Which description best describes how to log a drug paraphernalia and a marijuana plant in E3?

• A. Paraphernalia is entered under Controlled Substances, unit set to pounds.
• B. Paraphernalia is entered under Documentation; plant under Trace.
• C. Paraphernalia is entered under Controlled Substances, unit set to pounds; plant under Trace with quantity left blank.
• D. Paraphernalia is entered under Narcotics; plant under Trace.

Answer: (C)

When logging in E3, you classify each item by how it’s handled in evidence processes and what category best fits its nature. Drug paraphernalia is tied to controlled substances, so it belongs in the Controlled Substances area rather than Narcotics or Documentation. Because you’re recording a physical quantity for weight-based evidence, you use a unit—pounds—to reflect the amount of paraphernalia.

A marijuana plant, being plant material, is tracked differently. It goes under Trace to preserve its evidentiary status and chain of custody, rather than under Controlled Substances. The quantity is left blank because plant size and weight can vary and may be measured or documented later, avoiding an inaccurate fixed weight at the initial entry.

So, logging paraphernalia under Controlled Substances with the unit set to pounds, and logging the plant under Trace with the quantity left blank, aligns with how E3 handles different types of evidence and maintains proper documentation.