat for all the samples and record in the data sheet. Rinse and dry your
scoopula after every sample!!
3. Place a small amount of sample A in a well. Add 2-5 drops of acetic acid to the well. Stir with a
clean toothpick. Record your observations in the data table. Rinse and dry your scoopula.
Repeat for all the samples.
4. Label the 5 pieces of aluminum foil with A,B,C,D,F. Place a small amount of each of the
samples on the appropriate piece of foil. Rinse and dry your scoopula after every sample!
Place the six squares of foil on a hot plate. Set the hot plate at a medium temperature.
Observe for 7-10 minutes. Record your results.
5. Place a small amount of sample A in a well. Add 5-10 drops of distilled water to the well. Stir
with a toothpick. Rinse and dry your scoopula after every sample. Repeat for all the
samples.
6. Place a small amount of each sample in a clean well. Rinse and dry your scoopula after
every sample! Add 2 drops of Logol’s solution to well. Record your results.
FORENSICS: WHITE POWDERS-A lab on Standardized Tests Used to I.D. Unknown Substances
NAME:
BELL:
DATE:
Part B: Identification of unknown substance
You now have the test results for each known powder in the data table. These results
will help you to determine the identity of an unknown substance by comparison.
1. Write down the number on the Ziploc bag for the powder you are trying to identify.
2. Perform all the tests you performed in Part A on this unknown substance. Record your
findings on Data Table .
3. Determine the i.d. of your unknown substance.
4. Put back all the supplies where you found them. Rinse the plates and scoopulas in water
and set them out to dry.
5. Get the initials from your teacher that your station is clean before you take off your goggles.
Data Table:
Name of
substance
A
B
C
D
F
unknown
Observation
with hand lens
Addition of
Acetic Acid
Hot plate
results
Addition of
water
Addition of
Lugol’s
FORENSICS: WHITE POWDERS-A lab on Standardized Tests Used to I.D. Unknown Substances
NAME:
BELL:
DATE:
1. What are the controls in this procedure?
2. Why is this toxicology lab different from the other toxicology labs you have done this year?
3. Is this type of testing presumptive or confirmatory? Explain your answer.
4. What is the identity of your unknown substance? What type of drug is it classified as? Using
your notes explain the physical symptoms of the drug on the human body? **if you identified
salt describe the symptoms of any of the 5 categories of your choice!
5. What would have to be done in order to put this person in jail?