UTILIZATION OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE IN DRUG: A CASE STUDY OF CASES UNDER THE PROVISION OF THAI LAWS CURRENTLY APPLICABLE IN THE PROVINCIAL POLICE REGION 3

Abstract

This research aimed to study the factors affecting the use of forensic evidence in drug cases and the problems of drug prosecution in the Provincial Police Region 3 area. It was a mixed method consisting of quantitative and qualitative research. The research sample was police officers under the local police stations in the Provincial Police Area Region 3. The sample size was determined at a 95% confidence interval with a margin of error of 5%, and 385 samples were obtained for more comprehensive study results. In this study, 400 sample size was used. Data were analyzed statistically by percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Moreover, an in-depth interview with 14 key informants was derived by purposive selection. The results showed that: 1) Most police officers in this research were male, totaling 269 persons. 252 samples were aged 31-40, 241 had bachelor’s degrees, and 187 had 5-10 years of expertise. 2) The factors that affected this research were divided into 3 aspects: 1. The external and internal factors related to the use of forensic evidence overall was at a high level. 2. The opportunity factor of the use of forensic evidence overall was at a high level. 3. The knowledge of forensic evidence collection overall was at a high level for forensic evidence collection. 3) The problems of drug prosecution in the Provincial Police Region 3 included the role of forensic science in drug cases and the external and internal factors related to the use of forensic evidence in drug cases.