Division of Forensic Sciences

Chemistry Section

The primary function of the Chemistry Section is to analyze and identify chemical compounds and determine if possession of these compounds is in violation of federal and/or state statutes. The Chemistry Section supplies the courts and other state agencies with factual drug information, provides information to the general public and news media about drug abuse, and has a team of scientists trained to assist police officers in clandestine laboratory seizures. Drug identification is performed at the headquarters laboratory and in each of the laboratories throughout the state.

Services Provided:

• Identification of substances in violation of Federal or Georgia drug laws
• Assistance in clandestine laboratory seizures (coordinated through GBI Headquarters)
• Police training in marijuana identification through the Peace Officers Standard and Training Council (P.O.S.T.)
• Police training in cocaine through P.O.S.T.
• Arson Analysis

Identification of substances that are in violation of Federal or Georgia statutes is the primary focus of the Chemistry Section. Preliminary identification of these substances is done by Thin-Layer Chromatography, Ultraviolet Spectroscopy, and High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Additional testing and identification methods used to identify these substances are Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and Raman Spectroscopy.

Raman Spectroscopy

High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry

Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

Clandestine Laboratory Response Team 

The Clandestine Laboratory Response Team (CLRT) is a group of scientists around the state who aid local and state law enforcement in the safety assessment, shutdown, analysis, and prosecution of illegal drug manufacturing labs. Due to the hazardous environments which can be present at clandestine lab sites, members of the CLRT utilize the latest in air monitoring instrumentation and personal protective equipment. Scientists shut down active lab sites and take samples of phases of the production process in order to determine the method of production, the precursors used, and if any controlled substances have been produced. Members of the CLRT also aid in training new law enforcement officials on the facts about clandestine labs.

CLRT member about to sample suspected methamphetamine lab. This scientist is wearing a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Anhydrous ammonia is often stored improperly in propane cylinders like the one pictured to the right. These can become dangerous as the ammonia will slowly eat away the brass fittings, eventually rupturing the tank. Anhydrous ammonia causes severe irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. In large enough doses, it can prove fatal.

Biphasic liquids are often found at clandestine lab sites. Often, the top layer is an organic liquid while the bottom layer is a basic aqueous solution.

Marijuana Certified Examiner’s Course

The Chemistry Section sponsors the Marijuana Certified Examiner’s Course, which is a 16-hour course for law enforcement personnel. This class educates officers in proper methods for testing marijuana samples and subsequently, testifying in court if needed. Students are presented history of the plant, growing methods, popular trends, weighing, microscopic testing and chemical testing; they are then given test samples, which must be identified with 100 percent accuracy. After completing the written examination and numerous proficiency tests, students are authorized by GBI to begin analysis of cases from their regions or areas. The students also participate in a mock trial to better understand and provide testimony in the capacity of an expert in marijuana analysis.

Cocaine Training Program

The Cocaine Training Program is an eight-hour course presented by chemists from the Chemistry Section of the crime lab. This portion of the drug identification training course occurs on the third day of a week long program and includes a wide array of instruction. Students cover the history, pharmacology and cocaine’s status in the law. In addition, the class offers information on the manufacturing and purification processes. During a portion of the class, students gain hands on experience by participating in a cocaine cook, converting the hydrochloride to the base form (crack).

Fire Debris Analysis is a specialized service within the Chemistry Section. This analysis provides law enforcement and fire investigators with information concerning the possible use of ignitable liquids at a fire scene. This information will aid a fire investigator in determining whether a fire started due to an accelerant or was ignited by accidental causes.

At a fire scene, a fire investigator will select and take an evidence sample of debris, carpet, wood, etc., and package it into an airtight container such as a sealed mason jar or metal can. The evidence is then submitted to the crime lab where it is assigned a unique DOFS case number and barcode.

The evidence undergoes an extraction procedure to collect any volatile components that may be present in the fire debris sample

The extracted sample is analyzed on a Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS).

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