Opinion ID: 754615
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Admission of Sherwood Drug Spray Test

Text: 51 The appellants argue that the district court erred by admitting evidence of the Sherwood spray test because the court did so without a hearing, which they contend is required by Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993). They also contend the test results focused on evidence of other bad acts. 52 The Sherwood Spray Test is used to detect cocaine. Coast Guard Officers Schoenfeld and Vizcaino each described the test and its use aboard the Nataly I. When asked if any drugs were found on the first day of the search, Schoenfeld and Vizcaino testified that the Sherwood test results were positive for cocaine but that no cocaine was found. On cross-examination, the Crew Members established that the officers were not familiar with the test's reliability and were not trained in its use. The cross-examination also brought out that the test merely found trace amounts of cocaine and that no cocaine was actually found in the area which tested positive. 53 The test was offered to help explain the actions that the Coast Guard took when it boarded the Nataly I. No Daubert hearing was required because the test was not offered as scientific evidence to prove the presence of cocaine. That was not necessary. Twelve tons of cocaine were found on the vessel. 54 Nor was the evidence excludable as evidence of other bad acts. The appellants argue the test results constituted prejudicial evidence of personal use of cocaine, because the results showed the presence of cocaine in the berthing area. This argument lacks merit. No cocaine was found in the berthing area. Moreover, no trace of cocaine was found on any of the appellants' clothing. There simply was no other bad acts evidence. 55 The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the evidence of the Sherwood spray test and its results.