4.1 This practice provides information for the sampling of seized-drug submissions.

4.2 The principal purpose of sampling in the context of this practice is to answer relevant questions about a population by examination of a portion of the population. For example:

What is the net weight of the population?

What portion of the units of a population can be said to contain a given drug at a given level of confidence?

4.3 By developing a sampling strategy and implementing appropriate sampling schemes, as illustrated in Fig. 1, a laboratory will minimize the total number of required analytical determinations, while ensuring that all relevant legal and scientific requirements are met.

1.1 This practice covers minimum considerations for sampling of seized drugs for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

1.2 This practice is intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal education, discipline-specific training (see Practice E2917), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.

1.3 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.