ESR has the capability to identify a wide range of illicit substances.
ESR routinely identifies illicit drugs and related materials for the New Zealand Police. ESR also carries out drug analysis for individuals or organisations other than the NZ Police.
However, once the sample is identified as an illegal drug, there are a number of legal and ethical issues raised. For example the sample cannot be returned to a person or organisation not licensed to hold samples of controlled drugs.
Some of the drug types commonly identified can include:
- cannabinoids, such as marijuana, hashish, hash oil
- amphetamine type substances, such as ecstasy, P, speed, benzylpiperazine (BZP)
- opiates, such as heroin, morphine, codeine
- cocaine
- benzodiazepines, such as valium, rivotril, clonazepam