How long do drug investigations take?
Asked by: Enrico Jacobson | Last update: July 25, 2025Score: 5/5 (20 votes)
On average, such cases may take anywhere from three to six months, but more complex cases can extend well beyond that timeframe. Factors like pre-trial motions, plea negotiations, and the availability of witnesses also impact the duration.
How long are drug investigations?
The length of time the federal government investigates before an arrest in drug cases depends on the type of drug case. Usually, the larger investigations involving more people are long-term and could sometimes take years.
How long does it take to get drug test results?
Drug test results are typically released within 24-72 hours of a specimen's arrival at the laboratory.
How does a drug investigation work?
Undercover agents make contacts to identify drug operations and conduct stings. Federal agents and police can use search warrants and large-scale busts to identify drug rings. They also can pull over drivers who may be carrying illegal drugs. This physical evidence is then used to arrest those involved.
How long does it take police to test drugs?
It typically depends on jurisdiction and its size. Larger jurisdictions usually have their own labs for testing substances and results are returned quicker. A smaller jurisdiction typically sends the substance off to a state lab and those results vary, typically 1 to 3 months, sometimes longer.
To Catch a Smuggler: Uncovering Hidden Narcotics | MEGA EPISODE | National Geographic
How long do crime lab results take?
Processing of collected evidence at the lab may take weeks to years depending on the lab's backlog. Next steps could be comparison to suspects and victims or search through AFIS. The comparison of search will typically take a few hours to a few days depending on the number of latent prints in the case.
How long does drug discovery take?
There is no typical length of time it takes for a drug to be tested and approved. It might take 10 to 15 years or more to complete all 3 phases of clinical trials before the licensing stage.
How does an investigation go?
Collecting Physical Evidence
They could go to the crime scene to look for physical evidence, such as a weapon, bloodstains, fibers, footprints, fingerprints, and more. They may take photographs and measurements or send certain samples, such as blood samples or fibers, to a lab for testing.
Does drug court clear your record?
To be eligible to petition for record expungement, clients must (1) successfully graduate from the drug court program, (2) pay all court fees, and (3) wait the required amount of time following program completion without any new arrests or convictions.
How do I know if I passed my drug test?
A negative result indicates the lab found no presence of the drugs or metabolites tested for, or only found trace amounts below the designated cutoff threshold. This means the specimen “passed” the drug test.
What is the most common false positive drug test?
Previously unreported drugs that are associated with false positives are: atenolol, bisoprolol, sildenafil, tapentadol, and tramadol. An OTC nasal inhaler can cause a false positive as well. Amphetamine and methamphetamine are the most commonly reported false positive drugs.
Do failed drug tests take longer?
How Long Does a Failed Drug Test Take To Come Back? Initial results from a screening test usually come back within 24-48 hours, but if it requires further confirmation or retesting, it could take up to a week for final results to come through.
How long do investigations usually take?
Most investigations take a few months - that is, generally speaking. If the evidence is particularly strong, police may be ready to make an arrest within days of the initial report coming in.
How long does a drug analysis take?
Urine drug screen results usually come back within a few days or on the same day. If a result is positive, a person may need to take a second test for confirmation. This may be a GC-MS test, which gives more accurate results. The person who carried out the test or a medical review officer will explain the results.
How long can a drug case take?
On average, such cases may take anywhere from three to six months, but more complex cases can extend well beyond that timeframe. Factors like pre-trial motions, plea negotiations, and the availability of witnesses also impact the duration.
What not to say in an investigation?
“I'm not sure, but…” Speculating or making assumptions can muddle the facts, leading to misunderstandings. Stick to what you know. “It's always been done this way”: This defense can imply resistance to change or justify inappropriate behavior based on tradition, which doesn't hold up under scrutiny.
What clues are the investigators looking for?
Crime scene investigators collect evidence such as fingerprints, footprints, tire tracks, blood and other body fluids, hairs, fibers and fire debris. NIJ funds projects to improve: Identification of blood and other body fluids at the scene. Field detection of drugs and explosives.
How long should an investigation take?
A complicated matter may take several weeks to conduct properly. A relatively simple matter may only require a small amount of investigation for it to be reasonable. Providing a provisional time-frame is helpful but an investigator should not be restricted by a set completion date.
What is the timeline for drug approval?
Priority Review: During Priority Review, the FDA takes action on a new drug application within 6 months, compared to 10 months under standard review.
Why do drug trials take so long?
Drugs go through a rigorous process to ensure they're effective and not harmful. As a result, only a small percentage of drugs that start the research process are actually approved for use. This is a major reason it costs so much and takes so long to bring a drug to market.
What are the 4 stages of drug discovery?
What Are the Four Stages of the Drug Discovery Process? The Drug Discovery Process involves many different stages and series of actions. Typically, it can be divided into four main stages: Early Drug Discovery, Pre-Clinical Phase, Clinical Phases, and Regulatory Approval.
How long do drug investigations last?
The investigative period refers to the time police have to file drug charges after gathering evidence. The duration varies by jurisdiction. It typically ranges from a few weeks to several months. It's crucial to consult with a lawyer to understand the specific laws in your area.
Can police decide not to charge?
Police officers arrest suspects, but prosecutors decide whether to file formal charges. Learn how it works. When it comes to criminal charges, police generally make the arrests, and prosecutors file the criminal charges.
How long does it take for a detective to contact you?
In some serious crimes or situations, time is of the essence. A detective may contact individuals within hours or days. In less urgent cases, or where they are waiting on DNA or subpoenaing records (i.e., banks, social media, etc.), it could take 6 months.