Controlled Substances Technical Manual Approval Date: 06/01/2018 Document Number: 4561 Approved By: David Gouldthorpe, Kim Murga, Cassandra Robertson Revision Number: 9 Date Published: 06/01/2018 Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Forensic Laboratory 5605 W. Badura Ave. Ste. 120B Las Vegas, NV 89118 Controlled Substances Technical Manual ARCHIVED Uncontrolled Copy if not located in Qualtrax Page 1 of 247 Controlled Substances Technical Manual Approval Date: 06/01/2018 Document Number: 4561 Approved By: David Gouldthorpe, Kim Murga, Cassandra Robertson Revision Number: 9 Date Published: 06/01/2018 Chapter Title TOC Table of Contents Introduction 1.0 Color Tests 1.1 Microcrystal Examinations 1.2 Chromatography 1.3 Infrared Spectroscopy 1.4 Mass Spectrometry 1.5 X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry 1.6 Raman Spectroscopy 1.7 Technical Review 1.8 Evidence Handling 2.0 Controlled Substances Analysis Introduction 2.1 Controlled Substances Analysis - Quality Control 2.2 Controlled Substances Analysis Protocol 2.3 Marijuana Analysis 2.4 Opium Analysis 2.5 Analysis of Fentanyl and Other Fentanyl-Related Substances 3.0 Analytical Guidelines For Frequently Encountered Substances 4.0 Quantitative Analysis 5.0 Department Drug Related Operations Procedure 5.1 Retain Procedures for Department Drug Related Operations 5.2.1 Creating a New LIMS Request for Reverse Sting Operations 5.2.2 Reverse Sting Operations – Transferring Cleared Evidence 5.2.3 Reverse Sting Operations – Return of Evidence by Officer 5.3.1 Creating a New LIMS Request for K9 Training Aids 5.3.2 K9 Operations - Transferring/Releasing Cleared Evidence 5.3.3 K9 Operations - Repackaging/Reweighing of Training Aids 5.3.4 K9 Operations – Return of Training Aids by LVMPD Officers 5.4.1 Creating a New LIMS Request for Preliminary Field Test Kits Preliminary Color Field Test Training Kits – Transferring of Cleared 5.4.2 ARCHIVEDEvidence 5.4.3 Preliminary Raman Training Kits – Transferring Of Cleared Evidence 5.5 ACE Procedures for Releases/Transfers In/Transfers Out 5.6 Procedures Prior to Returning Used Kits to the Evidence Vault 6.0 Clandestine Laboratory Response 7.0 Clandestine Laboratory Analysis 8.0 Reporting 9.0 Retraining 10.0 Color Test Reagents Quality Control and Recipes 11.0 Common Recipes 12.0 Estimating the Uncertainty of Measurement Uncontrolled Copy if not located in Qualtrax Page 2 of 247 Controlled Substances Technical Manual Approval Date: 06/01/2018 Document Number: 4561 Approved By: David Gouldthorpe, Kim Murga, Cassandra Robertson Revision Number: 9 Date Published: 06/01/2018 Chapter Title Appendix I Derivatizing Reagents Appendix II Column Test Checks Appendix III Abbreviations Appendix IV Software Versions Appendix V Instrument Manufacturer Manuals Appendix VI Changing Compressed Gas Cylinders Appendix VII Filing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Appendix VIII Routine GC/MS Instrument Maintenance Appendix IX Logging Reagents into LIMS Appendix X Logging Reference Materials into LIMS Appendix XI Logging Used Reference Materials into the Inventory Appendix XII Verifying Reference Materials Appendix XIII Preparing GC/MS Stock Solutions and Aliquots Appendix XIV Receiving Chemicals Appendix XV Controlled Reference Material Inventory Audit Appendix XVI Non-Controlled Reference Material Inventory Audit Appendix XVII Disposal of Materials Appendix XVIII Weights and Measures Appendix XIX References ARCHIVED Uncontrolled Copy if not located in Qualtrax Page 3 of 247 Controlled Substances Technical Manual Approval Date: 06/01/2018 Document Number: 4561 Approved By: David Gouldthorpe, Kim Murga, Cassandra Robertson Revision Number: 9 Date Published: 06/01/2018 LVMPD FORENSIC LABORATORY TECHNICAL PROCEDURES CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES Title: INTRODUCTION - CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES The following analytical techniques are offered as recommended procedures currently available and utilized for the analysis of suspected controlled substances samples within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), Forensic Laboratory, Chemistry Detail. The concept of a preset list of tests does not apply to the complexity of controlled substances analysis. The individual skills, judgment, and experience of the Forensic Scientists, coupled with the form, composition, and sample size of the exhibit determine which specific tests may be required. The information in this manual was collected from numerous sources, including input from the Forensic Scientists and Managers of this laboratory system. In that regard, it meets the goal of providing the Forensic Laboratory with a workable guideline encompassing established facts, principles, and theories widely accepted by the general scientific community. The intent for the identification of controlled/non-controlled substances within the Forensic Laboratory is to respond to the needs of the investigative agencies, the courts, and ultimately, the citizens they serve. The Forensic Laboratory facility provides sufficient environmental conditions to conduct all tests listed in the Technical Manual with no further consideration required. New procedures must be validated before use. New critical equipment or instruments that do not require a validation must be performance checked within the Chemistry Detail before use. Forensic Scientists assigned to the Controlled Substances Unit will be required to complete the training program that is defined in the Controlled Substances Training Manual. The level of experience and understanding of the information will define the speed and direction of the training program. All Forensic Scientists, no matter their past work experience, must successfully complete a competency test and a mock court prior to supervised casework. ARCHIVED Uncontrolled Copy if not located in Qualtrax Page 4 of 247 Controlled Substances Technical Manual Approval Date: 06/01/2018 Document Number: 4561 Approved By: David Gouldthorpe, Kim Murga, Cassandra Robertson Revision Number: 9 Date Published: 06/01/2018 LVMPD FORENSIC LABORATORY TECHNICAL PROCEDURES CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES 1.0 Title: COLOR TESTS INTRODUCTION: Chemical color tests are nonspecific screening tests that provide presumptive data as to the nature of the substance. Typically these are performed at the beginning of an analysis. If the size of the sample is sufficient, perform the appropriate color tests required to provide an indication of any compounds that may be present. The color tests are conducted by transferring a small amount of a substance to a well on a clean porcelain or disposable plastic spot plate or into another appropriate vessel. A drop of the chosen color reagent(s) is then placed into the well. A description of any color or lack of color which is observed shall be documented contemporaneously at the time of the test. The case notes shall clearly indicate how many samples were color tested per item. The case notes can reflect either the number of samples tested or which specific samples were tested. For example: If Marquis was performed on nine (9) of the twelve (12) samples, the result can be written as “Result: [color] x 9” or as “Result: [color] (1)-(9).” If there is a single sample in the item it is not necessary to indicate the number of samples tested. Documenting the color result is sufficient and it is implied that only one (1) sample was tested. If the same color test is repeated on a sample, then an additional color test entry must be added to the case notes. This additional color test indicates that the same color test was repeated on this particular item a second time. For example, the Marquis color test was performed two (2) different times on the same item, which consists of six (6) packages. The case notes will reflect: Test: Result: Marquis ARCHIVED[C072016-1] Orange x 6 or Orange (1)-(6) Test: Result: Marquis [C072016-1] Orange x 6 or Orange (1)-(6) Color test(s) information and/or results will never be deleted from case notes. If the color test is repeated any number of times, then every additional test(s) must be documented in the case notes; the color test results will not be altered without an explanatory note added to the case notes. Uncontrolled Copy if not located in Qualtrax Page 5 of 247 Controlled Substances Technical Manual Approval Date: 06/01/2018 Document Number: 4561 Approved By: David Gouldthorpe, Kim Murga, Cassandra Robertson Revision Number: 9 Date Published: 06/01/2018 ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS: There is always a certain amount of subjectivity that must be taken into account when a color is reported. It is not uncommon for two analysts to describe the same color differently. Aside from the differences in reporting colors that can be attributed to the analyst, colors can also be influenced by the concentration of the sample in the reagent, by the presence of contaminants, or by the age of the reagent. Also, the length of time during which the colors are observed may influence the color reported because color transitions and instabilities are not unusual. Allowances should, therefore, be made for these differences, especially with evidence items where the concentration of the chemical or the presence or composition of any contaminant is unknown. REAGENTS: The appropriate Reagent Worksheet found in Qualtrax shall be used to record reagent preparation. It is acceptable to scale final volumes up or down as long as the amount of each component is propely ratioed and recorded. Reagents should be made in quantities to minimize waste. The formulations for the most commonly used color test reagents