Drugs As Crime Evidence

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Week 3 Writing Assessment Drugs as Crime Evidence Kimberly Doherty May 20, 2013 ITT Online-Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation Abstract Issues can arise in any situation in the collecting, identifying, and preserving any evidence. However drugs seem to have the most issues. They are not easily identified like blood, hairs, or fibers could be. Drug evidence consists of legal and illegal chemical substances controlled by law. This evidence may include prescription medication (Savage & Freed). The collecting, identifying, and preservation of illegal drugs as crime evidence can cause some possible issues. There are so many different types of drugs out there and it seems that people are constantly finding ways to create…show more content…
This can be an issue because illegal drugs don’t have a label that would clearly say “Illegal Drugs”. A liquid can look like oil, a powder may look like dust, a pill can look like a vitamin or prescription, and even herb (marijuana) could look like grass. * Knowledge can cause an issue in identifying illegal drugs. This can be an issue because whoever is collecting the evidence needs to be aware of what drugs look like and even smell like. I think that special training needs to be obtained and a great amount of attention needs to be given to the training. * Identifying the type can be an issue. This issue will arise because there are so many drugs out in the world. These drugs are usually mixed with each other or even household goods. Several tests may need to be run to figure out what exactly is mixed in. There are several test that police do on scene using reagents that will react with a color if a particular drug is found, but I think that further test need to be done to be sure the full spectrum of what drugs are being dealt with need to be found. * Collecting…show more content…
Each type of drug may require special storing techniques to avoid loss and contamination. Powders maybe found in a plastic bag and this would help however the bag may not be sealed properly and air can get in. Also there can be a hole that is not easily seen. I think that storing the drugs should be done with care, because climate exposure for some evidence collected can ruin the evidence before it can be tested and identified. Drugs can be important as crime evidence and help lead to an arrest. Crime evidence is important no matter what it is. Drugs are a growing epidemic and things change so often. The names of drugs, how they are used and what form they come in change. Issues may always exist with the collecting, identifying, and preserving of illegal drugs. References Savage, K., & Freed, G. (n.d.). Drug evidence. Retrieved from http://www.nij.gov/training/firearms-training/module06/fir_m06_t04_03.htm Saferstein, R. (2004). Criminalistics an introduction to forensic science. (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice

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