How can a variety of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia be identified?

Identifying controlled substances and drug paraphernalia often begins with preliminary observations, which can include visual inspection and smell. Many substances have distinctive appearances, colors, and textures that can be associated with specific drugs, and some may also emit unique odors. These characteristics can provide immediate clues to law enforcement or investigators about the nature of the substances encountered at a crime scene.

While identifying substances by sight or odor is useful for making initial assessments, it is important to note that this method is sometimes not precise enough to confirm the identity of a substance, and additional testing may be required for accurate identification. Other methods such as chemical testing are more definitive and reliable for confirming the presence of specific controlled substances.

The other options, while relevant to different aspects of drug investigation, do not address the initial identification process as effectively as visual and olfactory clues. For instance, chemical testing is a more sophisticated and reliable method but typically comes after preliminary identification. Weight can indicate certain properties of substances but does not specifically identify what those substances are. Visual and audio observations may pertain to context and activity but are less relevant for directly identifying substances compared to sight and odor.