Surfaces

Wiping a surface can show if invisible traces of drugs are present, which indicates the likelihood that drugs have been there. This positive indication does not define who put them there. Steering wheels, car keys, radio knobs, mobile phone and computer key boards are all prime targets. The testing of fingers and inside pocket seams is more specific and personal, giving excellent intelligence.

Paraphernalia such as scorched foil, discarded wraps, used needles and burnt ashes can all be safely screened for the residue of illegal drugs.

Licensing Officers from the Police or the Council, find testing surfaces in pubs and clubs beneficial for the education of some licensees and for the cautioning or license review of others.  

Substances

Sampling a tiny amount of a suspicious substance, whether in powder, solid or liquid form, can very quickly and safely, indicate the likelihood of it being a particular drug. This immunoassay result is sufficient in certain cases but for a full legal prosecution, subsequent confirmation by another analytical method is required.

However, in the UK, the confiscation and prosecution for possession of a small amount of cocaine for personal use can be done by a trained officer with the Home Office approved DrugID without laboratory confirmation.