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Clandestine Operations: Synthetic Methods, Hazards, and Safety

Javed Khan, Thomas J. Kennedy, Donnell R. Christian

Humana Press eBooks August 26, 2011 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-437-7_18 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Citations 1
Key findings Provides a basic survey of clandestine drug synthesis methods, intentionally omitting critical procedural details, and outlines associated hazards and the forensic chemist's role at crime scenes.

Abstract

The primary focus is on illicit methamphetamine production; however, synthetic procedures commonly used in the clandestine production of cocaine (HCl and base), fentanyl, gamma -hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-­methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, aka ecstasy), methcathinone, phencyclidine (PCP), and N , N -dimethyltryptamine (DMT) are also included. It is not our intention to provide a detailed reference on the synthetic methods used to manufacture illegal drugs. Consequently, critical information on specific steps and reagent amounts is intentionally omitted from selected procedures. This has little, if any, affect on either the continuity or the depth of the topic under discussion. The reactions represent a basic survey of those commonly used in clandestine operations. The dangers associated with illicit drug production include a description of chemical, fire, explosive, and exposure hazards. The role of the forensic chemist at clandestine crime scenes is also discussed. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.