USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports

USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports

On March 31, 2015, in Announcements, Ethics, GC-FID & GC/MS, Infrared Spectroscopy, Laboratory Procedure, Pharmacology, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports   On March 23, 2015, Attorneys Justin J. McShane of The McShane Firm, LLC and Josh D. Lee of Ward, Lee and Coats moderated a symposium at the national American Chemical Society meeting in Denver, Colorado. The symposium concerned the chemistry and the law […]

It depends on what your definition of “positive” is? TLC in marijuana testing

It depends on what your definition of “positive” is? TLC in marijuana testing

On November 18, 2014, in Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Like Bill Clinton’s famous re-framing of the issue in this video: It depends on what your definition of “positive” is? TLC in marijuana testing We have posted here before about the Thorton-Nakumura protocol that is used throughout the United States for the prosecution of illegal possession of marijuana (in its solid drug dose pre-consumption form). […]

What else smells like marijuana? Is “smells like marijuana” a valid perception by police?

What else smells like marijuana? Is “smells like marijuana” a valid perception by police?

On October 29, 2014, in Forensic Discipline, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Judge: “What else smells like marijuana, counsel?” Attorney: “Is ‘smells like marijuana’ a valid perception by police?” The problem is that “smells like marijuana” reports are entirely an unverifiable subjective opinion. It is unverifiable because even if marijuana is found that might be a function of random chance as opposed to olfactory detection. Smell is […]

Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab

Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab

On August 26, 2014, in Ethics: Scientist, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab It is perhaps ironic that Columbia, South Carolina’s police department’s patch boldly states the city’s motto: “Justitia virtutum regina” which translates to “Justice, the Queen of Virtues.” Is there justice when people are wrongly […]

Joseph Graves Allegations

Joseph Graves Allegations

On February 5, 2014, in Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Human integrity. All forensic science boils down to human integrity. Here is a story of allegations of a failure of both human integrity and also of a quality assurance as well as evidence integrity policies, protocols, and procedures. (Remember, all people even Joseph Graves is presumed innocent.) Where is the indictment of the laboratory?  Were […]

“I Googled it” said the crime lab

“I Googled it” said the crime lab

On January 7, 2014, in Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Identification, In The Courtroom, Infrared Spectroscopy, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

We have posted here before stories about drug seizures and identifications that are wrong. Basically, the old: “I know it is a drug just by looking at it” police work. It is a modern malicious marvel that creeps into the courtroom. Roadside screening tests such as the NIK Public Safety Reagent Based Tests Can Provide […]

The scariest words in criminal court: “Based upon my training, knowledge and experience”

The scariest words in criminal court: “Based upon my training, knowledge and experience”

On December 17, 2013, in Chemistry, In The Courtroom, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Seven little words have likely cause more convictions than anything else in all of criminal law combined: “Based upon my training, knowledge and experience.” Every day, in thousands of courtrooms all across the Untied States this phrase is uttered. It has come to be the sine qua non in all criminal prosecutions. Many times it […]

Stereoselectivity matters in methamphetamine: The Science of Breaking Bad cook makes both D and L forms of meth

Stereoselectivity matters in methamphetamine: The Science of Breaking Bad cook makes both D and L forms of meth

On August 27, 2013, in Chemistry, GC-FID & GC/MS, Identification, In The Courtroom, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Methamphetamine analysis comes down to the stereoselectivity capabilities in the crime laboratory. Stereoselectivity is crucial in a crime laboratory. The ability of an analytical chemistry device to be specific to a type of a form of drug is key. Stereoselectivity is one of those key functions. Even the venerable workhorse of analytical chemistry in a crime […]