TERMINOLOGY USED IN
CLANDESTINE DRUG LABORATORY CASES

 

Acetone:  solvent
Anhydrous ammonia:  cryogenic liquid used in “Nazi” synthesis
Antihistabs:  brand name for pseudoephedrine tablets
Birch (Birch-Bekenser) Reduction:  reaction used in “Nazi” synthesis
Butanediol, 1,4-:  chemical that creates GHB in body
Camp fuel:  solvent; trade name for mineral spirits
Coleman fuel:  solvent; trade name for mineral spirits
Cryogenic:  gas which is compressible to liquid
Cyclohexadienylmethylaminopropane:  root name for Birch Reduction by-product
Diene:  short name for Birch Reduction by-product
DOT number:  number designating approved use for gas cylinder
Draeger tube:  tube used to test environment for hazardous fumes
Ephedrine:  precursor used in “Nazi” and “Red P” syntheses
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol):  solvent
Ethyl ether:  solvent
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared):  spectrophotometer used in analysis
Gamma Butyrolactone:  chemical used to synthesize GHB
Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB):  controlled substance
Gassing:  adding hydrogen chloride gas to methamphetamine base
GC-MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometer): analytical instrument
HEET:  brand name for methyl alcohol product
Hydrochloric acid:  pH adjuster; also used to generate hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen chloride:  acidic gas used to convert methamphetamine base to salt
Hydrogen peroxide:  used to extract iodine from tincture
Hypo:  short-hand term for hypophosphorous acid
Hypophosphorous acid:  substitute for phosphorus in “Red P” method
Ice:  street name for crystalline methamphetamine
Iodine:  crystals used in “Red P” synthesis
Lithium:  metal used in “Nazi” synthesis
Marquis test:  presumptive test for methamphetamine
Methanol (methyl alcohol): solvent
Mineral spirits:  solvent
Muriatic acid:  alternate name for hydrochloric acid
Naphtha:  solvent; alternate name for mineral spirits
Nazi method:  synthesis of methamphetamine by Birch-Bekenser Reduction
Nitroprusside test:  presumptive test for methamphetamine
Phosphorus, red:  powder used in “Red P” synthesis
Potassium:  metal used in “Nazi” synthesis
Powder out:  convert methamphetamine base to salt
Pseudo 60:  brand name for pseudoephedrine tablets
Pseudoephedrine:  precursor used in “Nazi” and “Red P” syntheses
Red P method:  synthesis of methamphetamine with iodine and phosphorus
SLX Denatured Alcohol:  commercial product containing ethanol
Sodium:  metal used in “Nazi” synthesis
Sudafed:  brand name for pseudoephedrine tablets
Suphedrine:  brand name for pseudoephedrine tablets
Sulfuric acid (drain opener): used in hydrogen chloride generator
Tincture of Iodine:  source of iodine crystals
Two-phase liquid:  liquid containing two distinct layers