Operator Course

Trace Sampling Equipment Overview Analysis Calibration Course Overview

Trace Traces are microscopic amounts of particles and vapors. Narcotic substances are organic and constantly emit ‘traces’. The VaporTracer detects traces down to nanogram levels.

The VT2 is just one more tool to help you improve your ability to detect narcotic traces. Use it along with your X-ray, metal detectors, canine units, physical inspections, and current security measures. Trace

Substances Detected READY k 10k COC l _ _ HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _ P+

Traces cling to anything they touch. Traces transfer from person to person, person to object, object to object and airborne. Trace How Do Traces Get Transferred?

Cargo, mail, and packages Conveyance access - Security access points, border crossings, checkpoints Baggage Facilities protection - government buildings, correctional institutions Trace Applications

Gun Radio lined with narcotics Pepper spray Laptop with concealed narcotics Stun gun Narcotics traces on a person’s hands Trace Which of the following can be detected with the VT2?

What are some of the traces the VT2 can detect? What are some things the VT2 cannot detect? Are narcotics traces illegal? How are traces transferred? Trace

·Particle – Most reliable method. Uses a different collection procedure. ·Vapor – Certain substances give off less vapor than others. Temperature is a factor for collecting vapor. Sample vapor release points. Sampling

l Sampling Traps l Sampling Wand l Gloves l Sampling Table or Area l Alcohol (isopropyl 70% or greater) Sampling Materials and Equipment for Particle Sampling

Vapor Plate White Spacer Locking Ring Check Sample Sampling Materials and Equipment for Vapor Sampling

l Person whose item you are sampling should be present. l Sample one item at a time. l Use firm pressure. l Sample in one direction, one time. l Sample most touched areas last. Sampling Particle Sampling Fundamentals

People: l Hands l Belts l Pockets Sampling Particle Sampling Fundamentals

Vehicles: l Door handle l Gas cap l Steering wheel l Knobs l Seat Belt l Luggage l Wherever there may be a fingerprint. l Avoid sampling engine parts. Sampling Particle Sampling Fundamentals

Luggage/Bags/Briefcases: l Handles l Straps l Zipper tabs l Latches l Interior seams and linings l Commonly touched areas Sampling Particle Sampling Fundamentals

Electronic Devices: l Vents l Seams l Battery compartments l Disk drives l Edges l Latches AVOID SAMPLING: l Monitors l Keyboards l Camera lenses Sampling Particle Sampling Fundamentals

l Sample vapor release points. l Get as close as possible to the vapor release point without touching it. l Temperature affects vapor samples. l Substances emit different levels of vapor. Sampling Vapor Sampling Fundamentals

What are some particle sampling fundamentals? Vapor? What areas could we sample on a vehicle? Electronic item? Luggage? What areas do we avoid sampling? Why? When do we discard a sample trap? Sampling

Desorber Start button Navigation buttons Display screen Power switch Power receptacle Battery Equipment Overview

READY k 10k COC l _ _ HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _ P+ Equipment Overview

MENU 1 1: 19 SELECT SUBSTANCE BEEPER OFF LIGHT ON METHOD VAP CAL EXT INT ON OFF PART Equipment Overview

STATUS BAT DETACHED HTR l 200 FLO OK PMP OK DATE TIME 01 : 31 PM Equipment Overview

Unit is ready 30 minutes after a cold start. Unit should be powered-on 24/7. Default 5 minute warm-up time. Default 15 minute warm-up time when changing the desorber. Power down only as directed by pressing the switch to the center position Equipment Overview

Where is the sampling trap placed? Which button takes you to other screens? How long is a cold-start warm up? When do you shut the unit down? Equipment Overview

Place the sample trap into the desorber. Press the Start button to begin analysis. When in Vapor mode, hold the Start button for as long as necessary. Analysis begins when the Start button is released. Maintain control of the item you are sampling. Observe Ready or Alarm on the display. Remove the sampling trap. If Ready, reuse the trap. If Alarm, discard trap and gloves. Analysis Procedures

Resolve the alarm in accordance with current SOP. Examples: Contact your supervisor. Maintain control of item. Let the owner know that further samples may be necessary. Decontaminate the work area. Analysis Alarm Response ALARM S-CLR E-SV k 10k COC l 4.13 HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _

Save the alarm by pressing ENTER. Clear the unit after saving by pressing START. Decontaminate the work area with alcohol only The unit must be cleared before additional samples can be taken. Analysis Saving Alarms

Make sure the alarm was saved. Press the START button when you see Ready on the display. Insert a new sampling trap and press START. If the new trap alarms, inform the supervisor. In most cases the unit will clear after an alarm. Otherwise, maintenance may be necessary. Analysis Clearing the Unit

What is the indication of an alarm? No alarm? What button do you press to save an alarm? What button do you press to clear the unit? What do you do with the trap after an alarm? Analysis

Calibration introduces a known substance into the detector for identification. After the VaporTracer 2 identifies the calibrant, the software will adjust the positions of all substances. The VaporTracer 2 must be calibrated for accurate detection. Why Calibrate? Calibration

After powering up After changing modes At the beginning of each shift When the unit is moved At higher elevations When atmospheric conditions change (humidity, pressure) When Do You Calibrate? Calibration

Press to begin calibration. Procedure Calibration CAL REQUIRED MENU TO CONTINUE COC l _ _ HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _ P+

,. Use to highlight CAL EXT, then press. MENU 1 SELECT SUBSTANCE BEEPER OFF LIGHT ON METHOD VAP INT ON OFF CAL EXT PART Procedure Calibration

INSERT CAL TRAP TIME STD LAST MENU- TO EXIT -START- TO CAL Insert the calibration trap into the desorber and then press. Procedure Calibration

Press to accept the highlighted peak. STD 8.46 LAST 8.53 HEIGHT TIME -ENTER- TO ACCEPT GET EXPANDED LIST Procedure Calibration

If the proper peak is not highlighted, use to select it. The correct peak is the peak closest to the STD peak (usually between 6 and 8 ms). STD 8.46 LAST 8.53 HEIGHT TIME -ENTER- TO ACCEPT GET EXPANDED LIST Procedure Calibration

CALIBRATION DONE -ENTER- TO CLEAR Procedure Calibration READY k 10k COC l _ _ HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _ P+

Why is calibration necessary? Which menu is used to access calibration? If a calibration peak is not highlighted, which arrow do you use to select the proper peak? When do you calibrate? Calibration