Operator Course

1. Operator Course

2. Course Overview • Trace • Sampling • Equipment Overview • Analysis • Calibration

3. 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.

4. Trace 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.

5. Trace Substances Detected P+ READY 10 100 1k 10k COC l _ _ HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _

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

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

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

9. Trace 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?

10. Sampling • · 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.

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

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

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

14. Sampling Particle Sampling Fundamentals People: • Hands • Belts • Pockets

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

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

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

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

19. Sampling 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?

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

21. P+ READY 10 100 1k 10k COC l _ _ HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _ Equipment Overview

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

23. Equipment Overview STATUS BAT DETACHED HTR l 200 FLO OK PMP OK DATE 07-13-2001 TIME 01 : 31 PM

24. 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

25. 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?

26. Analysis Procedures • 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.

27. ALARM S-CLR E-SV 10 100 1k 10k COC l 4.13 HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _ Analysis Alarm Response • 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.

28. Analysis Saving Alarms • 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.

29. Analysis Clearing the Unit • 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.

30. Analysis 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?

31. Calibration Why Calibrate? • Calibration introduces a known substance into the detector for identification. • After the VaporTracer2 identifies the calibrant, the software will adjust the positions of all substances. • The VaporTracer2 must be calibrated for accurate detection.

32. Calibration When Do You Calibrate? • 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)

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

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

35. INSERT CAL TRAP TIME STD LAST 8.469 8.534 -MENU- TO EXIT -START- TO CAL Calibration Procedure Insert the calibration trap into the desorber and then press .

36. STD 8.46 LAST 8.53 HEIGHT TIME -ENTER- TO ACCEPT GET EXPANDED LIST 5892 8.454 Calibration Procedure Press to accept the highlighted peak.

37. 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 6328 8.459 234 3.289 567 9.583 Calibration Procedure

38. CALIBRATION DONE P+ READY 10 100 1k 10k COC l _ _ HER l _ _ THC l _ _ MET l _ _ EDM l _ _ MDM l _ _ -ENTER- TO CLEAR Calibration Procedure

39. Calibration 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?