The Crime Lab Drug Identification Unit analyzes evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department for the presence or absence of controlled substances.
Types of evidence typically received by the Drug Identification Unit include: powders, tablets/capsules, plant material, and other substances suspected to contain controlled substances.
Several analytical techniques are utilized to confirm controlled substances in evidence submissions such as Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography/Infrared Spectroscopy. Scientists will often present their findings as an expert witness in a court of law.
The Toxicology Unit conducts analysis of blood for the presence of alcohol and drugs, primarily in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases. The purpose of the Unit is to provide our client with comprehensive screening and confirmatory/quantitative testing that can be used in a court of law.
The Toxicology Unit utilizes several instruments in the analysis of alcohol and drugs. Headspace Gas Chromatography with Dual Flame Ionization and Mass Spectrometer detectors is used for alcohol analysis. The unit screens for drugs by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Drugs are confirmed and quantitated by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
Supervisor
Additional Staff
6 Forensic Scientists
Related Photos
Evidence submission of counterfeit tablets
Concealment of marijuana in PVC pipe
Contents of PVC pipe (Marijuana)
Scientist reviewing FTIR data
Evidence submission of compressed solid material (kilos of Cocaine)
Compressed solid material with emblem (Cocaine)
Microscopic examination of Marijuana
Scientist performing microscopic examination of Marijuana
Scientist loading evidence samples (extracts) on the GC/MS (Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer) to be analyzed for the presence of controlled substances
Instrumentation for toxicology analysis.
Toxicologist working cases.
Drug screen results on instrument.
Fume hood for ventilation of volatile chemicals.
Blood alcohol analysis instrumentation.
Blood alcohol results from instrumentation.
Scientist learning to pipette
Instrument Maintenance on the LCMSMS. These instruments are used for drug screening and quantitation.
Instrument Maintenance on the LCMSMS.