Clan Lab Flashcards
List 8 signs of a clan lab from the exterior?
- Chemical odor’s (sweet, bitter, ammonia or solvent smells).
- Exhaust fans running at odd times
- Frequent visitors at odd hours.
- Windows blacked out.
- People coming outside to smoke only.
- Occupants unfriendly, appear secretive.
- Expensive security equipment.
- Access denied to landlords and neighbors.
In addition to action outlined in Operating Procedures, what 7 things should you also remember in a situation of unplanned entry to a Clan Lab?
- Leave area immediately, your safety is paramount.
- Never touch, taste or smell chemicals.
- Do not attempt to stop the chemical reaction or turn off electrical devices.
- Do not shut off water supply to the house.
- Do not smoke in or near the clan lab.
- Do not use tools, radio, cell phones or torches that might produce a spark.
- Do not re-enter the premise.
What is the primary concern and secondary concern when dealing with Clan Labs?
Primary - staff safety and public safety is paramount.
Secondary - collection of evidence.
What are the 3 processes or stages relating to Clan Labs?
- Extraction - finished drug, removed from raw material by use of chemical solvents.
- Conversion - one form of a drug is changed into a more desirable form.
- Synthesis - to produce the desired drug. The original materials may already be a controlled substance.
Note - each type of clan pan could be present at a single site.
What is an unplanned entry to clan labs and 8 steps to take in this situation?
Unplanned = Clan lab discovered during the course of normal duties.
1. Immediately alert all attending staff of the clan lab.
2. Immediately remove all POIs from the premise.
3. Isolate the site and maintain safety perimeter.
4. Preserve crime scene.
5. Notify duty inspector or duty NCO, contact NCLRT and where appropriate fire and ambo.
6. Seek advice from NCLRT member or FENZ about decontamination procedures.
7. Occupants and staff who entered the address must stay separate until decontamination issues are addressed.
8. Seek medial advise if you experience adverse effects.
List 6 signs of a Clan Lab from the interior?
- Laboratory glassware and equipment.
- Containers with clear liquids with a chalky coloured solid on the bottom or similar.
- Containers with two layered liquids in them, one dark layer and one clear.
- Used coffee filigrees containing either a white pasty of reddish substance.
- Baking dishes containing crystalline substance.
- Presence of hot plates near chemicals.
What is a planned entry re clan labs and 6 considerations when planning the entry?
Planned entry = when you have knowledge of the suspected clan lab ahead of time, which allows time to apply for a SW and plan for the execution. You must consult NCLRT before executing.
- Whether it is an active or inactive laboratory.
- The number and nature of offenders present.
- Lab location.
- Proximity to persons or property.
- Type and size of lab.
- Firearms, weapons and booby traps.
What is the minimum level of PPE for initial entry team for Clan Labs?
- Flame retardant overalls.
- Chemical and flame resistant coveralls.
- Boots.
- Fire resistant gloves
- Balaclava.
- Police SRBA vest.
- APRs with air filters.
What is the 90 second rule regarding clan labs?
This rule assumes that if offenses are present and moving around inside the lab, then the atmosphere will sustain life.
Assumes that the entry team wearing appropriate PPE may safely enter and extract suspects for 90 seconds.
List 8 symptoms of exposure to clan labs?
- Headaches
- Watery or burning eyes
- Nausea
- Burning skin
- Coughing or choking
- Pain in the diaphragm
- Feeing of coldness or weakness
- Shortness of breath and dizziness
What 6 considerations should be given for immediate actions at the scene of a clan lab where CYP are present?
O/C investigation will coordinate-
- Removal of CYP from the immediate scene.
- Assigning officers to look after an monitor the CYP.
- Age appropriate, explain to the CYP what’s going to happen to them, ie they need to use special clothing.
- Assessment of CYP by ambulance staff for injury, illness or respiratory distress. (If immediate medical attention is needed it takes priority over the decontamination process).
- Request for OT attendance at scene.
- Most appropriate decontamination process for the CYP.
List 4 actions to take with CYP found at a clan lab?
- Photograph CYP at the scene.
- Record physical condition of CYP including injuries.
- Record mental state of CYP.
- Pre-Lin interview with CYP to include: basic health questions (headaches, nausea etc), occupants details, details of other CYPs at the address, name of their doctor.
List 4 examples of actions to take during handover of CYP to social worked, at clan lab?
- Inform the OT social worker of power/authority to remove CYP before placing them in OT custody.
- Supply OT social worked with a copy of the S39 warrant or a copy of the completed S42 placement form.
- Brief the social worker with relevant information (pre-lim information).
- Brief the social worked of any health and safety concerns resulting from the medical assessment.
OT are responsible for the placement of the CYP.
List 5 steps the O/C investigation will do re follow up with OT after the CYP is found at a clan lab?
- Together with OT, prioritize locating any CYPs absent from the address at the time of Police intervention.
- Ensure the CYP exposed to the clan lab is checked by a doctor ASAP and within 24 hours of being located.
- Ensure medical exam of CYP is completed and evidential hair or urine samples are taken.
- Refer all cases where consent is an issue, due to age of CYP, to legal section ASAP.
- Ensure hair samples and toxicology kits are collected from the doctor and forwarded with a POL143 form to ESR.
State the sections and Act that is relevant to Police Powers at Clan Labs and what do these provide?
S103, S135-S137 of Hazardous Substance and New Organism’s Act 1996 contains emergency powers that Police may use when dealing with clan labs.
