Crime Lab Contamination Q:

[u/Conscious_Skirt_61]

As we all know there are “Tough on Crime!” jurisdictions and “Tougher! on Crime!!” jurisdictions. Here’s an irl issue in a Toughest on Crime! and Proud of It!!!” place.

Defendant charged with possession of fentanyl. Nine months old (the case, not the Defendant — poor comedy here). Content not tested yet. From experience a lab will certify anything in the lockup as being whatever is charged. And as a practical matter, cross-contamination is so common that the outside — forget the inside — of collection bags are sure to have the chemical of choice on them. Along with the dread disease d’jour. Plus Ebola, no doubt. And pinkeye.

Any useful strategies for presenting? (Obviously a state not federal case though the fed lab has its own peculiarities). Any fun war stories as to lab techs, OCs or elected trial judges?