Testing for METH

[Hedonist9]

HI,

How are we testing for meth. If a pill is pure meth with no MDMD, sure EZ test and the others will pick it up.

More often on Ecstasydata.org they show pills contain both MDMA and meth. In these pills it doesn't even seem like the test will show meth.

So..how are we supposed to test for meth? Is ther even a way for us to do it?

Anyone out there have a solution?

 

[phase_dancer]

Cobalt thiocyanate is commonly used to indicate the present of cocaine. The HCl will form a precipitate, thereby distinguishing it from the many other compounds which also form a blue reaction product with the reagent.

Methamphetamine HCl will also turn the reagent a blue colour*.

While not a completely surefire test - as said many things turn cobalt thiocyanate blue- it's perhaps less likely these will be included in a typical tablet. According to the cited reference below, MDMA and MDA do not produce any colour with the thiocyanate reagent. So if a pill reacts with Marquis to produce the characteristic purple/black colour but also reacts to the thiocyanate, one could reasonably assume meth was probably also present.

Mandelin can sometimes indicate the presence of both substances by producing both colours or a blue/green that forms just prior to the darker colour produced by MDMA. However, as the green colour of the higher vanadate oxidation state occasionally occurs without meth being present, it is not considered to be a reliable test. Also, sometimes the MDMA will react so fast that the green/blue of meth is undetectable.

The thiocyanate reagent can be prepared by dissolving 0.5 grams of cobalt thiocyanate in 25 mL of methanol.


*Ref: Spot Tests: A colour Chart Reference for Forensic Chemists, S.H. Johns et al 1978

 

[rolls]

Cobalt thiocyanate - Is this chemical readily available from a chem distributer, also is it something thats likely to be expensive?

 

[phase_dancer]

Cobalt thiocyanate should be available through most chemical suppliers, although it may not be a stock item. It shouldn't be too expensive.