NARCOTICS
| Field Test Kits | Impounding Officer Procedures | Evidence Officer Procedures | Disposal |
Controlled substance analysis is the identification of specific chemicals that are designated as controlled by the Oregon Administrative Rules. This analysis applies the to testing of powders, tablets, capsules, plant material, and drug paraphernalia. Clandestine laboratory samples are also analyzed to determine the method being used to manufacture the illegal drug and the possible drug yield given the quantity of chemicals and precursors seized.
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Identification of controlled substances only. In general, non-controlled substances are not identified. |
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Analysis is qualitative only. Oregon law requires only the presence of a controlled substance, not its purity. |
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Quantitative testing is performed for federal sentencing in methamphetamine cases only. |
The Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory limits analysis to two items per defendant, so the investigating officer should use discretion and submit only those two items that are essential to the case. Exceptions can be made by District Attorney’s Office request to the laboratory.
Large seizures of over a kilogram of powder or large amounts of marijuana should not be submitted directly to the laboratory. A small sample of the material should be removed, packaged, and submitted for analysis. Laboratory personnel can assist with the weighing of large submissions, however, the officer must maintain possession of the evidence. A small sample will be retained by the laboratory for analysis.
Syringes, razors, and other sharp objects (“sharps”) will not be accepted unless the District Attorney’s Office has given notice of their intent to prosecute the case. All sharp objects should be separated from other evidence that requires analysis.
Approved sharp objects that are submitted for analysis must be packaged in such a manner as to protect personnel during handling. The packaging must be protective enough to ensure no possibility of being injured or punctured. Commercially manufactured puncture-proof (“sharps”) containers are available for purchase. Contact your local laboratory for information.
Items removed from a body orifice should be labeled with a “BIOHAZARD” label.
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AIDS has a short life span when exposed to air. However, HEPATITIS can live for years in the open air. Hepatitis contaminated evidence has been frozen and thawed years later. The virus was shown to still be alive.
DO NOT TAKE CHANCES. ALWAYS USE GLOVES AND WHEN POSSIBLE, FACE PROTECTION.
Live plant material and other damp/wet evidence should be dried prior to submission. This includes marijuana, mushrooms, peyote, or opium poppies. Fresh plant material, when packaged in airtight containers such as plastic bags, decays rapidly and can inhibit or possibly eliminate the chance for detecting a controlled substance.
Drug packaging that needs processing for latent fingerprints must be separated from the drugs when possible. The evidence for latent fingerprint processing is then submitted separately from the drugs.
Care should be exercised when packaging more than one exhibit in the same package. Cross contamination of evidence can occur, especially with bags that are open, leaking, or have cut corners.
When using commercially purchased field test kits, remember a positive result with the kit only indicates the presence of a drug. There can be other drugs that give the same reaction. Generally, the colors of a positive reaction indicated on the test kit are very apparent and interpretation of the result is usually not necessary.
The field test kits should be discarded after use. Many of the kits contain concentrated acids that can leak, creating a chemical hazard. In addition, drugs tested in these kits cannot be further analyzed and therefore should not be submitted to the laboratory.
Officers using field test kits should not do so on a residue amount of drug. In cases where quantities are limited, omit the field test and submit the evidence directly to the laboratory for analysis.
Package all narcotics in clear plastic bags with a write-on area; see “Marijuana” for information on packaging that drug.
Complete the write-on area of the evidence bag, INCLUDING THE TOTAL COUNT OF PILLS IF APPLICABLE.
Seal the packaging with a heat sealer. Date and initial the seal. Insure that the seal is securely sealed. Wait for the red light to click off on the heat sealer before removing item.
Weigh the narcotics. All weights must be submitted as gross, i.e., total weight of the substance and the packaging as being submitted to Property Evidence. Attach the scale receipt to the yellow copy of the property receipt, or note the weight on the receipt.
Do Not package paraphernalia with the narcotic.
Do Not package more than one type of tablet or capsule together. Separate them.
If submitting powder to the lab, submit all foils, plastic corners, plastic bags, refilled capsules, etc., to the lab. Do not empty and mix the contents. The net weight of the powder will be determined at the lab.
Complete the Forensic Request Form, place into the basket in Evidence Processing Room.
Complete the property-evidence report. Include the weight or volume of item.
Place the item in an evidence locker. Note the location on the property-evidence report.
Place the yellow and green copy of the property-evidence report in the property-evidence basket in the Evidence Processing Room.
STORAGE
Ensure the drug has been packaged correctly; refer to the example board in the evidence processing areas.
Place one barcode on the item and the corresponding barcode on the property receipt.
Place the item in a location best suited to the size of the item within the secure room. See the evidence room guide.
Using the barcode reader, scan the location of the shelf and then scan the barcode that is affixed to the evidence.
Each time a drug is checked in or out, it must be weighted with the receipt of weight attached to the property receipt.
Upon authorization or disposition of the case;
Barcode the drugs to the location of “Dest Box” and note the same location on the back of the property-evidence receipt in the final disposition box. Complete the Narcotics Destruction Form.
Call Marion County Waste Management (503) 393-9724 to schedule an appointment time.
On the day the drugs are to be transported for destruction, barcode each drug item to the location of “destroyed”.
Transport the drugs with the firearms to Marion County Waste Management, 4850 Brooklake Road N.E., Brooks, Oregon. One evidence officer and a person designated by the Professional Standards Unit must be in attendance and witness the destruction.
Both persons who transported and witnessed the destruction must date and initial the Narcotics Destruction Form. Place the original form in the weapons destruction file in the Property-Evidence office. Place copies in each applicable case file in records.
Revised 11/05/03