DRUG IDENTIFICATION AND THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY (16MM COLOR FILM - 19 MINUTES)

• NCJ Number: 17752
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 0 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National District Atorneys Assoc
• Corporate Author: Woroner Films
• Sale Source: MTI; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

DEMONSTRATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CONTROLLED, OBSERVED PURCHASE, POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRABAND, AND ESTABLISHED CONTINUITY OF THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY TO THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF A NARCOTICS CASE.

Abstract

POLICE NARCOTICS TEAM ARRANGE A CONTROLLED 'BUY' BY A PAID INFORMANT WHO MEETS WITH A DEALER IN A RESTAURANT UNDER SURVEILLANCE CONDITIONS, MAKES THE CONNECTION AND DELIVERS AMPHETAMINE PILLS TO THE OFFICERS. TRIAL SCENES DEPICT THE TESTIMONY OF THE INFORMANT, THE ARRESTING OFFICER, AND THE EXPERT WITNESS, A FORENSIC CHEMIST. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE POTENTIAL FOR ERROR IN BUILDING A NARCOTICS CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CASE TO BE THROWN OUT. ILLUSTRATED IS THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL LAB TECHNICIAN AS AN EXPERT WITNESS AND HOW THE PROSECUTOR CAN MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF HIS TESTIMONY. ALSO SHOWN ARE POSSIBLE DEFENSE TACTICS AND REDIRECT METHODS OF HANDLING IT.