Clan Labs Flashcards
Clan Lab indicators inside/outside:
Inside:
- Lab glassware
- Containers with clear liquids
- Containers with 2 layered liquids
- Used coffee filters containing white paste
- Hot plates near chemicals
Outside:
- Chemical odours (sweet, bitter or ammonia)
- Exhaust fans running at odd times
- Frequent visitors at odd hours
- Expensive security and surveillance gear
- Bottles, plastic containers
Safety considerations and what to do if you encounter a clan lab:
- Leave the area immediately
- Never touch, taste or smell any chemicals or equipment
- Do not attempt to stop the chemical reaction, or turn any electrical devices such as lights or fans on or off
- Do not shut off the water supply to the house or the chemical reaction
- Do not use tools, radios, cell phones, torches or devices that produce sparks or friction
What symptoms can you get from exposure to clan lab chemicals?
- headaches
- watery or burning eyes
- nausea
- burning skin
- coughing
Three processes to a Clan Lab:
- Extraction
- Conversion
- Synthesis
What is the paramount consideration when dealing with a Clan Lab?
Staff safety and safety of the public. Collection of evidence is secondary.
What are the 2 types of Clan Lab investigations:
Unplanned entry
Planned entry
Planned is preferred method.
What is the aim in an unplanned Clan Lab entry?
To rapidly convert the unplanned entry into a planned response with appropriate structure and procedures.
Elaborate on children in Clan Labs:
Considered to be in imminent danger. Immediate action must be taken to remove them to ensure safety and wellbeing.
What is a Clan Lab?
An illicit operation that uses a combination of apparatus and chemicals that have been or could be used in the manufacture or synthesis of drugs or controlled substances.
Immediate Action at the scene (when children involved) 12 steps:
- Remove child
- Assign and officer to look after child.
- Age appropriate explanations to the child (what will happen to them, that they need special clothes)
- Assess for injuries
- Request for CYF attendance
- PPE for CYF staff
- Appropriate decontamination for child
- Photograph child
- Record physical condition
- Record mental state
- Consider swabbing
- Secure clothing
Follow up for O/C investigation regarding kids at Clan Labs:
- Locate any child absent from address
- Ensure children are checked by Dr ASAP
- Ensure medical exam has been completed with hair and urine samples taken
- If consent is an issue due to custody status, call legal
- Collect samples from Hospital and send to ESR
- Forward toxicology report to CYF and examining Dr
- Liaise with CPT
What are the emergency powers for dealing with clan labs?
Section 103A - Powers of entry for inspection relating to hazardous substances
Section 136 - Declaration of Emergency
Section 137 - Emergency powers
Definition of Emergency in Hazardous Substances Act:
(a) actual or imminent danger to human health or safety; or
(b) a danger to the environment or chattels so significant that immediate action is required to remove the danger arising from a hazardous substance or new organism
