Barkholtz Research Group
When first responders and public health officials encounter a methamphetamine-contaminated dwelling, they rely upon qualitative tools to determine the extent of surface contamination.1 Furthermore, local health departments utilize qualitative and quantitative surface tests to confirm that contaminated dwellings have been adequately remediated and allow re-occupancy.2 Despite the weight of these qualitative measurements in assessing and mitigating risk to first responders, public health officials, dwelling inhabitants, etc. there is a paucity of literature available scoping and validating the accuracy, precision, and selectivity of popular methamphetamine detection devices and products.1-5 In particular, the authors have been unable to find any peer-reviewed literature surrounding the popular ID2 Handheld Meth Scanner. In response, we propose to evaluate the ID2 Handheld Meth Scanner and several commercial colorimetric methamphetamine tests. This work will explore the device or product’s limit of detection of methamphetamine with and without commonly encountered interfering substances such as novel psychoactive substances, reaction byproducts, and cutting agents. Results will be compared to manufacturer-supplied product or device performance specifications under various experimental conditions.
Project funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services