ASTM E2329-10

Standard Practice for Identification of Seized Drugs

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These are minimum requirements applicable to the identification of seized drugs.
It is recognized that the correct identification of a drug or chemical depends on the use of an analytical scheme based on validated methods and the competence of the analyst. It is expected that in the absence of unforeseen error, an appropriate analytical scheme effectively results in no uncertainty in reported identifications.
This practice requires the use of multiple uncorrelated techniques. It does not discourage the use of any particular method within an analytical scheme. Unique requirements in different jurisdictions may dictate the actual practices followed by a particular laboratory.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes minimum criteria for the qualitative analysis (identification) of seized drugs.
1.2 Listed are a number of analytical techniques for the identification of seized drugs. These techniques are grouped on the basis of their discriminating power. Analytical schemes based on these groupings are described.
1.3 Additional information is found in Guides E1968, E1969, and E2125 and Practices E2326 and E2327.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2010
• ICS: 11.120.10 - Medicaments
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2329-09 - Standard Practice for Identification of Seized Drugs
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010
• Replaced By: ASTM E2329-14 - Standard Practice for Identification of Seized Drugs
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM E2548-16 - Standard Guide for Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E1969-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Methamphetamine and Amphetamine
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E2882-19 - Standard Guide for Analysis of Clandestine Drug Laboratory Evidence
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E1968-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E2327-15e1 - Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories Performing Seized-Drug Analysis
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E2125-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Phencyclidine and Its Analogues
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E2329 −10
StandardPractice for
1
Identification of Seized Drugs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2329; 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.
1. Scope analytical scheme effectively results in no uncertainty in
reported identifications.
1.1 This practice describes minimum criteria for the quali-
tative analysis (identification) of seized drugs. 3.3 This practice requires the use of multiple uncorrelated
techniques. It does not discourage the use of any particular
1.2 Listed are a number of analytical techniques for the
method within an analytical scheme. Unique requirements in
identification of seized drugs.These techniques are grouped on
different jurisdictions may dictate the actual practices followed
the basis of their discriminating power. Analytical schemes
by a particular laboratory.
based on these groupings are described.
1.3 Additional information is found in Guides E1968, 4. Categories of Analytical Techniques
E1969, and E2125 and Practices E2326 and E2327.
4.1 For the purpose of this practice, techniques for the
analysis of drug samples are classified into three categories
2. Referenced Documents
(see Table 1) based on their maximum potential discriminating
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
power. However, the classification of a technique may be
E1968 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis
lower, if the sample, analyte, or mode of operation diminishes
of Cocaine
its discriminating power.
E1969 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis
4.1.1 Examples of diminished discriminating power may
of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine
include:
E2125 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis
4.1.1.1 An infrared spectroscopy technique applied to a
of Phencyclidine and Its Analogues
mixture which produces a combined spectrum, and
E2326 Practice for Education and Training of Seized-Drug
4.1.1.2 Amassspectrometrytechniquewhichonlyproduces
Analysts
molecular weight information.
E2327 Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories Per-
5. Identification Criteria
forming Seized-Drug Analysis
2.2 Other Document:
5.1 This practice requires that the following minimum
Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized
criteria be followed when making analytical identifications:
Drugs—Recommendations for: Education and Training,
5.1.1 When a validated Category A technique is incorpo-
Quality Assurance, Methods of Analysis
rated into an analytical scheme, then at least one other
technique (from either Category A, B, or C) shall be used.
3. Significance and Use
5.1.2 When a Category Atechnique is not used, then at least
3.1 These are minimum requirements applicable to the
three different validated techniques shall be employed. Two of
identification of seized drugs.
the three techniques shall be based on uncorrelated techniques
from Category B.
3.2 It is recognized that the correct identification of a drug
5.1.2.1 For cannabis, macroscopic and microscopic exami-
or chemical depends on the use of an analytical scheme based
nations will be considered as uncorrelated techniques from
on validated methods and the competence of the analyst. It is
Category B when observations include documented details of
expected that in the absence of unforeseen error, an appropriate
botanical features.
5.1.2.2 For exhibits of cannabis that lack sufficient observ-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
able macroscopic and microscopic botanical detail (for
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
9
example, extracts or residues),∆ -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2010. Published December 2010. Originally
or other cannabinoids shall be identified utilizing the principles
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2329 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/E2329-10
set forth in 5.1.1 and 5.1.2.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1.3 An identification of botanical material may be made
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
utilizing morphological characteristics (Category B) alone pro-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. vided sufficient botanical features appropriate for identification
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2329−10
TABLE 1 Categories of Analytical Techniques
5.1.5.3 Recording of detailed descriptions
...

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:E2329–09 Designation: E2329 – 10
Standard Practice for
1
Identification of Seized Drugs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2329; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes minimum criteria for the qualitative analysis (identification) of seized drugs.
1.2 Listed are a number of analytical techniques for the identification of seized drugs.These techniques are grouped on the basis
of their discriminating power. Analytical schemes based on these groupings are described.
1.3 Additional information is found in Guides E1968and , E1969, and E2125 and Practices E2326 and E2327.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1968 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in the Forensic Analysis of Cocaine
E1969 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in the Forensic Analysis of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine
E2125 Guide for Microcrystal Testing in the Forensic Analysis of Phencyclidine and Its Analogues
E2326 Practice for Education and Training of Seized-Drug Analysts
E2327 Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories Performing Seized-Drug Analysis
2.2 Other Document:
Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs—Recommendations for: Education and Training, Quality
Assurance, Methods of Analysis
3. Significance and Use
3.1These are minimum standards applicable to the identification of seized drugs.
3.2It is recognized that the correct identification of a drug or chemical depends on the use of an analytical scheme based on
validated methods and the competence of the analyst.
3.1 These are minimum requirements applicable to the identification of seized drugs.
3.2 It is recognized that the correct identification of a drug or chemical depends on the use of an analytical scheme based on
validated methods and the competence of the analyst. It is expected that in the absence of unforeseen error, an appropriate
analytical scheme effectively results in no uncertainty in reported identifications.
3.3 This practice requires the use of multiple uncorrelated techniques. It does not discourage the use of any particular method
withinananalyticalscheme.Uniquerequirementsindifferentjurisdictionsmaydictatetheactualpracticesfollowedbyaparticular
laboratory.
3.4These are minimum standards for identification of commonly seized drugs. However, it should be noted that they may not
besufficientforidentificationofalldrugsinallcircumstances.Withinthispractice,itisuptotheindividuallaboratorytodetermine
which combination of analytical techniques best satisfies the requirements of its jurisdictions.
4. Categories of Analytical Techniques
4.1For the purpose of this practice, techniques for the analysis of drug samples may be divided into three categories based on
their discriminating power.
4.1 For the purpose of this practice, techniques for the analysis of drug samples are classified into three categories (see Table
1provides examples of techniques in order of decreasing discriminating power, from A to C. ) based on their maximum potential
discriminating power. However, the classification of a technique may be lower, if the sample, analyte, or mode of operation
diminishes its discriminating power.
4.1.1 Examples of diminished discriminating power may include:
1
This practice 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 June 1, 2009. Published July 2009. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E2329–04. DOI: 10.1520/E2329-09.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2010. Published December 2010. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2329 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/E2329-10
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnualBookofASTMStandards
volume information, refer to the standard’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

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E2329 – 10
TABLE 1 Categories of Analytical Techniques
Category A Category B Category C
Infrared Spectroscopy Capillary Electrophoresis Color Tests
Mass Spectro
...