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2005/2006 SWGDRUG
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
sponsored by the
Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Forensic Sciences
and the
Office of National Drug
Control Policy
SWGDRUG
Scientific Working Group for the
Analysis of Seized Drugs
Mission of SWGDRUG
The mission of SWGDRUG is to
recommend minimum standards for
the forensic examination of seized
drugs and to seek their international
acceptance.
SWGDRUG Objectives
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Specifying requirements for practitioners’
knowledge, skills and abilities,
Promoting professional development,
Providing a means of information exchange
within the forensic science community,
Promoting ethical standards of practitioners,
Providing minimum standards for examinations
and reporting,
Establishing quality assurance requirements,
Considering relevant international standards, and
Seeking international acceptance of SWGDRUG
recommendations
2005 SWGDRUG Process
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The SWGDRUG process is an international
forensic science community endeavor
The role of the core committee is to vote to
accept or reject subcommittee
recommendations
In order for a proposal to become an official
recommendation, 3/4s of the full core
committee must be present. 2/3s of those
present must vote in the affirmative (YES) for a
proposal to become a recommendation
2005/2006 SWGDRUG
Conference Accomplishments
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Sampling Seized Drugs
Botanical Material Addition
Supplementary Documents
Validation of Analytical Methods
Glossary
Bylaws
New Website
Logo
Sampling for Qualitative
Analysis
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Adopted by the Core Committee in January
2005
Goal of the sampling recommendation is to
answer relevant questions about a population
by only examining a portion
This minimizes the total number of required
analytical determinations, while assuring that
all relevant legal and scientific requirements
are met
Sampling for Qualitative
Analysis
Sampling Strategy
Sampling
Scheme
Population Determination
Sampling Plan
Statistical
Non-Statistical
Sampling Procedure
Statistical Based Sampling
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A Statistically based sampling plan is required
if an inference is to be drawn on the entire
population
Statistically selected units shall be analyzed to
meet SWGDRUG minimum requirements
Statistical approaches include:
Hypergeometric, Bayesian, ASTM E-105-58
Non-Statistical Sampling
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A non-statistical approach may suffice to answer
questions related to the presence of a drug, or to
address statutory enforcement levels
A non-statistical approach is appropriate if no
inferences are to be made about the entire
population
Examples of non-statistical approaches include:
the UNODC “square root” method and examples
from ENFSI 2004 sampling guidelines
Population Determination
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Population Determination shall take into
account all typical forms and quantities in
which the exhibit may appear
A population may consist of a single unit or
multiple units
A multiple unit population shall consist of
items which are similar in relevant visual
characteristics
Botanical Materials Addition
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Adopted by the Core Committee in August 2005
Allows a properly trained/competent/expert
witness in botanical determinations to identify
plant material based on documented
morphological characteristics
Botanical competence in this context applies to
those examiners recognized as professional
botanists or those assessed to be competent by
such
Internationally, this practice is recognized as
conforming to existing standards
Botanical Materials Addition
3.6 An identification of botanical materials may be
made utilizing morphological characteristics alone
provided sufficient botanical features appropriate
for identification are observed. Such examinations
shall be made by analysts competent in botanical
identifications. Botanical competence in this
context applies to those examiners recognized as
professional botanists or those assessed to be
competent by such. Identifications of chemical
components contained in botanicals (mescaline,
THC, opiates, psilocin, etc.) shall rely on principles
of chemical identification set down in Table 1.
Supplementary Documents
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Adopted by the Core Committee in August 2005
 The supplementary documents are not SWGDRUG
recommendations
 Supplementary documents are intended to be a
resource for those responsible for implementing
SWGDRUG recommendations
 These documents are not inclusive and
SWGDRUG recognizes that there are many ways of
implementing the recommendations
 These are living documents and as such,
SWGDRUG invites comments. Send your
comments to [email protected]
Properties for Validation
Process
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Supplemental Document SD-2 for Part IVB entitled
“Quality Assurance/Validation of Analytical Methods”
was finalized for publication in February 2006
Designed to assist laboratories develop a general
validation plan which meet their individual requirements
Intended to be used in conjunction with SWGDRUG
Recommendations, Part IVB, Section 2
The document is organized into two sections:
 Section I provides guidance on the issues to consider
when using various analytical techniques
 Section II is an example of a completed validation plan
Properties for Validation
Process
Section 1 of the document is organized
into Categories of Analytical Techniques
(IR, MS, HPLC, etc.) from Table 1 –
Categories A, B and C
 For each instrument or method, specific
properties are detailed that could have an
effect on how the validation process is
formulated and executed
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Properties for Validation
Process
Sections titled technique strengths and
technique limitations have been added for
additional guidance
 The techniques selected for an analytical
scheme must meet the SWGDRUG minimum
recommendations for the forensic
identification of seized drugs and must not
be correlated
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Properties for Validation
Process
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Section II demonstrates a purpose-defined
validation plan for a particular method.
The aim is to show how a complete
validation plan may appear
The example should not be directly applied
to methodology used by any laboratory
without first considering the specific
purpose of a method and its relevant
operational environment
Glossary
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The accepted revised Glossary of terms was
adopted by the Core Committee in August 2005
The Glossary was revised to substitute ISO
terms and definitions where feasible to
promote international acceptance
First sought glossaries published by recognized
standardizing organizations like ISO, ASTM,
IUPAC, UNDCP, and those, where possible,
that are primary sources.
Bylaws
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Bylaws were adopted by the Core Committee in
August 2005
The Bylaws were drafted to solidify the
SWGDRUG process
New Website
New Website
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New website design as of June 2005
Easier to Navigate
Promotes better information exchange
Future features:
 Search Engine
 Questionnaire Form
 Membership Login
Logo
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A logo design
concept was
established
Globe to represent
international
emphasis
Brown color from
original published
booklet
SWGDRUG
Information Sources
www.swgdrug.org
Microgram
Regional, National and
International Associations
AAFS, EAFS, ENFSI, IAFS
INTERPOL
SWGDRUG Core Committee
• DEA – Nelson Santos
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Secretariat – Scott Oulton (non-voting)
FBI - Eileen Waninger
ASCLD – Garth Glassburg
NIST - Susan Ballou
ASTM and NEAFS- Jack Mario
Educator – Dr. Chris Tindall
SWGDRUG Core Committee
• CAC & NWAFS - Jerry Massetti
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MAFS - Richard Paulas
MAAFS - Linda Jackson
SAFS - Dr. Conrad Roberson
SWAFS - Gary Chasteen
South Africa - Tshepo Shole
SWGDRUG Core Committee
• Canada - Richard Laing
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Japan - Dr. Kishi Tohru
United Kingdom - Dr. Sylvia Burns
Australia - Catherine Quinn
Germany - Dr. Udo Zerell
ENFSI - Dr. Erkki Sippola
UNODC - Dr. Iphigenia Naidis
Continue to Make the
SWGDRUG Process a Success
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All forensic drug analysts must stay involved in
the process by contributing comments,
criticisms and suggestions.
Stay informed by reading official sources of
information.
If you agree with the process, let us know.
If you don’t agree with what you are reading in
the publication sources, let us know.
Write or E-mail any core committee member.