ASTM E2548-07
(Guide)Standard Guide for Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
Standard Guide for Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers minimum considerations for sampling of seized drugs for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:E2548–07
Standard Guide for
Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and Quantitative
Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2548; 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
What portion of the units of a population can be said to contain a
1.1 Thisguidecoversminimumconsiderationsforsampling
given drug at a given level of confidence?
of seized drugs for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
3.3 By developing a sampling strategy and implementing
2. Referenced Documents appropriate sampling schemes, as illustrated in Fig. 1,a
laboratory will minimize the total number of required analyti-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cal determinations, while ensuring that all relevant legal and
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
scientific requirements are met.
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,
With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic
4. Sampling Strategy
of a Lot or Process
4.1 Asampling strategy is highly dependent on the purpose
E141 Practice for Acceptance of Evidence Based on the
of the investigation, the original question, and the ultimate use
Results of Probability Sampling
of the results. Laws and legal practices form the foundation of
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
most strategies and shall be taken into account when designing
E2329 Practice for Identification of Seized Drugs
a sampling scheme. Therefore, specific sampling strategies are
E2334 Practice for Setting an Upper Confidence Bound For
not defined in this guide.
a Fraction or Number of Non-Conforming items, or a Rate
4.2 The laboratory has the responsibility to develop its own
of Occurrence for Non-conformities, UsingAttribute Data,
strategies consistent with these recommendations. It is recom-
When There is a Zero Response in the Sample
3 mended that the following key points be addressed:
2.2 ISO Standards:
4.2.1 Sampling may be statistical or non-statistical.
ISO 3534-1 Statistics – Vocabulary and symbols – Part 1:
Probability and general statistical terms
NOTE 1—For the purpose of this guide, the use of the term statistical is
ISO 3534-2 Statistics – Vocabulary and symbols – Part 2: meant to include the notion of an approach that is probability-based.
Statistical quality control
4.2.1.1 In many cases, a non-statistical approach may suf-
fice. The sampling plan shall provide an adequate basis for
3. Significance and Use
answering questions of applicable law. For example,
3.1 This guide provides information for the sampling of
Is there a drug present in the population?
seized-drug submissions.
Are statutory enhancement levels satisfied by the analysis of a
3.2 The principal purpose of sampling in the context of this
specified number of units?
guide is to answer relevant questions about a population by
examination of a portion of the population. For example: 4.2.1.2 If an inference about the whole population is to be
drawn from a sample, then the plan shall be statistically based
What is the net weight of the population?
and limits of the inference shall be documented.
4.2.2 Statistically selected units shall be analyzed to meet
PracticeE2329ifstatisticalinferencesaretobemadeaboutthe
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
whole population.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved March 1, 2007. Published April 2007. DOI: 10.1520/
5. Sampling Scheme
E2548-07.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1 The sampling scheme is an overall approach that in-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
cludespopulationdetermination,selectionofthesamplingplan
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
andprocedureand,whenappropriate,samplereductionpriorto
the ASTM website.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1 rue de
analysis (Fig. 2).
Varembé, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.ch.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2548–07
FIG. 1 Relationship of Various Levels Required in Sampling
FIG. 2 Example of a Sampling Scheme—A Decision Flowchart
5.2 Population Determination: 5.2.2 A population can consist of a single unit or multiple
5.2.1 The population determination shall take into account
units.
all typical forms and quantities in which exhibits may appear.
E2548–07
5.2.3 A multiple unit population shall consist of items that (1) The “square root method.”
are similar in relevant visual characteristics. (2) Methods listed in “Arbitrary Sampling” in Guidelines
on Representative Drug Sampling.
Sampling Plan
5.5.2.2 Selection of a single unit from a multiple unit
5.3 There are numerous sampling plans used in the forensic populationmaybeappropriateundercertaincircumstances(for
analysis of drugs that are applicable to single and multiple unit
example, management directives and legislative or judicial
populations. requirements, or both).
5.4 When a single unit or bulk population is to be analyzed,
5.6 Sampling Procedure:
the issue
...
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