ASTM E1968-19
(Practice)Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine
Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This technique involves a chemical-precipitation reaction between cocaine and the precipitating reagent. The habit and the aggregation of the crystals formed could be used to distinguish cocaine from other drugs (6).
5.2 This technique can be utilized on cocaine present in either the salt or free base form.
5.3 This technique does not distinguish between the salt and free base forms.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes procedures applicable to the analysis of cocaine using multiple microcrystal tests (1-6).2
1.2 These procedures are applicable to cocaine, which is present in solid form or an injectable liquid form. They are not typically applicable to the analysis of cocaine in biological samples.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 These procedures could generate observations indicating a positive test for cocaine or its enantiomers which could be incorporated into the analytical scheme as defined by the laboratory.
1.5 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience (see Practice E2326) and is to be used in conjunction with professional judgment by individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1968 − 19 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
1
Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1968; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Microcrystal tests are primarily chemical-precipitation tests in which a light microscope is used to
observe and distinguish the different types of crystals formed. These tests require skill and expertise
on the part of the analyst that can be gained adequately only through appropriate training and
experience in their use. These tests should not be attempted by those who are unfamiliar with them
for use in the analysis of cocaine.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This practice describes procedures applicable to the
2 Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
analysis of cocaine using multiple microcrystal tests (1-6).
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 These procedures are applicable to cocaine, which is
3
present in solid form or an injectable liquid form.They are not
2.1 ASTM Standards:
typically applicable to the analysis of cocaine in biological
E1459Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
samples.
Documentation
E1492Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E1732Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
standard.
E2326Practice for Education and Training of Seized-Drug
1.4 These procedures could generate observations indicat-
Analysts
ing a positive test for cocaine or its enantiomers which could
E2329Practice for Identification of Seized Drugs
be incorporated into the analytical scheme as defined by the
E2548GuideforSamplingSeizedDrugsforQualitativeand
laboratory.
Quantitative Analysis
1.5 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or
E2764PracticeforUncertaintyAssessmentintheContextof
4
abilities acquired through appropriate education, training, and
Seized-Drug Analysis (Withdrawn 2020)
experience (see Practice E2326) and is to be used in conjunc-
3. Terminology
tion with professional judgment by individuals with such
discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Terminology E1732.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.1 aggregation, n—the collecting of units or parts into a
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mass or whole.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.2 birefringence, n—property of some crystals, those
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
havingmorethanonerefractiveindex;thispropertywillresult
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
in interference colors, which are viewed through a polarized
light microscope.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
3
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2019. Published January 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E1968–11. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1968-19. the ASTM website.
2
4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
this standard. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1968 − 19
3.2.2.1 birefringent, adj—material exhibiting birefringence. 7.1.2 The best practice for documenting the crystal forma-
tionresultsistotakeadigitalphotograph.Itisadvisedthatthe
3.2.3 cocaine, n—either d- or l- cocaine; it should be noted
minimum equipment
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1968 − 11 E1968 − 19
Standard GuidePractice for
1
Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis offor Cocaine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1968; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Microcrystal tests are primarily chemical-precipitation tests in which a light microscope is used to
observe and distinguish the different types of crystals formed. These tests require skill and expertise
on the part of the analyst that can be gained adequately only through appropriate training and
experience in their use. These tests should not be attempted by those who are unfamiliar with them
for use in the analysis of cocaine.
1. Scope
1.1 This guidepractice describes some standard procedures applicable to the analysis of cocaine using multiple microcrystal
2
tests (1-56).
1.2 These procedures are applicable to cocaine, which is present in solid dosage form or an injectable liquid form. They are not
typically applicable to the analysis of cocaine in biological samples.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 These procedures could generate observations indicating a positive test for cocaine or its enantiomers which could be
incorporated into the analytical scheme as defined by the laboratory.
1.5 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skill,skills, or abilityabilities acquired through appropriate education, training,
and experience (see Practice E2326) and should is to be used in conjunction with sound professional judgment.professional
judgment by individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E2326 Practice for Education and Training of Seized-Drug Analysts
E2329 Practice for Identification of Seized Drugs
1
This guidepractice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved March 1, 2011Nov. 15, 2019. Published April 2011January 2020. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20032011 as
E1968 – 98 (2003).E1968 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/E1968-11.10.1520/E1968-19.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1968 − 19
E2548 Guide for Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
E2764 Practice for Uncertainty Assessment in the Context of Seized-Drug Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology E1732.Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology E1732.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Stan
...
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