Commissioner's Directive

Technical Requirements For Ion Mobility Spectrometry Devices

OBJECTIVE

  1. To establish procedures to explain the method of operating the Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) device.

AUTHORITY

  1. Commissioner’s Directive 566-8 – Searching of Staff and Visitors

APPLICATION

  1. These guidelines apply to all staff in institutions who are required to operate the IMS device.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. The Institutional Head will designate a person to administer the IMS device.
  2. The designated person will :
    1. administer the IMS device during normal working hours;
    2. ensure procedures relating to the IMS device are contained in a Post Order; and
    3. ensure tests performed are safely recorded on the log sheet.
  3. The Correctional Manager will administer the IMS device outside normal working hours.

PROCEDURES

Operating Procedures

  1. Warm-up procedures will be conducted at the beginning of the day shift as per Annex BIONSCAN Operating Procedures.
  2. Equipment verification and testing procedures will be followed as per the operating procedures.
  3. After a positive indication, the machine will be reset as per the operating procedures.
  4. Procedures to prevent cross-contamination will be followed as per the operating procedures. The working area (countertop) that is used for testing purposes will be cleaned with either a mild soapy solution or a methanol or isopropyl alcohol to prevent cross-contamination for both analyzers.
  5. The seizure of all contraband drugs or narcotics will be performed as per CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items.
  6. In these cases, the preservation and continuity of evidence will be assured. During normal working hours, the Security Intelligence Officer (SIO) will be advised. After normal working hours, the Correctional Manager will be advised.
  7. In all instances, contraband will be placed in an evidence bag and documented as per Contraband/Unauthorized Item Seizure Tag (CSC/SCC 0482).
  8. Seized contraband will be given to the SIO or stored in a secure place until the SIO is available, so as not to lose continuity of the evidence.
  9. The swiping of visitor possessions and effects will normally be conducted at the principal entrance using the IMS device.
  10. An alternative method or procedure is the use of the hand-held collector vacuum and/or a manual hand-held collection device. More than one item of personal possession may be scanned (swiped or vacuumed). This would further permit the collection of drug particles that may be present on alternate pieces of clothing or articles the person is carrying. The vacuum method is to collect drug particles from a visitor’s or inmate’s possessions, including from a visitor's outer garment (coats, etc.). The visitor should be requested to remove these outer garments so the vacuum may be used to scan them. Extreme care will be taken to ensure that a visitor’s personal privacy is not infringed upon.
  11. The practice of collecting and analyzing will be followed, as per the operating procedures.
  12. Swiping or vacuuming of inmate effects in the Admission and Discharge area, inmate occupied areas, cells, etc. will be conducted in the same manner as with the visitor effects.
  13. One collector swab (swipe) or sample tray should be used. Each time an article is swiped and a positive indication is recorded, the swab (swipe) or sample tray will be replaced and the contaminated swab (swipe) or sample tray will be discarded. The same practice will be followed when using the vacuum in that a new disc or sample tray will be inserted each time a positive indication is recorded.
  14. Each time a positive indication has been recorded, the staff member using the device will replace their gloves.

Reporting and Recording of Data

  1. All tests will be reported or logged in the IONSCAN Verification Record (Annex C). The name of the visitor and the positive result, at or above the threshold or alarm level, as per Annex D, will also be recorded on the log sheets. These sheets will be forwarded each week (Monday morning) to the Correctional Manager, Operations, or delegate, by the officer on duty at the time. This is for administrative purposes or review by the Visitor Review Board.
  2. All pre-testing will be recorded in the IONSCAN Verification Record (Annex C). These tables will be forwarded to the person designated as responsible for the use of the IMS device.

ENQUIRIES

  1. Strategic Policy Division
    National Headquarters
    Email : Gen-NHQPolicy-Politi@CSC-SCC.GC.CA

Assistant Commissioner,
Correctional Operations and Programs

Original signed by
Chris Price

ANNEX A : CROSS-REFERENCES

CROSS-REFERENCES

ANNEX B : IONSCAN OPERATING PROCEDURES

Procedure 1 – Getting Started

  1. Ensure that the Drierite is blue at least 2 inches from the bottom.
  2. Turn the OFF/ON/CHARGE switch to the ON position. The lights on the front of the DM will flash on momentarily, and the yellow STANDBY light will begin to flash.
  3. Press the READY/STANDBY key. The green READY light will begin to flash.
  4. Allow approximately ½ hour for the IONSCAN to warm up. The green READY light will be constantly lit. Conduct flow calibration as per section 5.3 of the Operator’s Manual.
  5. perform a verification by following IONSCAN operating procedure 2.

Procedure 2 – Verification

Verification is the procedure of ensuring that the IONSCAN is correctly detecting programmed target substance.

See section 5 in the Operator’s Manual, pages 38 to 40 for a full description.

  1. Wait until the IONSCAN is warmed up (30 minutes).
  2. Deposit a tiny amount of verification stick on a clean filter or swipe.
  3. Analyze the sample and record DELTA.
  4. If DELTA exceeds ± 35, or if cocaine does not alarm, contact :
    Smith Detection (Paul Kennedy) at (905) 238-8837, extension 107 or via fax at (905) 238-3018.Smith Detection's address is 1730 Aimco Boulevard, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 1V1.

Procedure 3 – Running a Vacuum Sample

  1. Always use clean sample cards, filters and brushes. Check new brushes to ensure that they are clean.
  2. Insert a sample cartridge into the sampler and collect the sample.
  3. Remove card, keeping the sample side up, and place it on the IONSCAN sample tray.
  4. Slide the sample tray to the RIGHT to start analysis.
  5. After 5 seconds, the green or red indicator will light (PASS or FAIL), and the results will be displayed on the LCD.
  6. If an alarm was activated, go to IONSCAN operating procedure 6.

Procedure 4 – Getting Ready – Sample Swipes

  1. Verify that the operators’ hands are not contaminated by having them rub a swipe between their hands.
  2. Insert the swipe in the swipe tray with the swipe hole centered over the hole in the tray.
  3. Close the tray.
  4. Slide the tray to the RIGHT to start analysis.
  5. After 5 seconds, the green or red indicator will light (PASS or FAIL), and the results will be displayed on the LCD.
  6. Slide the tray to the LEFT to remove it from the heat.
  7. If an alarm was activated, wash hands with alcohol, and repeat this procedure until no alarm occurs.

Procedure 5 – Running a Sample Swipe

  1. Rub the swipe on suspect documents, suitcases, or other items concentrating force on the middle finger.
  2. Insert the swipe in the swipe tray with the swipe hole centered over the hole in the tray.
  3. Close the tray.
  4. Slide the tray to the RIGHT to start analysis.
  5. After 5 seconds, the green or red indicator will light (PASS or FAIL), and the results willbe displayed on the LCD.
  6. Slide the tray to the LEFT to remove it from the heat.
  7. If an alarm was activated, go to IONSCAN operating procedure 6.

Procedure 6 – After an Alarm

  1. Press ALARM RESET to deactivate the audio alarm.
  2. Analyze a clean filter or swipe to ensure that the system is clean. If an alarm results, give the system some time to clean out and repeat until no alarm occurs.
  3. Replace the brush on the sampler, and test the new brush to ensure that it is clean. It may also be necessary to replace the nozzle.

ANNEX C : IONSCAN VERIFICATION RECORD

Date/time : ______

Operator : ______

Run a blank sample to ensure the unit is clean.

  MAX. DELTA
Calibration before the check:    

  Max. (Amp) Delta* Number
Channel 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
V1                              
V2                              
V3                              
 
Cocaine                              
Heroine                              

  max. delta
Calibration before the check:    

(*) If delta is higher than ± 35, The IONSCAN may need a longer period of warm-up or of calibration.

IONSCAN RESULTS

Date : ______

Operator Act. Article searched Method of sampling !! Alarm Channel Max (Amp) Delta Number Observations
  • Act. = activity
  • Article searched :
    • V = visitor's effect;
    • I = inmate's effect;
    • T = trailer search;
    • O = other search;
    • U = unknown substance
  • Method of sampling :
    • (S) = swipe;
    • (V) = vacuum;
    • (D) = direct
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   

ANNEX D: Positive Result – Thresholds for the Smith Detection (Barringer) IONSCAN

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