ASTM E2329-04

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Designation: E 2329 – 04
Standard Practice for
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Identification of Seized Drugs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2329; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope may not be sufficient for identification of all drugs in all
circumstances. Within this practice, it is up to the individual
1.1 This practice describes minimum criteria for the quali-
laboratory to determine which combination of analytical tech-
tative analysis (identification) of seized drugs.
niques best satisfies the requirements of its jurisdictions.
1.2 Listed are a number of analytical techniques for the
identification of seized drugs.These techniques are grouped on
4. Categories of Analytical Techniques
the basis of their discriminating power. Analytical schemes
4.1 For the purpose of this practice, techniques for the
based on these groupings are described.
analysis of drug samples may be divided into three categories
2. Referenced Documents based on their discriminating power. Table 1 provides ex-
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amples of techniques in order of decreasing discriminating
2.1 ASTM Standards:
power, from A to C.
E 1968 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in the Forensic
Analysis of Cocaine
5. Identification Criteria
E 1969 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in the Forensic
5.1 This practice requires that the following minimum
Analysis of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine
criteria be followed when making analytical identifications
E 2326 Practice for the Education and Training of Seized-
5.1.1 When a validated Category A technique is incorpo-
Drug Analysts
rated into an analytical scheme, then at least one other
E 2327 Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories Per-
technique (from either Category A, B or C) must be used.
forming Seized-Drug Analysis
5.1.1.1 This combination must identify the specific drug
2.2 Other Document:
present and must preclude a false positive identification.
Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs
5.1.1.2 When sample size allows, the second technique
Recommendations for: Education and Training, Quality
should be applied on a separate sampling for quality assurance
Assurance, Methods of Analysis
reasons. When sample size is limited, additional measures
3. Significance and Use should be taken to assure that the results correspond to the
correct sample.
3.1 These are minimum standards applicable to the identi-
5.1.1.3 All Category A techniques must have data that are
fication of seized drugs.
reviewable.
3.2 It is recognized that the correct identification of a drug
5.1.2 When a CategoryAtechnique is not used, then at least
or chemical depends on the use of an analytical scheme based
three different validated methods must be employed.
on validated methods and the competence of the analyst.
5.1.2.1 These in combination must demonstrate the identity
3.3 This practice requires the use of multiple uncorrelated
of the specific drug present and must preclude a false positive
techniques. It does not discourage the use of any particular
identification.
method within an analytical scheme. Unique requirements in
5.1.2.2 Two of the three methods must be based on uncor-
different jurisdictions may dictate the actual practices followed
related techniques from Category B.
by a particular laboratory.
5.1.2.3 A minimum of two separate samplings should be
3.4 These are minimum standards for identification of
used in these three tests. When sample size is limited, addi-
commonly seized drugs. However, it should be noted that they
tional measures should be taken to assure that the results
correspond to the correct sample.
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
5.1.2.4 All Category B techniques must have reviewable
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
data.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2004. Published September 2004.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1.3 For the use of any method to be considered of value,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
test results must be considered “positive.” While “negative”
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
test results provide useful information for ruling out the
the ASTM website.
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E2329–04
TABLE 1 Categories of Analytical Techniques
Category A Category B Category C
Infrared Spectroscopy Capillary Elect
...