The forensic Chemistry section provides the analysis of "hard" drugs which are submitted by outside agencies. These drugs range from clandestine chemical substances to unknown therapeutic medications. The common drugs that are analyzed are the drugs of abuse: Cocaine, Heroin, Amphetamines (Ice, Crystal Meth), Designer Drugs (Ecstasy), Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) and Marijuana.

Each year law enforcement agencies throughout the Medical Examiner’s District are met with the challenge to identify drugs which are found or as the result of a confiscation after an arrest or execution of a search warrant. The forensic chemistry section provides this valuable service to the criminal justice system. Our services are also available to aid the defense when deemed necessary by the presiding judge.

The Forensic Chemistry Section utilizes Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry as well as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in the analysis of unknown substances.  The role of the forensic chemist at the Medical Examiner's office ranges from the inventory, weighing and analysis of unknown substances to issuing the official report.  This chemist is also responsible for providing expert testimony in State and Federal courts.

The Forensic Chemistry Laboratory completes an average of over 3000 cases per year.  Within these sumbitted cases there are approximately 4900 powder/liquid samples, 2100 marihuana samples and several organic poison screens.