Forensic Drug Analysis Standard Operating Procedure

1 Wilmington Police Department Crime Laboratory Quality Management System Technical Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis Standard Operating Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis - SOP Technical Procedure TP102 Issued by: Quality Manager Revision: #4 Effective date: November 6, 2015 Page 1 of 94 Wilmington Police Department Crime Laboratory Forensic Drug Analysis Standard Operating Procedure Wilmington Police Department Crime Laboratory Quality Management System Technical Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis Standard Operating Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis - SOP Technical Procedure TP102 Issued by: Quality Manager Revision: #4 Effective date: November 6, 2015 Page 2 of 94 Table of Contents Introduction.

2 4 Goals .. 4 Objectives .. 4 Authorization .. 4 Operations .. 5 Duties, Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Qualifications .. 5 Security .. 5 Safety .. 5 Evidence Control .. 5 Case 5 Training .. 7 Introduction .. 7 Orientation .. 8 Drug Overview .. 9 Sample Management .. 16 Marijuana Identification Training .. 18 Pharmaceutical Preparations Training .. 21 Color Test Training .. 23 Extractions Training .. 26 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) Training .. 29 Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Training.

3 33 Reporting .. 41 Courtroom Testimony ( Analysis ) .. 42 Re-training .. 43 Instrumentation, Equipment and Supplies .. 45 Instrumentation and Equipment .. 45 Supplies .. 45 Performance Checks and Calibrations .. 45 Maintenance .. 45 Reagents, standards and Controls .. 46 Reagents .. 46 Reference standards and Materials .. 46 Controls .. 48 Sample Management .. 49 Sample Management Procedure .. 49 Safety .. 49 Departures from Methods and procedures .. 49 Discovery procedures .. 49 Method .. 51 General Analytical Scheme.

4 51 Procedure .. 61 Evidence Control .. 61 Evidence Examination .. 61 Wilmington Police Department Crime Laboratory Quality Management System Technical Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis Standard Operating Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis - SOP Technical Procedure TP102 Issued by: Quality Manager Revision: #4 Effective date: November 6, 2015 Page 3 of 94 Sampling .. 62 General Analytical Procedure .. 62 Parameters .. 64 Trace Ultra Gas Chromatograph Operational Parameters .. 64 DSQ II Mass Spectrometer Operational Parameters.

5 64 Spectrum 100 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer Operational Parameters .. 64 Quality Control .. 65 Introduction .. 65 Reagents .. 65 standards .. 65 Refrigerators and Freezers .. 66 Balances .. 66 Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) .. 68 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) .. 69 Proficiency 70 Non-conforming Work .. 71 Calculations .. 78 Balance Accuracy and Precision Check .. 78 Reporting .. 79 Reviewing the Results .. 79 Preparing the Report .. 79 Technical Review of the Results.

6 80 Reporting the 80 Administrative and Technical Review of the Report .. 81 Finalizing the Report .. 81 Release and Distribution of the Report .. 81 Maintenance .. 82 References .. 83 Statutes .. 83 Laboratory Manuals .. 83 Appendices .. 84 Color Test Reference Tables .. 84 Infrared Spectra Reference Table .. 87 Mass Spectra Reference Table .. 91 Revision Table .. 93 Wilmington Police Department Crime Laboratory Quality Management System Technical Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis Standard Operating Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis - SOP Technical Procedure TP102 Issued by: Quality Manager Revision: #4 Effective date: November 6, 2015 Page 4 of 94 Introduction Forensic drug Analysis (FDA) involves analyzing seized evidence suspected to be or to contain a controlled substance.

7 This Standard Operating Procedure is not all-inclusive, and references other sources where appropriate. It is always the analyst s responsibility to choose the best analytical scheme for each individual case. It is expected that supervisors and/or colleagues are consulted for extraordinary procedures . Goals To provide timely and high quality Analysis of controlled substances To provide scientifically sound expert testimony on the accuracy and reliability of Forensic drug chemistry testing To function as a resource on Forensic drug chemistry to the department and the community Objectives To complete Forensic drug Analysis within 30 days from the receipt of the request for Analysis To provide rush Analysis on a case-by-case basis upon valid request Authorization The methods and procedures in

8 This manual follow guidelines recommended by the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) to perform Forensic drug Analysis . These are accepted methods of testing in the Forensic scientific community. Each individual analyst performing the tests is qualified to perform the duties for Forensic drug Analysis and is required to maintain proficiency in their testing area(s). Wilmington Police Department Crime Laboratory Quality Management System Technical Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis Standard Operating Procedure Forensic Drug Analysis - SOP Technical Procedure TP102 Issued by: Quality Manager Revision: #4 Effective date.

9 November 6, 2015 Page 5 of 94 Operations Duties, Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Qualifications Laboratory personnel performing these procedures are qualified and authorized according to the Quality Management System and are responsible to adhere to all policies and procedures therein. Security Laboratory personnel adhere to security measures detailed in the Quality Manual, Section Safety Laboratory personnel maintain the highest level of safety while working in the laboratory. Refer to MSDS catalogs and the Chemical Hygiene Plan prior to use of any chemicals and/or other laboratory equipment.

10 A list of emergency contact phone numbers is posted in the laboratory. Evidence Control Refer to Quality Manual, Section and the Evidence Control SOP, for evidence control procedures . Case Approach The Crime Laboratory allows for the restriction of Analysis to key items within a case to maximize the resources of the laboratory. The most significant items in terms of quantity and schedule are prioritized. Consideration is given to the information contained on the Request for Laboratory Examination, to include but not limited to specific charges or types of offense, items unique to a single suspect, the statement of fact and examinations requested and the descriptions of evidence submitted as well as the analyst s visual inspection of the items.