UNODC continues mentorship programme on chemical testing equipment

 

 

Islamabad - Officials from the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and Customs were trained in the use of state-of-the-art testing equipment for narcotics and chemicals at the ANF Academy in Islamabad in January. The programme was the next phase following training courses held in August 2013. Conducting a programme in multiple phases helps to ensure the sustainability of lessons learned and provides trainees with an opportunity to discuss their experience using the equipment after their initial training.

Over the course of two weeks, training was conducted with a total of 100 participants. The course taught the trainees to set up the machine, ensure it is functioning properly and conduct tests efficiently. Also, participants were trained in how to distinguish good results from bad results, and to separate results in case of mixtures.

The HazMatID 360 is equipment that identifies thousands of substances, solid or liquid, using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). By comparing the molecular fingerprint of the tested substance with the data loaded in the equipment's library, the HazMatID can give results that are nearly 100% accurate. With a weight of 10 kg, the machine is portable and can easily be brought to a location for on-the-spot chemical testing.

The next phase of the programme will be delivered in June 2014.