4103FSBMOL - Lecture 9 - Drug Analysis and Note Taking. Flashcards
What are ‘Drugs of abuse’?
They are potentially harmful/ toxic substances deliberately taken for the mood and mind altering effects that they induce.
What are the 3 main types of drug?
Stimulants, Depressants and Hallucinogens (Analgesics).
Due to Pharmacological literature, what was classified as the 3 main ingredients of psychoactive plants?
Sedatives, Stimulants and/or Hallucinogens.
What is an example of a Sedative?
Opium.
What is an example of a Stimulant?
Cocaine.
What is an example of a Hallucinogen?
(Psilocybin) mushrooms.
What are the different sections of the Drugs Wheel?
- Stimulants.
- Empathogens.
- Hallucinogens.
- Dissociatives.
- Cannabinoids.
- Depressants.
- Opiods.
What is an example of a Stimulant?
Amphetamine.
What is an example of an Empathogen?
Ecstasy.
What is an example of a Psychedelic/ Hallucinogen?
LSD.
What is an example of a Dissociative?
Ketamine.
What is an example of a Cannabinoid?
Cannabis.
What is an example of a Depressant?
Diazepam.
What is an example of an Opioid?
Morphine.
What different drug related equipment do you look for at a crime scene?
- Drugs.
- Potential Cutting Agents.
- Packaging Materials.
- Drug Paraphernalia (torniquets, syringles etc.).
- Evidence of dealing (small electronic scales, baggies, burner phone etc.).
What type of methods do you use for Drug Trace Sample Analysis?
Intrumental Methods (ATR, FTIR).
What type of methods do you use for Drug Bulk Sample Analysis?
Presumptive Tests and TLC. Then Instrumental Methods after.
What are the different ways you can do Confirmatory Identification of Drugs?
- 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).
Describe the smell and colour of Cannabis.
- Peppery smell.
- Green/Brown plant based matter.
Describe Crack Cocaine.
It crackles when burnt because of the baking soda content.
Describe Free Cocaine.
It is less stable as it doesn’t contain baking soda.
Explain the colour/ composition of Heroin.
Standard can be fluffy white powder and Usual/ Street drugs can be dirty brown colour.
Explain the colour(s) of Amphetamine.
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.
What are Drug Ballistics?
Sometimes impressions/ stamps can be found on drugs or the packaging to direct to certain suppliers.
What are OTC drugs?
‘Over the counter’ drugs.
What are examples of OTC Drugs?
- Diazepam.
- Pills (pain killers).
- ‘Pink Cocaine’, Ketamine, Fentanyl, Synthetic Amines.
Tend to be abused more than other types of drugs.
What type of Note Taking do you have to do?
Contemporaneous Note Taking.
What are Contemporaneous Notes?
They are notes as you go through analaysis, noting every step you take AT THE TIME OF EXAMINATION!
What must you keep Record Notes in? Why?
A Hardback Book - in case you spill acid and it burns.
What things must be included in Practical Records?
- Title - short.
- Date - full date (ie. 28th September 2024).
- Introduction - brief ouline - reason.
- Experimental - (Method) including exact details - not everything down with a timestamp.
- Results & Discussion - record results in tables amd graphs where necessary.
- Conclusion(s) - brief synopsis + positive and negative comments.
Why are Contemporaneous Notes important?
- 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.
What is Continuity?
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.
What are the different sheets in the documentation of Lab Notes?
- Index Sheet.
- Documentation Log Sheet.
- Laboratory Submission Sheet.
- General Examination Sheet.
- Examination Record.
What do you have to make sure about your work area when examining evidence?
It is clean and free from contamination.
What do you have to look for on the evidence before opening it?
Any signs of Tampering/ Integrity of outer packaging.
What do you need to make sure when packaging evidence?
That it is packaged in the correct type of packaging (suitable).
What different things do you need to write in the examination record about the evidence?
- Size.
- Colour.
- Volume.
- Condition.
- Unusual Features.
- Weight (especially if a suspected drug sample - used in court).
What can you do with Documental Evidence?
They can be photocopied as this isn’t destructive.
What type of examinations should you do first?
Non-destructive ones - to try and maintain the evidence.
When you have completed the examination, what do you have to do?
- 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.
