Forensic Nurse Steve Lee on Immigration Protests

 Forensic Nurse Steve Lee on Immigration Protests.

Steve Lee, 
February 12 2026,
1:05 PM 
Portland Oregon Library. 

Forensic nurse Steve Lee has spent years working in situations where medical care and criminal investigations intersect. Nurses in this specialty are trained to document injuries, collect forensic evidence, and help ensure that medical findings can be used in potential legal cases. Recently, Lee has been present at immigration protests in Portland, where demonstrations have drawn large crowds, federal law enforcement officers, and the repeated use of chemical crowd-control agents such as tear gas.

Lee says his focus during these situations is on documenting injuries and preserving evidence that could later become important in legal proceedings. He also raises questions about the health effects of chemical agents used in crowd control and the difficulties people can face when trying to report injuries that occur during protests.

In the interview below, Lee discusses his observations at protests, concerns about tear gas exposure, and the challenges he says he encountered when trying to report an incident in which he says he was shot by ICE officers.

Q: Some people online are saying officers involved in protest incidents could face serious legal consequences. What do you think about that?

Steve Lee:

“Everyone's saying, 'Oh, they're going to go to jail, Nuremberg trials, this and that. And well, we're collecting evidence early right now. We're doing our part.”

Lee said that from his perspective, documenting injuries and events as they happen is important because evidence collected early may later be used in investigations or court proceedings.

Q: Do we know anything about the long-term effects of HC gas?

Steve Lee:

“I don't believe they've done any research on the long-term effects; I focus on the immediate effects."

Attempts to research long-term effects of HC gas appear limited. Much of the information available publicly comes from activist organizations and protest safety groups that share advice about reducing possible exposure effects.

Other military sources who wished to remain anonymous have told me HC gas is close to a smoke ball. It is not supposed to be a chemical irritant, and said the accounts sound closer to something called “CS” gas (compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile). 

“Exposure to CS gas may cause intense tear production, eye pain, chest tightness, coughing, and sneezing. If ingested, a stinging or burning sensation in the mouth with increased salivation and vomiting may occur. Contact with the skin will lead to burning and stinging with possible redness and blistering.” - gov.UK cited below.

Q: what have you observed about the tear gas used during these protests?

Steve Lee:

“And I really believe that they're using a different type of tear gas, in addition to what they normally use. This was different. There were areas in the street where you didn't see anything but clear air, and you started coughing and choking.”

Lee described noticing areas where there appeared to be no visible gas in the air, yet people were still experiencing coughing and choking symptoms.

Q: From a forensic perspective, what legal questions does this situation raise for you?

Steve Lee:

“One thing I want to ask detectives or lawyers is in a case of sexual assault, especially pertaining to minors, that person's body is a crime scene, and we need access to that crime scene to process evidence. Are you allowed to tell us no, and if so, can you be charged?"

Lee said the comparison reflects his broader concern about whether medical professionals can be denied access to individuals who may have evidence of injury or wrongdoing that could later be relevant to an investigation.

Q: You mentioned being shot by ICE during a protest. What happened when you tried to report it?

Steve Lee:

“And this is the thing about them: they're randomly telling people, 'No, we won't'; another one will say, 'Yes, we will.' (referencing receiving a forensic exam) One guy I called even told me I had to go to the FBI."

Lee said he attempted to contact several organizations and agencies after the incident while trying to determine how to document what had happened.

Q: What response did you receive when you contacted people you had worked with before?

Steve Lee:

“So I had called the safe center, where I worked for three months. The nurse I had talked to said, "Well, I'm sorry this happened, but we all know you and we work with you, and it could be a conflict of interest."

According to Lee, the response left him unsure where to go next for a formal examination.

Q: Did you attempt to report the incident to local law enforcement?

Steve Lee:

“This also involved calling Portland police. I think I called this once and they were like, "You have to report this to the FBI," and the number was just a tip line.”

Lee said the process of trying to report the incident involved being redirected between agencies, making it difficult to determine where the report should be formally filed.

Citations 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications

/cs-gas-incident-management/cs-gas-general-information