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Laboratories
In addition, DEA laboratories derive strategic intelligence through in-depth analysis of seized drugs. This includes: The identification of occluded (trapped) solvents in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy); the examination of logos and tablet characteristics of Ecstasy and related "Club Drug" tablets; and the determination of the geographical and/or synthetic origins of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These "Signature Programs" help DEA monitor the trafficking patterns of drugs entering the United States. The analysis of Domestic Monitor Program samples provides price/purity information for heroin sold at the retail level. Since their inception, DEA laboratories have applied the latest technologies to support criminal investigations. Beginning in the 1970's, DEA laboratories were at the forefront of forensic science by applying gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to forensic drug analysis. The novel use of state-of-the-art instruments continued into the 1990's as DEA's laboratories kept pace with developments in scientific instrumentation and computer technologies. Today, DEA laboratories are working with innovative technologies that will enable the laboratory system to remain at the forefront of forensic drug science. Some of these include: Capillary Electrophoresis (CE); Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS); Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS); and Raman Spectrometry. The DEA is also continuing to upgrade and expand its laboratory facilities. The South Central Laboratory (Dallas), Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Northern Virginia), and Mid-Atlantic Laboratory (Washington, DC), relocated in January, May, and June of 2002, respectively. The Southwest Laboratory (San Diego) is scheduled to move in late 2002 or early 2003. New facilities for the Southeast Laboratory (Miami) and Western Laboratory (San Francisco) are slated for construction. The DEA is further expanding its laboratory capabilities with the development of sub-regional and mobile laboratories. Sub-regional laboratories are smaller versions of DEA's main (regional) laboratories. They bring laboratory support services closer to the source of intense illicit drug activity. DEA opened its first High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) sub-regional laboratory in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1997 (later moved to Kansas City, Missouri), and the first sub-regional laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1999. Mobile laboratories are small, vehicle-based laboratories that can be driven from site to site, and enable DEA Forensic Chemists to conduct on-location analyses of seized drugs. The first mobile laboratory was delivered to the DEA Southwest Laboratory in July 2000 and was deployed to Tucson, Arizona. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2000, the DEA laboratory system analyzed 73,146 suspected controlled substance exhibits for analysis. This represent an approximate 40% increase in drug evidence analyses over the past five years. |
Scientific
support to DEA Special Agents and other law enforcement personnel is one
of the critical functions provided by DEA forensic chemists. This encompasses
a wide variety of duties and forensic disciplines, including: Analyses
of controlled substances and related substances and processing chemicals;
crime scene investigation; latent fingerprint identification and photographic
development; analysis and evaluation of digital (computer) evidence; development,
monitoring, and processing of hazardous waste cleanups and disposals;
and expert witness testimony.