IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

FOR

DRUG IDENTIFICATION

MAINE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING LABORATORY

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY UNIT

Section I: Introduction

Purpose:

  1. To qualify selected chemists as certified chemists for acceptance as expert witnesses able to testify to chemical analyses of drugs in judicial proceedings.
  1. To ensure that the selected chemists meet certain minimum criteria before they may start working independently.
  1. This training course is designed to uniformly provide each trainee with the options available to handle most pieces of evidence they may encounter in their career.

Requirements:

The minimum qualifications for an analyst will be in accordance with Chapter 266 of 10-144 DHS Rules and 17-A MRSA 1112 (1) and 22 MRSA 42 (1) regulations.

Coordinator:

A Senior Chemist experienced and qualified in the field of drug identification should coordinate this program. Although the coordinator may delegate the actual training activities to other qualified Chemist, the coordinator still has the overall responsibility to ensure that the trainee achieves the desired objectives before they start working independently.

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Training Period:

This program is designed to ensure that all appropriate areas of study are included. The estimated time required to complete each unit of instruction might vary depending on the abilities and previous experience of the individual trainee. For a trainee with little or no experience in drug identification, this time might be approximately six months.

The training has been divided into 2 parts. Part I deals with a general orientation, familiarity with The Controlled Substances Act, security of evidence, chain of custody, evidence receiving/returning procedures, weekly quality control routine to maintain the quality assurance program, the identification of marijuana, and court testimony. This phase will end with the trainee being able to work independently on marijuana cases.

Part II deals with general unknowns. This will involve analyzing cases under the direct supervision of the trainer and working on unknown samples given by the trainer. This phase will end in the trainee being proficient in dealing independently with any type of case.

Responsibilities:

During the training period of a chemist, the following must be ensured:

  1. The trainee should maintain the physical custody of the evidence.
  1. Initially, the trainer should observe each test being conducted by the

trainee and initial the results. As the trainee gains experience, the trainer does not need to observe the presumptive tests, but must continue to observe the confirmatory tests (refer to criteria for confirmation in the Drug Procedure Manual), and initial their results until the trainee is qualified within the system to work independently.

  1. The trainee may sign reports done by them during the training period but must be peer reviewed by the trainer.
  1. If a case comes to trial during the training period, the trainer should be prepared to testify to the work of the trainee. The trainer should also notify the Prosecuting Attorney of the situation.

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Section II: Orientation and Standard Operating Procedures

Training:

  1. Handling, Receipt, Custody and Security of Evidence

The trainee should become thoroughly familiar with the procedures followed in the Drug Section. These have been detailed in the Procedure Manual of the Drug Section. At the end of 3-4 week, the trainee should be able to receive/return evidence independently.

2. Laboratory Safety

The trainee should be familiarized with general laboratory safety procedures. They will have read and sign the Laboratory Safety Manual, Chemical Hygiene Plan, and the Procedure Manual of the Drug Section.

3. Sources of Reference:

In the Drug Section, the trainee should be informed about the following reference sources:

a)Basic Training program for Forensic Drug Chemists – Drug

Enforcement Administration

b)Clarke’s Isolation and Identification of Drugs

c)The Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)

d)Drug Identification Bible

e)The Merck Index

f)Analytical Data for Drug Analysis – Vol. I and II

g)Microgram

h)The Journal of Forensic Sciences

i)Resources available on the Internet

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4. General Professional Organizations:

The trainee should be made aware of:

Northeast Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS)

American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)

American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) Certification

American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)

5. Weekly Quality Assurance (QA) Protocol:

From the beginning, the trainee should participate in weekly QA activities. At the conclusion of approximately 6 weeks, the trainee will be proficient in following the protocol independently.

During this phase, the trainee should be made aware of the importance of “s” class certified weights and independent checks on the balances.

  1. Quality Assurance and Procedure Manual:

The trainee will read and sign the Quality Assurance and Procedures Manuals.

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Section III: Controlled Substances Act - 1970

Required Knowledge and Skills:

1. Rationale of Scheduling:

Understand the potential for abuse, likelihood of dependency, and

currently accepted medical use.

  1. Temporary Scheduling
  1. Maine State Drug Laws
  1. Ability to differentiate between scheduled and non-scheduled substances

References:

1. Basic Training Program for Forensic Drug Chemists – DEA

  1. Maine State Statue Title 17A - Handout
  1. Forensic Science Handbook – Saferstein – pp. 70-76
  1. Criminalistisc – An Introduction to Forensic Science – Saferstein – pp. 228-248

Training:

Lecture and notes

Evaluation:

List five drugs and give the class of drug and it’s schedule under Maine law.

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Section IV: Analytical Techniques

1. Microscope

Required skills and Knowledge:

  1. Stereomicroscope vs. Compound Microscope
  1. Similarities
  2. Differences
  1. Parts of Microscope
  2. Magnifications

Training:

  1. Lecture and Notes
  2. Demonstration

Reference:

Polarized Light Microscopy, W. McCrone

Criminalistisc – An Introduction to Forensic Science – Saferstein Chapter 7

Evaluation:

Written exam: List three types of microscopes and discuss their use in the identification of controlled substances.

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2. Thin Layer Chromatography

Skills and Knowledge Required:

  1. Theory and basic principles of the technique.
  2. Solvent systems.
  3. Detection methods.
  4. Separation and recovery of components.
  5. Comparison with other chromatographic techniques.

Training:

  1. Lecture and Notes
  2. Demonstration
  3. Hands on training

Reference:

Drug Procedure Manual

Criminalistisc – An Introduction to Forensic Science – Saferstein pp. 121-131

Handbook of Forensic Science Vol. 2 – pp 78-83

Evaluation:

Practical:

Spot a series of 10 drug standards and develop using different system and sprays.

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3. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

Knowledge Required:

  1. Theory of GC and GC/MS
  2. Basic design of the instrument
  3. Capabilities and limitations of the instrument
  4. Interpretation of chromatograms and mass spectrums

Skills Required:

  1. Proficiency in operating the instrument
  2. Ability to tune the GC/MS
  3. Ability to conduct qualitative analysis including library searches

Training:

  1. Knowledge
  1. Lecture by trainer
  1. Skills

a. Perform several qualitative analyses on the instrument

  1. Tune the instrument several times.

Readings:

Criminalistisc – An Introduction to Forensic Science – Saferstein – pp 132-142

Handbook of Forensic Science- Vol. 2 – Saferstein – Chapter 2

Clarks Identification of drugs

Handbook of Forensic Science – Vol. 1 – Saferstein - Chapter 3

Evaluation:

Written Examination:

Discuss the theory behind Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Practical:

A. Run a tune of the instrument

B. Run 5 drug standards using the Drug, Amine and Steroid programs

Ability to establish and run sample sequence

Ability to interpret data

Ability to operate QC Review program

Ability to compare spectra with library

Ability to print final report

4. Other Instrumentation: (HPLC and FTIR)

Knowledge Required:

  1. Principles of the instrument
  2. Operation of the Instrument
  3. Familiarity with the uses of the instruments in drug analysis

Skills Required:

  1. Familiarity with the instrument

Training:

  1. Knowledge: to get familiar with the principles of the techniques
  2. Skills: to operate the instruments during training

Readings:

Handbook of Forensic Science – Vol. 1 – Saferstein – Chapter 2 - HPLC

Handbook of Forensic Science – Vol. 2 – Saferstein – Chapter 3 - FTIR

Evaluation:

Written Examination:

Discuss the theory behind FTIR and HPLC

Practical:

  1. Run a polystyrene standard for FTIR
  2. Run a known drug standard for HPLC

C. Run 5 cocaine samples (salt and base)

Ability to establish and run sample sequence

Ability to interpret data

Ability to compare spectra with library

Ability to print final report

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5. Extraction Techniques

Knowledge:

  1. Familiarity with acidic, basic and neutral drug groups
  2. Knowledge about principles of extraction for different drug groups

Skills:

  1. Proficiency in extracting various drugs

Training:

  1. Knowledge: Training Manual by the DEA
  2. Skills: Extracting various known standards and running them on GC/MS

Evaluation:

Practical:

Extract 3 drug exhibits and run through GC/MS

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Section V: Analytical Procedures

1. Analysis of Marijuana

Required Knowledge and Skills:

  1. Botanical classification (taxonomy) of marijuana.
  2. Chemical constituents of marijuana.
  3. Botanical characteristics of marijuana and their uniqueness.
  4. Microscopic examination, color test, and thin layer chromatography (TLC).
  5. Identification of marijuana.
  6. Marijuana offense classifications (violation, misdemeanor, felony…. etc.).
  7. Protocol for analyzing suspected marijuana cases.

Training:

  1. Lecture and notes.
  2. Microscopic observations, chemical tests and TLC on various vegetation.
  3. Testing actual case sample (under supervision) –
  4. TLC on standards of major constituents of marijuana.
  5. False positives

Reference:

DEA

Clark’s Identificaton of Drugs

Handbook of Forensic Science – Vol. 2 – Saferstein – pp 87-92

Evaluation of Knowledge:

Written Test/Overall Evaluation

Evaluation of Skills:

  1. Performance of qualitative examination of unknown vegetation samples (a minimum of one positive and one negative).
  2. Mock trial.

Appraisal:

In case the performance of a trainee is found unsatisfactory, the following course of action may be utilized.

  1. Counseling, feedback and re-evaluation in the deficient area.
  2. Further training and re-evaluation in the deficient area.

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2. Analysis of General Powders and Residues

Knowledge Required:

  1. Chemical Structures
  2. Methods of Analysis
  3. Criteria used for identification

Skills Required:

Proficiency in analyzing the commonly encountered powders and residues.

Rwadings:

Knowledge:

  1. Training Manual – DEA
  2. Forensic Science Handbook – Chapter 3, Volume II – Saferstein pp 69-78
  3. Drug Procedure Manual
  4. Handbook of Forensic Science – Vol. 2 – Saferstein – pp 92-129

Skills:

  1. Working on cases with trainer

Evaluation:

Practical:

Extract 3 drug exhibits and run through GC/MS and FTIR

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3. Analysis of Tablets and Capsules

Knowledge Required:

  1. Resources of information for physical identification
  2. Standard terminology used to describe tablets/capsules
  3. Criteria for identification of tablets/capsules
  4. Physical/chemical identification

Skills Required:

  1. Physical identification using various literature sources
  2. Ability to locate criteria for identification
  3. Ability to identify special classifications of tablets (e.g. codeine, hydrocodone, etc) and the ability to access the resource information and discern how the case is to be done

Training:

Knowledge:

  1. Drug Procedure Manual
  2. Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)
  3. Logo Index – DEA
  4. Drug Identification Bible

Skills:

  1. Analyzing cases involving different kinds of marked/unmarked tablets/capsules

Evaluation:

Practical:

Examine 3 Tablet/Capsule exhibits by visual and GC/MS identification

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4. Analysis of Mushrooms

Knowledge Required:

  1. Chemical Structures
  2. Methods of Analysis
  3. Criteria used for identification

Skills Required:

Proficiency in analyzing the commonly encountered powders and residues.

Training:

Knowledge:

  1. Training Manual – DEA
  2. Drug Procedure Manual

Skills:

  1. Working on cases with trainer

Evaluation:

Practical:

Extract one mushroom sample and run through GC/MS

5. Analysis of Suspected LSD

Knowledge Required:

1)Chemical Structures

2)Methods of Analysis

3)Criteria used for identification

Skills Required:

Proficiency in analyzing the commonly encountered powders and residues.

Training:

Knowledge:

1)Training Manual – DEA

2)Forensic Science Handbook – Chapter 3, Volume II – Saferstein

3)Drug Procedure Manual

Skills:

1)Working on cases with trainer

Evaluation:

Extract one LSD sample and run through GC/MS

6. Quantitation

Knowledge Required:

  1. Internal Standard method of quantitation
  2. Calibration with standards
  3. Checking the calibration with the controls
  4. Using the calibration to deal with “unknowns”
  5. Drug quantitation on GC/MS
  6. Role of control charts

Skills Required:

  1. Proficiency in running calibration and samples
  2. Familiarity with preparation of standards and controls
  3. Proficiency in preparing and setting up samples on the GC/MS

Training:

  1. Knowledge:

a)Lecture by the trainer

  1. Skills:

(a)Working on cases involving quatitative analysis

(b)Preparing standards and controls at least once

(c)Setting up case samples and standards on the GC/MS

Evaluation:

Run quantification on 3 unknown samples

Section VI: Court Testimony

Knowledge Required:

  1. Rules of evidence
  2. Courtroom procedures
  3. Role of expert witness

Skills Required:

  1. Clear and concise responses to questions asked while testifying.
  2. Unbiased testimony (demonstrating same tone of voice and calm demeanor throughout the testimony).
  3. Responding to technical questions with a scientifically correct answer that the jury will be able to understand.

Training:

  1. Lecture/Readings
  2. Observing the testimony of an experienced Forensic Scientist in court.

Evaluation:

Mock trial

HETL DRUGCHEMISTRY TRAINING PROGRAM EVALUATION CHECKLIST

Employee: ______

Activities / Completion Date / Evaluator / Comments
Handling, Receipt, Custody and Security of Evidence
Laboratory Safety
Sources of Reference
General Professional Organizations
Weekly Quality Assurance Protocols
Quality Assurance and Procedures Manuals
Microscopy – Theory/Practical
Thin Layer Chromatography - – Theory/Practical
Marijuana Analysis
Report Writing
Courtroom Testimony/Mock Trial
Gas Chromatography – Theory/Practical
Mass Spectrometry – Theory/Practical
FTIR – Theory/Practical
HPLC – Theory/Practical
Extraction Techniques
Analysis of General Powders and Residues
Analysis of Tablets/Capsules
Quantitation of Drugs
Analysis of Mushrooms
Analysis of LSD

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