Forensic scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are relying on color to see the spread of drug particles. They hope that by tracking the spread of these particles they can determine the rate of spread. The study can help crime labs address suspected drug evidence.
Credit (NIST.GOV): NIST researchers used glowing powder to understand how drug particles can be spread onto surfaces in a forensic chemistry lab.
Findings were published in Forensic Chemistry and discuses safety concerns for super-potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl, which can be hazardous to scientists who study them frequently.
To observe their findings, researchers applied fluorescent powder to a fabricated brick made of white flour. Under UV light, the brick appears in glowing bright orange.
Learn more about drug evidence using color tests:
"This is a great way for labs to see which of their practices contribute to the spread of drug residues, and to make sure that their cleanup routines are effective," says NIST researcher, Edward Sisco.
Source: Science Daily
