Types of Samples
We only need a tiny amount of sample, the size of a grain of rice. Two scoops of powder works best. Swabs of the inside of baggies are also okay, but be sure to indicate that on the card so we can adjust our lab methods. A clean fragment of a pill works well, but be aware of the Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect. A used cotton is exempted from paraphernalia laws and is convenient.
Video demonstration
This video will walk you through the steps.
Scoop
Using the enclosed spatula scoop approximately 1mg of sample into the vial. Ensure the sample looks consistent throughout. If there are speckles or different colors in the bag,
Swab
First, dip and swirl the cotton swab into the liquid in the vial to get it wet. Run the wet swab along the inside of the bag 5 times. Make sure to get into the corners. Then, swish the swab around in the liquid in the vial, or the swab head can be cut or broken off and sealed inside.
Cotton
The clear plastic spatula is convenient for dropping used cottons inside the vial.
Tablet
You can drop a whole tablet into the vial. It also works to cut off a piece of the tablet (at least ¼); be sure to use a clean knife to cut the tablet! If the tablet has been broken/crushed, use the spatula to transfer powder to the vial.
Alternative Collection Methods
Pipes and Foil
We don't recommend this collection method because pipes could have been used more than once with different types of drugs, complicating your interpretation. Still, we do accept samples provided this way. Follow instructions of baggie swabs above.
Cookers
Wet the swab in the liquid from the vial. Draw it along the surface of the cooker, including the sides. Then, swish the swab around in the liquid in the vial, or the swab head can be cut or broken off and sealed inside.
Syringes
Wet the swab with liquid from the vial. Swab the inside of the barrel and plunger. Alternatively, rinse syringes with liquid from the vial and transfer back to vial. Obviously, this method carries risk of needlesticks. Sometimes syringe samples also contain lotions from the skin, complicating your interpretation of the results.
Liquids
We can analyze liquids, like GHB. Add 5+ drops of the liquid sample to the vial.
Plant Material (weed) and Fungus (shrooms)
Use spatula to drop a small amount of plant material into the vial. You want about a peppercorn's worth of material at least. We haven't seen any fentanyl in weed.