This article first appeared in the July/August 2026 issue of Police & Security News.
Although phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP, is not a new narcotic, it continues to present serious risks for law enforcement officers, investigators, and clandestine laboratory teams.
In an article published by Police & Security News, Michael Brown, global director of counternarcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices, examines the ongoing domestic production and distribution of PCP. He also discusses the hazards associated with the drug, its precursor chemicals, and the unpredictable environments in which officers may encounter it.
The article explores how handheld Raman technology can help law enforcement personnel presumptively identify PCP, precursor chemicals, and other suspicious substances in the field while reducing unnecessary contact with potentially hazardous materials.
Read “Liquid Danger: Why PCP Remains a Serious Enforcement Challenge” on page 36 of the July/August 2026 issue of Police & Security News.
Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.