Deposition of methamphetamine residues produced by simulated smoking.

In New Zealand, many concerns have been raised over the presence of methamphetamine contamination in households, especially when its provenance is unknown. Previous research found that contamination levels on household surfaces were higher after the premises had been used as a clandestine laboratory. It is believed that the levels of contamination produced from smoking methamphetamine are much less than those produced through manufacture.

Establishing likelihood ratios for evaluating opposing propositions concerning the activity causing methamphetamine contamination: Smoking or manufacture?

In New Zealand, concerns have been raised over the presence of methamphetamine contamination in households, especially when the activity causing the contamination is unknown. The cause of contamination is also a contentious issue in clandestine laboratory cases concerning charges in relation to "Use of Premises" (Section 12: Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, New Zealand). Regardless of the cause, other than scientific opinion, there is currently no analytical technique that can satisfactorily address the provenance of methamphetamine residues.

Assessment of contamination levels in methamphetamine-tested properties in New Zealand.

In November 2016, whilst in draft, the New Zealand Standard (NZS8510:2017) for the "Testing and Decontamination of Methamphetamine-Contaminated Properties" considered two acceptable post-decontamination re-occupancy methamphetamine levels; 1.5μg/100cm if the contamination was caused by smoking methamphetamine and 0.5μg/100cm if the contamination was caused by the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Host range and in vitro lysis of Listeria monocytogenes seafood isolates by bacteriophages.

Listeria-infecting bacteriophages (listeriaphages) can be used to control Listeria monocytogenes in the food industry. However, the sensitivity of many of seafood-borne Listeria strains to phages has not been reported. This research investigated the host ranges of three listeriaphages (FWLLm1, FWLLm3 and FWLLm5) by the formation of lytic zones and plaques on host lawns and in vitro lysis kinetics of listeriaphage FWLLm3.

The restoration of serial numbers on vehicle glass using hydrofluoric acid.

Very little research has been carried out investigating techniques for the restoration of obliterated serial numbers on vehicle glass. A study into the effectiveness of hydrofluoric (HF) acid, a known etchant for glass, has been performed. Character sequences previously etched into panes of vehicle glass were sanded to varying depths and attempts were made to restore the sequences by polishing and using a range of concentrations of HF acid.

New "party pill" components in New Zealand: the synthesis and analysis of some β-ketone analogues of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) including βk-DMBDB (β-ketone-N,N-dimethyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine).

In 2008, the New Zealand Government passed an amendment to reschedule what were, at the time, the active ingredients of 'party pills' in New Zealand. Since then, submissions of tablets and powders to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Limited have included ingredients not previously seen among drug seizures in New Zealand. These new components, confirmed by the synthesis of standards, included some beta-ketone (βk) analogues of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA).

Deaths from poisoning in New Zealand: 2001-2002.

Aims: To describe the epidemiology and toxicology of poisoning deaths in New Zealand for 2001 and 2002.

Methods: Poisoning mortality data for 2001 and 2002 were collected from the Coronial Service Office (CSO) as part of the New Zealand chemical injury surveillance system.

Results: There was 235 and 234 poisoning deaths in 2001 and 2002 respectively, an annual rate of 6.