title: Effect of drug precursors and chemicals relevant to clandestine laboratory investigation on plastic bags used for collection and storage.
abstract: In the area of clandestine laboratory investigations, plastic bags are used to collect and store evidence, such as solvents, precursors, and other compounds usually employed for the manufacturing of drugs (although liquids may be stored in glass containers within the bags first). In this study, three different types of plastic bags were provided by the NSW Police Force and investigated for their suitability for evidence collection: two different types of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags and one type of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bag. Three different experiments were carried out: (1) storing relevant chemicals in the bags for up to three months; (2) exposing the bags including their content to accelerated conditions using a weatherometer, and (3) simulating an expected real case scenario. This study indicates that drugs and related chemicals stored in plastic bags may lead to a change in the composition of the chemical and an alteration or degradation of the plastic bag. All experiments led to the same conclusion: the polyvinyl chloride bags appeared to be the most affected. LDPE bags seem to be more appropriate for routine use, although it has been established they are not suitable for the collection of liquids (unless pre-packaged in, for instance, a glass container).
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Harmonie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Michelot
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Shanlin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shimmon
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.affiliation: Surry Hills Local Area Command, NSW Police Force, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crandell
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia. Electronic address: Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roux
keywords: Drug seizure; Illicit drugs; Low density polyethylene; Plastic bags; Polyvinyl chloride; Precursor chemicals