While the one-page Certified Report provides the final conclusion, the Lab Bench Notes and instrumental data prints represent the “raw” evidence of the forensic process. Specifically, the Bench Notes reveal the specific steps, reactions, and measurements that occurred “at the bench” before the final report was signed.

I also request the MSHP Lab’s “Communication Log” which shows who reached out to the Lab and the scientist(s) regarding the sample, the testing, and the results. This captures law enforcement’s communication, the prosector’s communications, and the defense attorney’s communication. It helps increase confidence that the Lab is unbiased and not working for any side.

What’s Inside the Bench Notes?

The full Bench Notes and Commo Log (redacted) provide a chronological window into the analysis of Item 001.001.

Key sections include:

• Detailed Observations: Analysts record the physical description of the evidence upon arrival, such as a “plastic bag containing baggie with crystalline substance”.
• Precise Weighing Events: The notes show the exact balance used (e.g., Top Loading T0118236) and confirm the net weight +/-
• Color Test Reagents: The notes log the specific reagents used, such as Methedrine A and B or Clarke’s Marquis, and the resulting colors (e.g., “blue” and “orange”) that provided the initial presumptive indication.
• Standard Comparisons: Analysts must test the unknown substance against a “Standard” of known composition (e.g., Methamphetamine) to ensure a match.

Understanding the Instrumental Data (GC/MS)

The most scientific portion of the bench notes is the Total Ion Chromatogram (TIC). This graph is the literal “fingerprint” of the drug.

• A Blank Run: Before testing the evidence, the lab runs a “Blank” to ensure the instrument is clean and free of contamination from previous cases.
• The Abundance Peak: The TIC graph shows a sharp “peak” at a specific Retention Time (e.g., 4.372 minutes). This peak represents the moment the methamphetamine was detected by the mass spectrometer.
• Mass-to-Charge Ratios: The data includes a breakdown of fragmented molecules, showing specific markers like 58, 91, and 134. These numbers are unique to methamphetamine and allow the scientist to conclusively identify the compound.

The Chain of Custody Log

Finally, the bench notes include the Case Chain of Custody, a log of every person who handled the evidence. This log tracks the item from the submitting officer through various lab technicians and storage lockers until it is eventually released back to the agency. Any gap or undocumented transfer in this log can be a significant point of challenge in a criminal case.