Section 4: Forensic Science in Drug Cases

Fundamentals of Drug Enforcement by Adam J. McKee and Scott Bransford.

Forensic science plays a critical role in the investigation and prosecution of drug-related crimes. Section 4 explores the scientific methods and procedures used to gather, analyze, and present evidence in drug cases. Mastery of these forensic techniques is essential for law enforcement officers, investigators, and legal professionals to ensure that cases are built on solid evidence and that justice is served.

We begin with Drug Identification and Analysis (Section 4.1), focusing on the techniques used to detect and classify controlled substances. Accurate identification is crucial for both investigation and prosecution. Next, we explore Toxicology and Overdose Investigations (Section 4.2), which deals with understanding the presence and impact of drugs in the human body, particularly in cases involving overdose or poisoning.

Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody (Section 4.3) outlines the protocols for gathering and preserving physical evidence, ensuring that it remains intact and admissible in court. In today’s digital age, Digital Forensics in Drug Crimes (Section 4.4) has become increasingly important for uncovering online drug activity, including trafficking and illicit transactions.

Lastly, we examine The Role of Expert Witnesses (Section 4.5), where forensic scientists testify in court to help explain complex scientific findings, bridging the gap between law and science in drug-related cases.

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File Created:  10/08/2024

Last Modified:  10/11/2024

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