The control of drugs is an emotive issue and has been, and will continue to be, the subject of much debate. Many drugs have medical uses and these, and others, are also used for recreational purposes. A large number are also subject to control at both national and international levels. Many are addictive and their use can sometimes result in antisocial behaviour. Furthermore, their use is often associated with significant health risks, where these are known. It is not the intention of this present book to debate the rights and wrongs of drug control and use. While drugs remain controlled, it will be necessary, within the legal context, for the forensic scientist to carry out a number of types of analyses, including the following:

1. Determine whether or not a controlled substance is present.

2. Determine how much of the substance is present.

3. Determine, on occasion, the relationship of drug samples to each other.

Drug analysis is one of the areas of forensic science where it is necessary to carry out an analytical investigation, in this case to prove whether a controlled substance is present or otherwise. In order to achieve this, a number of analyses are required, which must conform to the highest scientific standards. It is the aim of this text to illustrate the analyses that must be undertaken and why, to explain the processes and their underlying chemistry, and to give the reader an insight into why each of the analyses is performed. The book is not exhaustive in describing all of the methods that are available - there is a huge body of scientific literature available, including research methods that have not yet found casework applications. The choice of method will depend upon the resources and equipment available to the analyst, the legislative system in which the analyst is working and the questions being asked. The first chapter outlines the legal context of the analyses, while each of the subsequent chapters describe methods which can be applied to individual classes of drugs. The methods that are described in this book have, however, been used by the present author and in many examples the data are taken from casework materials, with the methods being known to work. By applying the principles described, the analyst should arrive at sound findings in terms of a particular analysis.

It would not have been possible to write this book without the support and encouragement of a great number of people, including colleagues and friends from around the world, and my family. For this, I thank them all.

Cole M.D. (2003) The analysis of Controlled substances.

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