10 Reasons Handheld Raman Strengthens Law Enforcement

A handheld Raman analyzer can ID hundreds of narcotics, precursors or cutting agents in seconds—right at the scene. With high specificity, the analyzer is non-destructive, non-contact, and easy to use.

Handheld Raman analysis is allowed in early court proceedings. Law enforcement gains probable cause and the ability to charge suspects while rapidly moving cases through the system.

With backlogs at the crime lab, the time between arrest and early court proceedings can reach one year. With admission of handheld Raman analysis, cases can be prepared for court in a matter of weeks.

A handheld analyzer automatically generates a tamper-proof report, with test location, time, result and operator, for inclusion in the investigative file delivered to the prosecuting attorney’s office.

In jurisdictions that permit handheld Raman analysis, crime labs may enjoy more efficient operation because each field test becomes a screening test, preventing backlogs.

Given the cost per sample at the crime lab, drug testing can run tens of thousands of dollars per month. By deploying a handheld Raman analyzer, law enforcement can realize substantial savings over the life of the instrument.

Handheld Raman analysis helps discover novel synthetic compounds. When these new substances are understood at the lab level, the information is quickly passed back to the analyzer for positive field ID.

As new drug threats emerge, new substances can be added to an analyzer’s “fingerprint” library quickly. These updates are made available frequently and are typically free of charge.

Wet chemistry kits require multiple steps with user interpretation. Some drugs require multiple chem kits to make the correct call. Handheld Raman analysis provides a more accurate and reliable test, and is a total solution.

Many drugs on the street today can be lethal if officers are exposed to even trace amounts. The TruNarc allows officers to test samples without having to make contact with them.