This technique produces a chemical-precipitation reaction between cocaine and the precipitating reagent. The habit and the aggregation of the crystals formed may be used to distinguish cocaine from other drugs.

This technique can be utilized on cocaine present in either the salt or free base form.

This technique does not distinguish between the salt and free base forms.

1.1 This guide describes some standard procedures applicable to the analysis of cocaine using multiple microcrystal tests.

1.2 These procedures are applicable to cocaine, which is present in solid dosage form or an injectable liquid form. They are not typically applicable to the analysis of cocaine in biological samples.