The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Drug Chemistry Discipline operates in five laboratory locations to include:  Huntsville, Birmingham/Hoover, Montgomery, Auburn, and Mobile.

The Drug Chemistry Discipline is charged with the mission of identifying the presence or absence of controlled substances and precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal drugs.  To accomplish this mission the drug chemistry section utilizes a variety of extraction methodologies and analytical instruments.  Evidence submission types include, but are not limited to, powders, plant materials, crystalline materials, tablets, capsules, and liquids.

Evidence Packaging

All evidence submitted for drug analysis should be dry prior to final packaging and submission to the laboratory. 

Fresh (wet) plant material/mushrooms should be air dried and packaged in paper containers prior to submission.  Wet plant material results in moldy or decomposed evidence which is usually not analyzed.

Whole plants must be loosely packaged in cardboard boxes or paper bags.  Tightly packed whole plants will continue to generate heat due to microbial activity.

Samples expected of containing Khat must be stored frozen.  This particular plant material is heat sensitive and the controlled substance breaks down quickly over time.

Acceptable evidence packaging includes sealed envelopes, paper bags, plastic evidence bags, cardboard boxes, glass vials in Nalgene bottles placed in an outer evidence container, and puncture proof containers for syringes.  All evidence submissions must be accompanied by a legible ADFS submission form.

Examples of acceptable evidence packaging:

Health and Safety:

Due to health concerns, the ADFS Forensic Sciences laboratory will not accept hypodermic needles, razor blades or other items capable of puncturing the skin, unless the importance of such evidence can be demonstrated and approval is granted on a case-by-case basis by the Drug Chemistry Section Chief, Drug Chemistry Discipline Chief or Laboratory Director.

If approval is granted, safety hazards such as hypodermic needles and items with sharp edges (such as razor blades, broken glass, etc.) will not be accepted unless properly packaged and labeled as a biohazard.

Drug evidence which may have come in contact with biologically hazardous material must be labeled as a biohazard and the nature of the biohazard should be indicated.

Fentanyl-related substances have been identified in the following evidence submission types:  powders, tablets, capsules, liquids, and blotter papers.  This type of evidence is designated as a hazardous material and should not be handled without the appropriate personal protective equipment (nitrile gloves, N-95 dust mask, eye protection, and lab coat).  Evidence submissions must be sealed within two layers of plastic bag packaging and a notation made on the outer evidence packaging and the submission form that indicate the item is a suspected fentanyl analog.

Large containers or large quantities of liquids/materials will not be accepted from clandestine laboratories except in unusual circumstances (as determined by the Drug Chemistry Section Chief and/ or Laboratory Director).  Samples will only be accepted in proper leak proof containers.

Proper leak proof containers include liquid samples placed in individual sealed glass vials which are then further secured in individual sealed Nalgene type plastic bottles.  If in doubt of the suitability of an evidence container, it may be necessary for some liquid samples to be placed in heat sealed plastic bags prior to analysis. 

At an analyst’s discretion and time permitting, samples may be taken from large containers brought to the laboratory.  The samples will serve as the evidence submission and the containers will be returned immediately to the submitting officer.

Red Phosphorous and Iodine will not be accepted into the laboratory. They are hazardous in nature, constitute a storage problem and are not specifically listed in State Law as a controlled substance or a precursor.

Samples of anhydrous ammonia will not be accepted into the laboratory for analysis. 

Only submit items that need analysis.  For example, items such as rolling papers, paraphernalia with no residue, personal belongings, and field test kits do not need to be submitted for analysis.

Vape cartridges must be separated from the electronic bodies before submission. Cartridges should be placed in a leak-proof container; the electronic body is to be retained at your agency. If cartridges cannot be separated, the battery must be removed from the body and the pen rendered inoperable.

Electronic cigarettes contain an oil that is vaporized utilizing a heat source. The presence of this heat source can create a fire hazard in the laboratory. Prior to submission, the oil cartridge of an electronic cigarette should be removed and submitted without the electronic cigarette. If the cartridge cannot be removed, then the heat source of the electronic cigarette (e.g. battery) MUST be removed. If neither the oil cartridge nor the heat source can be removed, the electronic cigarette WILL NOT be accepted for analysis.

Evidence Seals

A proper Seal is a seal that prevents loss, cross transfer, or contamination while ensuring that attempted entry into the container is detectable.  A proper seal may include a heat seal, tape seal, or a lock. 

Methods of sealing evidence can include, but is not limited to, the use of evidence tape, heat seals, manufactured gum seals, and plastic shipping tape (only on paper evidence containers). Note:  Use of plastic tape on plastic bags or containers does not meet this requirement.

Additionally, the initials or other identification of the person creating the seal shall be placed on the seal or across the seal onto the container when possible. All outer evidence containers must be sealed in a manner that would allow the analysts to readily recognize any tampering (i.e., clear plastic tape, evidence tape or heat sealing). 

Case Evaluation

Each case submitted to the laboratory will be evaluated for analyses according to the priority scheme below.  Analyses will stop once one of the following criteria has been met:

1. Number of items analyzed achieved sufficient weight to meet a trafficking charge.

2. Items analyzed revealed the elements to meet a manufacturing charge.

3. Number of items analyzed achieved sufficient weight to meet an intent to distribute charge.

4. At least one item of non-trafficking weight marihuana (if present) and a controlled substance (if present) is identified. See Note.

5. A controlled substance (if present) is identified.  See Note.

Note:  Using the reasonable person standard, select the item that best represents a danger to the public, whether that be by schedule or quantity.

To expedite case processing times, each item of evidence must be individually packaged and labeled with a brief description of evidence to include suspected analyte and count of contents (ex. 2 bags of suspected cocaine, 34 suspected hydrocodone tablets, etc…). Each item will be evaluated according to the information on the evidence container. Only the item(s) selected for testing will be opened by ADFS personnel.

Deviations that require more than one controlled substance to be tested must be submitted as separate cases.

Effective March 1, 2018, the ADFS Drug Chemistry Discipline will no longer weigh items of evidence that do not qualify for a weight bearing charge (intent to distribute/trafficking).

EVIDENCE EVALUATION FLOWCHART

Multiple Suspects in a Case:

When items are distinctly attributed to individuals in a case, the suspect and the corresponding item(s) should be submitted as separate cases. 

Federal Cases:

ADFS reports cases in accordance to the Code of Alabama; cases that require analyses to meet federal sentencing guidelines should be submitted to the nearest federal laboratory facility for analyses.

Contact Information:

If at any time there are questions about the above policies, please do not hesitate to contact our offices. 

Auburn Laboratory (AB)

1051 Wire Road
Auburn, AL 36830
Office: (334) 887-7001
Fax: (334) 466-5557
Laboratory Director - Melissa Armstrong
    Email

Birmingham Laboratory (BH)

2026 Valleydale Road
Hoover, AL 35244
Office: (205) 982-9292
Fax: (205) 403-2025
Laboratory Director – Justin Sanders
    Email

Dothan Laboratory (DH)

1946 Ennis Road
Dothan, AL 36303
Office: (334) 461-3140
Fax: (334) 461-3185
Laboratory Director – Melissa Armstrong
    Email

Huntsville Laboratory (HV)

5050 Technology Drive NW
Huntsville, AL 35805-5908
Office: (256) 539-1401
Fax: (256) 533-2855
Laboratory Director – Christina Eggleston
    Email

Mobile Laboratory (MB)

1 Forensic Drive
Mobile, AL 36617
Office: (251) 479-2322
Fax: (251) 479-4315
Laboratory Director – Timothy McSpadden
    Email

Montgomery Laboratory (MG)

525 Carter Hill Road
Montgomery, AL 36106
Office: (334) 261-2703
Fax: (334) 240-3284
Laboratory Director - Joseph Lee
    Email

Tuscaloosa Facility (TU)

1450 Warrior Drive, Suite 146
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Office: (205) 348-7728
Fax: (205) 348-7823
** Evidence intake at this facility is only available on Wednesday.

Fire Debris

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Effective February 1, 2022, requests for Fire Debris examinations will only be accepted by ADFS for cases involving crimes against persons (i.e. fatalities). For those cases, ADFS will continue to provide the necessary testing for your office, free of charge, under ADFS’ professional services contract with an accredited fee for service laboratory. Fire Debris cases involving crimes against property will no longer be accepted by ADFS after February 1, 2022.

General Evidence Collection Guidance:

Evidence Documentation

Arson must be regarded as a possible, if not probable, cause of every fire investigated. The value of physical evidence depends upon the proper documentation, collection, and preservation of the evidence from the time of its initial discovery and collection to its subsequent examination and analyses.

Movement or collection of the physical evidence should be avoided until the item has been photographed and documented as to location. Documentation can best be accomplished through notes at the scene, written reports, sketches, and diagrams with accurate measurements and photography. The diagramming and photography should always be completed before the physical evidence is moved or disturbed.

Evidence Collection

1.  Ignitable liquid samples - When a liquid sample is found at the scene, a sample of the liquid should be submitted for analysis.

Ignitable liquids found at the scene (charcoal starters, etc.) should be collected for comparison standards.

The liquid should be collected in a small vial with screw-on caps made of phenolic resin, polyethylene, or Teflon. Sterile cotton balls or gauze pads may be used to adsorb the liquid sample if a vial is not available. The cotton balls or gauze pads are subsequently sealed in a new, unused metal paint can. An unused sample of cotton balls or gauze pads should be submitted to the laboratory for comparison.

Never submit more than a half of cup of liquid to the laboratory for analysis. 

2.  Ignitable liquids absorbed on porous materials - Ignitable liquids may be trapped in porous materials such as a concrete floor.

If the concrete floor can not be removed, an absorbent material such as lime or flour may be spread over the area, allowed to stand for 20-30 minutes and then collected for analyses.

Clean tools and containers for the recovery step must be used since the absorbent may be easily contaminated.

A sample of the unused absorbent should be preserved for analysis as a comparison sample.

3.  Ignitable liquids absorbed by solid materials - Ignitable liquids may be absorbed by solid materials at the fire scene. A few examples of solid materials that may be collected at the fire scene are: wood, carpet, carpet padding, furniture, concrete, cloth material, clothing, shoes, etc.

4. Soil - Soil samples should be submitted to the laboratory as soon as possible. Bacteria in soil can “eat” petroleum-based products.

It has been our experience that positive samples after six weeks of storage were negative for petroleum-based product.

Note: Collection of physical evidence after the fire scene has been released requires a search warrant.

Evidence Containers

1.Metal cans: quart, one-gallon, five-gallon

2.Nylon fire debris bags

DO NOT use plastic bags since ignitable liquids will pass out through the plastic, and never use paper bags or envelopes.