October 31, 2016, New Hampshire Union Leader The local police department has a new, state-of-the-art gadget that helps officers identify narcotics while in the field, without having to touch dangerous, unknown substances. “Within the last year or so, we have been looking for a new way to field test drugs,” said Sgt. Brian Kenney of the Nashua Police Department’s narcotics division. Police researched the TacticID handheld device, but quickly discovered they did not have the $18,000 needed to purchase the machine within the department’s budget. When Southern New Hampshire Medical Center learned about the dilemma, it offered to purchase the unit for the police department, which would allow the hospital to utilize the technology when it came across unknown drugs as well. “We use this machine every day,” said Kenney, adding the new tool keeps his patrolmen safe since they no longer have to open bags of narcotics and other substances for them to be tested and appropriately identified. Instead, the TacticID uses laser technology to scan a substance, which excites the molecules in the sample and sends back a molecular fingerprint to the device’s library of more than 1,000 narcotics, pharmaceutical drugs, agents and precursors, according to Gregory Giuntini, global market manager of safety and security for TacticID. “Everything is a white powder right now. With this technology, there is no more guessing,” Giuntini said. There are certain drugs, specifically fentanyl, that law enforcement officers can be exposed to through their pores when the substance is airborne, Kenney said. “It can be toxic to the touch,” he said, stressing police are facing more exposure to lethal substances than ever before. With TacticID, the machine can be used in the field and tested on a drug inside of a baggie without the bag ever being opened, Kenney said. “We are seeing a high volume of fentanyl here, which is not prevalent in other parts of the county,” he said. “From a safety standpoint for our officers, this device is critical.” TacticID is not just a drug enforcement tool, it is keeping members of the Nashua Police Department safe, said Mark Hastings, director of emergency management at SNHMC. After learning about the handheld piece of technology earlier this year, Hastings approached hospital management and eventually received the green light to purchase the machine for the city’s police force, with the understanding that the hospital may also use the device when it is warranted. The Manchester Police Department is also using TacticID units, which are updated frequently to include new drugs that are just hitting the streets. The technology also enables law enforcement and forensic lab technicians to click on certain drugs and immediately learn more about the stimulant. In addition, the chain of evidence is stored inside of the device so when officers testify in court, the data and evidence is readily available. It is also saving the department a significant amount of money previously used to purchase field test kits, according to Kenney.