NCJ Number
218658
Date Published
January 2005
Length
9 pages
Annotation
These recommendations developed by the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs address quality assurance general practices in the qualitative analysis of seized drugs.
Abstract
The recommendations are intended to ensure a quality framework for managing drug casework processing, including the handling of evidentiary material, management practices, analysis, and reporting. One set of recommendations for quality assurance in the qualitative analysis of seized drugs pertains to personnel. These recommendations focus on job descriptions, designated personnel and their responsibilities, qualifications and education, initial training requirements, and the minimum annual training required for continuing professional development. A second set of recommendations covers physical plant requirements. These recommendations focus on the provision of a healthy, safe, and secure environment for personnel and operations; adequate space for performing analytical functions and preventing contamination; the provision of chemical fume hoods; a cleaning schedule; provision for the safekeeping of evidence, standards, and records; and secure storage for chemicals and reagents. A third set of recommendations covers evidence control. This refers to receiving and identifying evidence, evidence integrity, evidence storage, evidence disposition, and documentation procedures. Other sets of recommendations pertain to instruments and equipment performance; chemicals and reagents; casework documentation, report writing, and review; proficiency and competency testing; validation and verification; laboratory audits; deficiency analysis; health and safety; and documentation.