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Cooperative Investigations of Methamphetamine Laboratories

NCJ Number
219810
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 76 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2007 Pages: 18-22
Author(s)
Dennis Hanwell
Date Published
August 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In discussing cooperative investigations of methamphetamine (meth) laboratories, this article discusses preliminary considerations, information sources, search procedures, and cleanup practices.
Abstract
The specially trained investigators who execute searches of meth labs face numerous safety concerns because of the toxic chemicals used by the labs and the risk of fire and explosion. Investigating officers must have protection from exposure to hazardous material while remaining sufficiently agile to contain and apprehend uncooperative suspects at the scene. The danger continues for those who come to the lab to conduct evidence collection, documentation, and disposal of the vast amounts of hazardous waste. Investigations of meth labs require preparation and coordination among diverse personnel, including police and fire departments, medical units, appropriate State agencies, and DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) personnel. Preparation for the investigation must include planning for the care of children who may be found in a home-based meth lab, as well as the care of pets in the home. The detection of meth labs is enhanced by alerting the community to the possibility of home-based meth labs in their neighborhoods. Once officers receive information about a suspected meth lab in operation, they must develop probable cause for a search warrant affidavit. This can be done through trash searches for suspicious items linked to meth labs, as well as surveillance to determine the number and variety of individuals visiting the suspected site. Assuming a search warrant has been obtained, this article describes the details of search procedures and cleaning up the site after all evidence has been collected. 11 notes