4103FSBMOL - Lecture 9 - Drug Analysis and Note Taking.

Question 1

What are ‘Drugs of abuse’?

Answer 1

They are potentially harmful/ toxic substances deliberately taken for the mood and mind altering effects that they induce.

Question 2

What are the 3 main types of drug?

Answer 2

Stimulants, Depressants and Hallucinogens (Analgesics).

Question 3

Due to Pharmacological literature, what was classified as the 3 main ingredients of psychoactive plants?

Answer 3

Sedatives, Stimulants and/or Hallucinogens.

Question 4

What is an example of a Sedative?

Answer 4

Opium.

Question 5

What is an example of a Stimulant?

Answer 5

Cocaine.

Question 6

What is an example of a Hallucinogen?

Answer 6

(Psilocybin) mushrooms.

Question 7

What are the different sections of the Drugs Wheel?

Answer 7

• Stimulants.
• Empathogens.
• Hallucinogens.
• Dissociatives.
• Cannabinoids.
• Depressants.
• Opiods.

Question 8

What is an example of a Stimulant?

Answer 8

Amphetamine.

Question 9

What is an example of an Empathogen?

Answer 9

Ecstasy.

Question 10

What is an example of a Psychedelic/ Hallucinogen?

Answer 10

LSD.

Question 11

What is an example of a Dissociative?

Answer 11

Ketamine.

Question 12

What is an example of a Cannabinoid?

Answer 12

Cannabis.

Question 13

What is an example of a Depressant?

Answer 13

Diazepam.

Question 14

What is an example of an Opioid?

Answer 14

Morphine.

Question 15

What different drug related equipment do you look for at a crime scene?

Answer 15

• Drugs.
• Potential Cutting Agents.
• Packaging Materials.
• Drug Paraphernalia (torniquets, syringles etc.).
• Evidence of dealing (small electronic scales, baggies, burner phone etc.).

Question 16

What type of methods do you use for Drug Trace Sample Analysis?

Answer 16

Intrumental Methods (ATR, FTIR).

Question 17

What type of methods do you use for Drug Bulk Sample Analysis?

Answer 17

Presumptive Tests and TLC. Then Instrumental Methods after.

Question 18

What are the different ways you can do Confirmatory Identification of Drugs?

Answer 18

• HPLC (with UV, DAD or fluorescence detector).
• GC (with FID, ECD or NPD).
• Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS, GC-MS-MS, LC-MS or LC-MS-MS).

Question 19

Describe the smell and colour of Cannabis.

Answer 19

• Peppery smell.
• Green/Brown plant based matter.

Question 20

Describe Crack Cocaine.

Answer 20

It crackles when burnt because of the baking soda content.

Question 21

Describe Free Cocaine.

Answer 21

It is less stable as it doesn’t contain baking soda.

Question 22

Explain the colour/ composition of Heroin.

Answer 22

Standard can be fluffy white powder and Usual/ Street drugs can be dirty brown colour.

Question 23

Explain the colour(s) of Amphetamine.

Answer 23

They can be different colours such as pink. This can be due to the manufacturing process such as the solvent which is used. Normal colour is an Off-white colour. Smell of the drug could also suggest the manufacturing process used.

Question 24

What are Drug Ballistics?

Answer 24

Sometimes impressions/ stamps can be found on drugs or the packaging to direct to certain suppliers.

Question 25

What are OTC drugs?

Answer 25

'Over the counter' drugs.

Question 26

What are **examples** of *OTC Drugs?*

Answer 26

* Diazepam. * Pills (pain killers). * 'Pink Cocaine', Ketamine, Fentanyl, Synthetic Amines. ## Footnote Tend to be ***abused more** than other types of drugs.*

Question 27

What type of Note Taking do you have to do?

Answer 27

**Contemporaneous** Note Taking.

Question 28

What are **Contemporaneous Notes**?

Answer 28

They are **notes as you go through analaysis**, noting *every step* you take **AT THE TIME OF EXAMINATION!**

Question 29

What must you keep Record Notes in? Why?

Answer 29

A *Hardback Book* - in case you spill acid and it burns.

Question 30

What things must be included in Practical Records?

Answer 30

1. **Title** - short. 2. **Date** - full date (ie. 28th September 2024). 3. **Introduction** - brief ouline - reason. 4. **Experimental - (Method)** including exact details - not everything down with a timestamp. 5. **Results & Discussion** - record results in tables amd graphs where necessary. 6. **Conclusion(s)** - brief synopsis + positive and negative comments.

Question 31

Why are Contemporaneous Notes important?

Answer 31

* Notes are used to **Compile Witness Statements.** * Notes *open scrutiny in court.* * Notes may be *required in defence examination* for inspection or repeat of an analysis. * Case may not go to court for a certain period of time **(how good is your memory?).** * Show relevant **precautions to ensure continuity of item being maintained** and to *prevent any Contamination* of the evidence.

Question 32

What is **Continuity**?

Answer 32

As part of the judicial process notes have to identify that the items being examined are those obtained from the incident. **Continuity Label on the Exhibit.** Items are signed in and out of a person's use.

Question 33

What are the *different sheets* in the **documentation of Lab Notes**?

Answer 33

* Index Sheet. * Documentation Log Sheet. * Laboratory Submission Sheet. * General Examination Sheet. * Examination Record.

Question 34

What do you have to make sure about your work area when examining evidence?

Answer 34

It is clean and free from contamination.

Question 35

What do you have to look for on the evidence before opening it?

Answer 35

Any signs of Tampering/ Integrity of outer packaging.

Question 36

What do you need to make sure when packaging evidence?

Answer 36

That it is packaged in the correct type of packaging (suitable).

Question 37

What different things do you need to write in the examination record about the evidence?

Answer 37

* Size. * Colour. * Volume. * Condition. * Unusual Features. * **Weight (especially if a suspected drug sample - used in court).**

Question 38

What can you do with **Documental Evidence**?

Answer 38

They can be **photocopied** as this isn't destructive.

Question 39

What type of examinations should you do first?

Answer 39

**Non-destructive** ones - to try and maintain the evidence.

Question 40

When you have completed the examination, what do you have to do?

Answer 40

* Replace the item in the original packaging. * Seal up any open edges, spaces. * Sign over the cellotape and fill in details on the evidence if you haven't already.