Field Investigation Drug Officer Recommended Practices Guide

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Field Investigation Drug OfficerRecommended
Practices Guide

• David L. Sylvester
• Deputy Chief Scientist

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Further Information

• David L. Sylvester
• National Forensic Science Technology Center
• 727-549-6067 or dls_at_nfstc.org

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Concept

• The critical concern for drug related backlogged
  cases prompted the National Institute of Justice
  to address the issue through the National Law
  Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center
  (NLECTC) partnering with the Forensic Resource
  Network (FRN).

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Initial Steps

• Drug Detection Technology Focus Group
• Included representatives from NIJ, DEA, NLECTC,
• forensic science organizations, judicial
  community,
• crime laboratory community, academic
  institutions and law enforcement.
• Meetings
• December 15,2003 in Washington D.C.
• March 11,2004 in San Diego, CA.
• June 3, 2004 in Phoenix, AZ.
• National Forensic Science Technology
  Center assumed project management role
• at the Phoenix meeting.
• August 9,10,11, 2004 in Largo, FL.
• Subject matter expert panel on program
  development.

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Program Mission

• The development of a Field Investigation Drug
  Officer (FIDO) Recommended Practices Guide which
  can be utilized to benefit all law enforcement
  and the forensic laboratory community.
• Quick facts
• Approximately 19,000 law enforcement
  agencies submit drug evidence to laboratories
  across the country.
• NFLIS statistics reveal approximately 80 of all
  2003 controlled substances laboratory submissions
  were in four drug classifications. (Marijuana,
  Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Heroin).
• .

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Program Objectives

• Provide for certified law enforcement officers to
  be capable of field testing controlled substances
  in a standardized manner.
• Provide prosecutors and courts the ability to
  utilize field testing results at a consensus
  level of confidence reducing court backlogs.
• Provide the opportunity to reduce controlled
  substances case backlogs within the crime
  laboratory community.
• Provide for program expansion capabilities as
  technology advancements are tested and validated.
  

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Focus Group Issues

• Legal acceptability
• Program flexibility and adaptability
• Ease of program monitoring
• Quality assured and controlled program
• Statistically recordable data

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Phoenix Model

• Phoenix Police Department (6/2000)
• Initial intensive 2 day training course that
  certifies officers.
• Certified officers may perform test for
  non-certified officers.
• Recertification is required annually.
• Evidence must be considered useable quantity and
  not exceed sentencing thresholds.
• Utilized only in simple possession cases to
  obtain plea agreement.

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Phoenix Model

• Training includes drug history, characteristics
  and effects, competency and proficiency
  requirements.
• Officers are trained in affidavit and court
  testimony preparation.
• Officers are provided information regarding field
  test kit pros and cons.
• Case progressing to court require laboratory
  analysis.
• Officers are instructed to utilized their field
  knowledge of drugs to assist them in their
  interpretations.
• Laboratory performs quality assurance testing on
  a continuous basis.

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Phoenix Model

• Statistical data for Phoenix program
• 2001 2002 2003
• Request for lab service 9147
  9594 6225
• Field Identifications
  1180 1957 5757
• Caseload Reduction 8.8
  17 48
• Quality Assurance reanalysis 138
  315 1128
• Error rates .7 .26
  .05
• Field ID requiring court analysis 2
  9 18
• Utilizing the cost of approximately 50.00 per
  lab analysis, a saving realization of at least
  388,300 to the lab alone!

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Program Development

• Objectives
• 1. Specify requirements for officer KSAs
• 2. Promote professional development
• 3. Means of information exchange
• 4. Promote high ethical standards
• 5. Provide minimum standards
• 6. Establish QA requirements
• 7. Seek national acceptance

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Program Methodology

• 1. Executive Summary
• Scope and objectives
• Statistical information
• Quantified cost data
• Legal acceptability process
• Quality control
• Document control
• Management oversight
• Measurement of effectiveness

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Program Methodology

• 2. Training Program Element
• - Personnel standards (Trainer Trainee)
• Initial qualifications and pre-requisites
• Knowledge, skills and abilities requirements
• Trainer background
• Training syllabus
• Workbook / training record
• Skills

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Program Methodology

• Training Program Element (cont.)
• Performance standards
• Knowns
• Unknowns
• Competency assessment practical exam (100)
  written exam (80)
• Laboratory review and assessment
• Certification and recertification process
• Remedial training

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Program Methodology

• 3.Program Administration
• Program Scope and objectives
• Auditing schedule
• Method for defining deficiencies
• Corrective action process
• Suspension and reinstatement process
• Remedial training
• Program reporting and evaluation

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Final Program Thought

• This Field Investigation Drug Officer (FIDO)
  Recommended Practices Guide can ultimately
  provide law enforcement a program to assist in
  drug enforcement efforts while realizing
  significant benefits to the legal and forensic
  laboratory community.