The production of illicit drugs at clandestine laboratory operations is a world‐wide problem with many associated public health hazards. This review describes many laboratory types that might be encountered by the clandestine laboratory response personnel, describing the materials and processes associated with different clandestine laboratories to aid in awareness and hazard identification. Clandestine laboratories generally create products according to market forces, including the end‐user expectations with regard to product appearance (e.g., as solid or liquid, in powder or tablet formulation) and potency. The clandestine laboratories use different materials, and processes depending on the laboratory's access to precursors, their ability to produce quantities sufficient to meet market demands, and also their ability to circumvent local, national and international laws and regulations. The information presented here is aimed at both laboratory‐based scientists and analysts who have to understand the classical methods for production, which are still used, and consider novel methods using alternative precursors. It is important to be cognizant of the emerging drugs and drug analogues, how these are considered under the law, and how they can be safely collected for analysis. Clandestine laboratory responders must consider the information presented here from the perspective of the risks associated with the drugs, precursors, waste materials and equipment. As clandestine laboratories and drug markets are constantly evolving, responders need to consistently pursue ongoing education, research, and collaboration with the constant review and assessment of the emerging drugs and precursors seized during operations and reported on regional and international forums. This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Controlled and Emerging Drug Compounds Toxicology > Drug Analysis Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination

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Fentanyl HCl is of particular interest in forensic cases but there is a notable gap in literature regarding its analysis. This study utilized a multi-method approach to characterize fentanyl HCl powder, both fresh and following a forced degradation process. Using sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/ MS) and direct injection gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), five

Methamphetamine production is the most common form of illicit drug manufacture in the United States. The “one-pot” method is the most prevalent methamphetamine synthesis method and is a modified Birch reduction, reducing pseudoephedrine with lithium and ammonia gas generated in situ. This research examined the amount of methamphetamine surface contamination generated by one-pot syntheses or “cooks”, as well as the effectiveness of hosing with water as a simplified decontamination technique, to assess associated public health and environmental consequences. Concentrations of methamphetamine contamination were examined prior to production, after production, and after decontamination with water. Contamination was qualitatively field screened using lateral flow immunoassays and quantitatively assessed using a fluorescence covalent microbead immunosorbent assay. Following screening, 0 of 23 pre-cook samples, 29 of 41 post-cook samples, and 5 of 27 post-decontamination samples were positive. Quantitatively, one pre-cook sample had a methamphetamine concentration of 1.36 ng/100 cm2. Post-cook and post-decontamination samples had average methamphetamine concentrations of 26.50 ± 63.83 and 6.22 ± 12.17 ng/100 cm2, respectively. While all one-pot methamphetamine laboratories generate different amounts of waste, depending on the amount of precursors used and whether the reaction vessel remained uncompromised, this study examined the surface contamination generated by a popular one-pot method known to law enforcement. By understanding the amount of surface contamination generated by common methods of one-pot methamphetamine production and the effectiveness of decontamination techniques used to remediate them, health risks associated with these production sites can be better understood and environmental contamination can be mitigated.