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

The principal purpose of sampling in the context of this guide 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?

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.

FIG. 1 Relationship of Various Levels Required in Sampling

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