Forensic Applications Consulting Technologies, Inc. 

FACTs performs a variety of assessments for controlled substances.  FACTs has performed assessments for controlled substances in cars, vans, Resort Day Camps, rental properties, and foreclosures.  We have performed property assessments for ecstasy  (MDMA), LSD, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. 

Our assessments run the entire spectrum of detail, ranging from a cursory evaluations, to complete assessments of properties, sewerage systems, ventilation systems, and the development of remediation plans complete with follow-up clearance sampling.

Our clients include governmental agencies, insurance providers, home buyers, and landlords.

Our services include qualitative and quantitative analysis depending on the needed data quality assessments.

In Colorado, (our primary service area for Clandestine Drugs Labs), there are three regulatory levels of property evaluation:

1. Cursory evaluation – (voluntary real estate transaction inspection)
2. Preliminary Assessment – (State mandated assessment required when information exists about “probable” contamination from a “cognizant authority.”)
3. Decision Statement  - (State mandated assessment following remediation; must be based on the Preliminary Assessment).

Cursory Evaluation
For our work in Colorado, most of our clients are Realtors and Home Buyers who want a cursory evaluation to determine if the property is a methlab or contaminated with methamphetamine.  Typically to perform this assessment, FACTs performs a visual inspection of the property and collects quantitative samples from strategic locations.

For a typical 1,500 square foot Ranch Style residence on city sewer, and city water, FACTs will collect 10 to 15 samples from throughout the residence.  Analysis is by gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy.  The fees for such an assessment are typically between $250 and $450.

In Colorado, the assessment work complies with the Colorado Real Estate Transaction statutes found in CRS §38-35.7-103(2)(a).  In addition to sampling, there are many visual clues that can indicate a property was used as a drug lab.

Most cursory evaluations remain under confidentiality, and never enter the public domain.  Some cursory evaluations, however, become part of public record.  An example of a Public Domain cursory can be found here.

Preliminary Assessment
A Preliminary Assessment is required whenever information from a cognizant authority indicates evidence of potential contamination.  Only a specially trained Industrial Hygienist is permitted to perform a Preliminary Assessment, the elements of which are mandated by State Regulations and cannot be altered or modified by the Industrial Hygienist. 

Ironically, the fees associated with performing a Preliminary Assessment are inversely related to the degree of contamination.  That is, the more heavily contaminated the property, the less expensive the assessment.  For properties that are apparently pristine, the fees of the Preliminary Assessment are slightly higher.  This is due to the hypothesis testing that must be performed, and how, at FACTs, where appropriate, we develop the Preliminary Assessment with the Decision Statement in mind -  a process that can potentially save the client thousands of dollars. 

Occasionally, conditions are such that the Preliminary Assessment directly results in a Decision Statement; where that occurs, the Preliminary Assessment is also the Decision Statement, such as in this example.

For a heavily contaminated 1,500 square foot Ranch Style residence on city water and city sewer, the fees associated with a Preliminary Assessment are typically about $1,900. 

Preliminary Assessments may be needed for a variety of structures including large vehicles, small privately owned vehicles, large Day Camps, or residential properties.

Critical Reviews
In Colorado, most of the Preliminary Assessments that have been performed are invalid for a variety of reasons, and leave the property owner with unseen liability.  FACTs performs “Critical Reviews” of assessment work, providing a comprehensive review of the validity of the Preliminary Assessment or the Decision Statement.  Often the Preliminary Assessment is performed by unauthorized individuals who fail to meet the regulatory requirements.  An example of a critical review of a PA can be found here and the review of a Decision Statement can be found here.

Decision Statements
In Colorado, a contaminated property cannot be reoccupied or entered by unauthorized personnel until a qualified Industrial Hygienist has issued a “Decision Statement.”  The Decision Statement is a written affirmation that the property meets mandatory regulatory criteria.  Most of the Decision Statements issued in Colorado are invalid, and often the occupants of an ex-methlab are unwittingly exposed to contamination levels in excess of State clearance levels, and/or occupy a property that has not been properly cleared.  FACTs provides critical reviews of Decision Statements.  Decision Statements must enter public record, and there are several examples of Decision Statements on our site archive.  An example of one such Decision Statement can be found here.

 Assessing a structure can also include assessing the septic system.

Trap door in a bedroom closet leading to an underground vault containing a clandestine drug operation. 

A full Preliminary Assessment requires the assessment of surrounding soils for potential contamination due to illegal dumping of waste materials. 

Many surfaces are porous and contamination levels are determined by microvacuuming the surface to remove material onto a cassette for analysis.