Editorial | Drug Microcrystal Tests Prove Their Relevance in Criminal Justice, Again
THE MICROSCOPE
2019, Volume 67:1, p. ii
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59082/GRXK6895
AUTHOR
Gary J. Laughlin
EXCERPT
This issue of The Microscope journal includes the final installment of original research on microcrystal tests for illicit drugs (see page 13), adapted from McCrone Research Institute’s A Modern Compendium of Microcrystal Tests for Illicit Drugs and Diverted Pharmaceuticals (Microcrystal Compendium). These microcrystal tests, using polarized light microscopy (PLM), can identify most illicit drugs specifically and quickly, usually within a few minutes. They are a reliable check and confirmation of the results and are inexpensive compared to automated instrumental methods.