Microgram Bulletin

 

Published by the Drug Enforcement Administration 
Office of Forensic Sciences Washington, D.C. 20537 

The U. S. Attorney General has determined that the publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business required by the Department of Justice. Information, instructions, and disclaimers are published in the January issues.

VOL. XXXVI, NO. 11                                                           November 2003

 

Image of a Sutter Home" wine bottles each containing approximately 750 milliliters of clear, slightly yellow liquid, suspected gamma-hydroxy-butyrate (GHB) or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)
Photo 1

- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -

KETAMINE IN WINE BOTTLES IN EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN

The Michigan State Police Lansing Forensic Laboratory recently received three "Sutter Home" wine bottles each containing approximately 750 milliliters of clear, slightly yellow liquid, suspected gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) (see Photo 1). The bottles were seized at a common carrier facility in East Lansing by the Tri-County Metro Narcotics Squad (Michigan State Police Task Force). Analysis of the liquid from one randomly selected bottle by GC/MS and FT-IR, however, indicated not GHB or GBL but rather ketamine HCl. A crude gravimetric quantitation and recrystallization showed that the approximate 750 milliliters in the sampled bottle contained 68.05 grams of ketamine HCl. The other two bottles were not analyzed. This is the first encounter with ketamine solutions in wine bottles by the Laboratory.

 

 

* * * * *

- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -

OPIUM "TOOTSIE ROLLS" INSIDE A CASKET FROM THAILAND

The DEA North Central Laboratory (Chicago, Illinois) recently received 38 rectangular packages consisting of clear packaging tape over a brown leafy substance over flat rolled pieces of plastic containing a black tacky substance, suspected opium (see Photo 2 and Photo 3). The packets (which are locally known as "Tootsie Rolls") varied in size from 1 x 1 x 1 inch to 1 x 1 x 16 inches, and were originally seized by U.S. Customs Service Inspectors from a casket arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport on a flight from Thailand. The casket was control delivered to an individual in St. Paul, Minnesota by the DEA Minneapolis-St. Paul Resident Office, prior to submission to the Laboratory. Analysis of the material (total net mass 5.960 kilograms, not including wrappings and packaging) by color testing, GC, and MS indicated meconin, codeine, morphine, thebaine, and papaverine, confirming opium. The brown leafy substance was tentatively identified as bamboo leaves. These packets are regularly seized by local law enforcement personnel from Hmong expatriates residing in the upper Midwest; however, this was the first encounter with this smuggling technique by the North Central Laboratory.

Images of rectangular packages consisting of clear packaging tape over a brown leafy substance over flat rolled pieces of plastic containing a black tacky substance, suspected opium Image of an enlarged packet (which is locally known as "Tootsie Rolls") varied in size from 1 x 1 x 1 inch to 1 x 1 x 16 inches
Photo 2
Photo 3

 

* * * * *

- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -

WET COCAINE IN LOTION BOTTLES FROM JAMAICA

The DEA Mid-Atlantic Laboratory (Largo, Maryland) recently received five different varieties of "lotion" bottles, each containing a plastic bag of pasty white material, suspected wet cocaine (see Photo 4, below). The exhibits were seized by the United States Customs Service at the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport. Analysis of the exhibit (total net mass from the bottles was 881.4 grams) by color testing, GC, GC/MS, and FT-IR confirmed 59 percent cocaine hydrochloride. This was the laboratory's first encounter with this type of smuggling technique.

 
Images of different varieties of "lotion" bottles, each containing a plastic bag of pasty white material, suspected wet cocaine
Photo 4

* * * * *

- INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -

FENTANYL TABLETS IN POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA
Images of two "home-made", light green tablets, allegedly a mixture "kind of like Soma and Valium"
Photo 5

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Crime Laboratory recently received a polydrug submission from the Polk County Sheriff's Office that included two "home-made", light green tablets, allegedly a mixture "kind of like Soma and Valium". The tablets were seized during a probation check from a local drug user who is a so-called "Mikey" (a volunteer "guinea pig" who is willing to "test" (by self-administration) illicit drugs and drug mixtures of virtually any type). Other drugs seized in the same case included methamphetamine residue on charred foil, lorazepam powder and tablet fragments, a methadone tablet, and possible tramadone tablets (the latter were not analyzed, but were tentatively identified by tablet markings). The home-made tablets were unmarked, half-scored on one face, 12 millimeters in diameter, and had an average weight of 600 milligrams (see Photo 5). Preliminary analysis of a chloroform extract of one quarter of a tablet (from a 5% NaHC03 solution) by GC/MS suggested fentanyl. Analysis of a methanol extract (1 mL) of the remaining three-fourths of the tablet by GC and GC/MS confirmed fentanyl (quantitation not performed). This is the first time a tablet preparation of fentanyl has been encountered by the Laboratory.

* * * * *

Image of five pentagonal red tablets, suspected ecstasy
Photo 6
Image of two small cardboard boxes each containing a factory-sealed amber bottle, labelled in Spanish as containing ketamine and nandralone
Photo 7
Image of two small cardboard boxes each containing a factory-sealed amber bottle, labelled in Spanish as containing ketamine and nandralone
Photo 8
- INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -

STANAZOLOL TABLETS, KETAMINE, AND
NANDRALONE IN NEWARK, CALIFORNIA

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office Criminalistics Laboratory (San Leandro, California) recently received an interesting polydrug submission consisting of five pentagonal red tablets, suspected ecstasy, and two small cardboard boxes each containing a factory-sealed amber bottle, labelled in Spanish as containing ketamine and nandralone, respectively. The exhibits were seized pursuant to a consent search in Newark, California by the Fremont Police Department (Newark is located a few miles southwest of Fremont). The tablets measured approximately 4 millimeters on each side, and had a "T" logo on one side and a half-score on the other side (see Photo 6). Analysis by GC-MS, however, indicated not MDMA but rather stanozolol (not quantitated). The first box was marked: "...Ttokkyo Centenido Neto: 10 mL...Kettamina 1000...", and the factory-sealed bottle within was similarly marked "...Kettamina 1000..." (see Photo 7). Analysis of the liquid contents by FTIR/ATR and GC-MS confirmed ketamine (not quantitated). The second box was marked: "...Anabolico Esteroide Nandrolona 300 L.A....Contenido neto 10 ml..." and the factory-sealed bottle within was similarly marked: "...Anabolico Esteroide Contenido neto 10 ml. Nandrolona 300 L.A...." (see Photo 8); the fine print on both the box and bottle indicated that this was also a product of Ttokkyo Laboratories. Analysis of the liquid contents by GC-MS confirmed nandrolone decanoate (not quantitated). This is the first time any of these products have been encountered at the Laboratory. As a side note, Ttokkyo Laboratories (a notorious source of ketamine and anabolic steroids, situated in various locales in Mexico) was shut down by local authorities in October 2002 (for additional information, see: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cas/cas21002.1.htm)

 

 

* * * * *

- INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -

GREENISH COLORED MORPHINE POWDERS AT THE U.S.
PENITENTIARY IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS

The Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory (Beaumont, Texas) recently received two separate submissions of unknown greenish colored powders inside a small plastic bags, total net masses 0.63 grams and 0.83 grams, respectively (photos not taken). The exhibits had been seized by security personnel at the prison, and had been secreted within Muscle Fit and Maxim magazines, respectively, for attempted smuggling to inmates (further details not available). Analysis by spot tests and GC-MS indicated morphine in both exhibits (not quantitated). This was the first submission of greenish colored morphine to the Crime Laboratory.

 

* * * * *

- INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -

"ICE" l-METHAMPHETAMINE HCI ON THE WEST COAST
Image of a 3.3 gram sample of clear crystalline material, suspected "ICE" methamphetamine
Photo 9

The DEA Western Laboratory (San Francisco, California) recently received a 3.3 gram sample of clear crystalline material, suspected "ICE" methamphetamine (circumstances of seizure not provided due to ongoing investigation). "ICE" methamphetamine is (by definition) high-purity d-methamphetamine hydrochloride; it is usually encountered as large, clear or white-clear crystals, and is typically ingested by smoking. Analysis by Marquis color testing and GC-FID of the N-trifluoroacetyl-L-prolyl derivative, however, indicated not the d- isomer but rather 99 percent l-methamphetamine hydrochloride. No synthetic route information was developed during the analyses. The laboratory later received a 2670 gram submission from the same case, packaged in six ziplock plastic bags that were further sealed in vacuum-packed, heat-sealed plastic bags. The crystalline material was again clear and the individual crystals were large [see Photo 9]. Analysis indicated that four of the bags contained mixtures of d- and l-methamphetamine hydrochloride in roughly a 3:1 ratio (favoring the d- isomer). The remaining two bags were found to have a similar mixture, but in roughly a 1:10 ratio (favoring the l-isomer). Quantitative analysis of a composite sample from all six bags determined the overall purity to be 96 percent. The DEA laboratory system has encountered a number of similar samples over the past two years.

[Editor's Notes: The literature suggests that d-methamphetamine is between five and ten times more potent than the l- isomer; however, this does not correspond to differences in efficacy or abuse potential, since abusers can compensate merely by taking more of the l- isomer.]

* * * * *

- INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -

ANALYSIS OF THE POPPY CAPSULES FROM THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST SEIZURE

Image of a seizure of the large opium poppy field in the Sierra National Forest, California
Photo 10
Image showing a lanced capsule at the field, bleeding latex
Photo 11

[Editor's Preface: The referenced seizure occurred in June 2003, and was reported in detail in the August and September 2003 issues of Microgram Bulletin.]

The DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Dulles, Virginia) recently received 18 opium poppy capsules from the June 2003 seizure of the large opium poppy field in the Sierra National Forest, California. [Note: According to the National Forestry Service, there were 40,000 to 50,000 plants in the field, with an average height of three feet, and three to five capsules per plant (see Photo 10). All capsules showed vertical lancing marks on their exteriors (see Photo 11, showing a lanced capsule at the field, bleeding latex).] The capsules (total net mass 15.1 grams) had been thoroughly dried to prevent natural decomposition during transit, and (as a result) several of them had burst open and dispersed seeds into the evidence envelope prior to analysis. The average diameter of the capsules was found to be 19.1 mm and the average height was 20.8 mm. It was not determined whether these capsules represented 'typical' capsules in the field; however, the capsules forwarded to the laboratory were relatively small compared to typical opium poppies from other opium producing regions in the world.

The analysis started by separating the capsules by cutting them off just above the petal scar (i.e., where the flower petals were once attached). The seeds were then removed from the capsules, and the remaining parts of the capsules (mostly hull) were crushed into a uniform mass of small fragments. Analysis of an extract of the hull material by GC/MS (with quantitation by CE ) confirmed 0.4 percent morphine, 0.1 percent codeine, 0.06 percent thebaine, 0.2 percent noscapine, and 0.08 percent papaverine, all calculated at the base. This corresponded to 2 milligrams of morphine base per capsule, or roughly 360 grams of morphine for the entire field. It is unknown whether the field was being cultivated for production of opium gum (for which there is a growing market in the U.S.) or for eventual production of heroin.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LAST CALL FOR EMAIL ADDRESSES

The following list (alphabetized by country) represents non-U.S. organizations that have dropped off the Microgram subscription e-net. Virtually all of these organizations failed to respond to last year's multiple subscription re-validation requests. Many represent offices or laboratories that closed or moved years or even decades ago. A few provided invalid email addresses, or provided email addresses that have since become invalid.

The Office of Forensic Sciences requests your assistance in tracking down these organizations, and (if they are still interested in receiving Microgram Bulletin and Microgram Journal) asking them to provide an accurate email address to the Microgram Editor. Note that personal names and/or street addresses have been redacted for security reasons; however, the provided information should be adequate to identify those organizations that are still operational. If the office or laboratory has closed or consolidated, or is operational but simply not interested in remaining on the subscription e-net, that information would also be appreciated. All responses should be emailed to the Editor at: microgram_editor@mailsnare.net

All organizations for which no response is received will be deleted from the subscription database at the end of this year.

Office 1
Office 2
Misc.
City/Code
Country
*Policia Federal Argentina Chemical Laboratory   Bahia Blanca 8000 Argentina
*Capital Fed     Yerbal 1095 PB DTO A Argentina
*Policia Federal Argentina     Neuquen 8300 Argentina
*Policia Federal Argentina     Rosario 2000 Argentina
*Div Laboratorio Quimico     Buenos Aires 1107 Argentina
*Departamento Drogas Peligrosas     Buenos Aires Argentina
*Camara Federal de Apelaciones

Laboratorio Analitico Pericial

     
*Tox Unit/Royal North Shr. Hosp MacQuarie Hospital Campus   New South Wales Australia
*National Crime Authority - Perth     West Australia 6000 Australia
*National Institute of Forensic Sciences R&D Park Centre   Bundoora Vic 3083 Australia
*Division of Analytical Laboratories Drug Section   Lidcombre NSW 2141 Australia
*Australian Federal Police Computer Forensics Program     Australia
*Health Department Library     Hobart 7000 Tasmania Australia
*Der Univ. Innsbruck Inst. Fuer Gerichtl. Medizin   A-6020 Innsbruck Austria
*For Sci Lab/Royal Bah. Police Police Headquarters   Nassau N.P. Bahamas
* Ministry of Interior Crim Invest. Dir/For Sci Lab     Bahrain
* Criminal Investigation Dept     Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh
*Barbados Ministry of Health Forensic Chemistry Dept     Barbados (West Indies)
*Office of the Attorney General Forensic Sciences Centre   St. Michael Barbados (West Indies)
*Expert-Criminalistics Dept Belrus Min. for Home Affairs   Minsk 220615 Belarus Republic
*Ministry of Internal Affairs Forensic Centre   Minsk 220615 Belarus Republic
*Gerechtelijke Politie     Antwerp 2018 Belgium
*Institut d'Hygiene et D'epidemiologie     Brussels 1050 Belgium
*Gemeentepolitie     Knokke-Heist 8300 Belgium
*Police Judiciare     Mons 7000 Belgium
*National Forensic Services     Belize City Belize
*Board on Misuse of Drugs     Hamilton Bermuda
*Scenes of Crime Office Police Headquarters   Prospect, Devonshire DV02 Bermuda
*De Advanas Assesor Quimico     La Paz Bolivia
*Botswana Police Force Forensic Science Laboratory   Gabarone Botswana
*Instituto Nationale de Criminalistica Dept Policial Sul   Brasilia Brazil
*Inst. of Forensic Science Ministry of the Interior   Sofia 1000 Bulgaria
*Cambodian Forensic Drug Laboratory RSO - American Embassy/Phnom Penh   Phnom Penh Cambodia
*St. Boniface General Hospital Biochemistry Laboratory   Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6 Canada
*BAL Consulting       Canada
*Dept of National Health Drug Research Lab   Ottawa Canada
*Royal Canadian Mounted Police Crime Laboratory   Vancouver, BC V5Z 3L7 Canada
*Pharmc Chem Div/Bur Drug Res Health Protection Bureau Tunney's Pasture Ottawa, ONT K1A 0L2 Canada
*Chief Coroner Ontario     Tononto, ONT M7A 2G9 Canada
*Life Sciences Division   Tunney's Pasture Ottawa, ONT K1A 0L2 Canada
*Laboratoire de Sci Judiciaires et de Med Legal Ministere de la Securite Publique - Centre de Documentation   Montreal, Quebec H2K 3S7 Canada
*Maxxam Analytics Health and Welfare Canada   Mississauga, ONT L4Z 1P1 Canada
*Royal Canadian Mounted Police Forensic Laboratory     Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0E7 Canada
*Provincial Toxicology Centre     Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 4J2 Canada
*Laboratorio de Criminalistica de Carabineros de Chile     Santiago Chile
*Universidad de Criminalistica Investigaciones de Chile     Santiago Chile
*Universidad de Chile, Departamento de Quimica     Santiago Chile
*The Criminal Police Inst of Shenyang     Shenyang China
*Ministry of Public Security Inst of Forensic Sciences   Beijing China
*Toxi Sec/Beijing Inst of Tong Forensic Sci     Beijing China
*Dept of Analytical Tox Ministry of Public Security     Beijing China
*Liaoning Crim For Chem Sci & Tech Pub     Shenyang China
*Lab Div of MJIB     Taipei Republic of China
*Rech Inst/Security Bur of Pub Security & Tech Pub     Yunnan Province China
*Forensic Science Laboratory Municipal Pub Security   Shanghai China
*Zhongshan Medical College Dept of Legal Serology   Guangzhou China
*DAS - Seccion de Laboratorio Forense     Bogota Colombia
*Instituto Regional de Medicina Legal     Medellin Colombia
*Dept Admin de Seguridad, Div Lab e. Identifi     Bogota Colombia
*Div Criminalistica     Bogota Colombia
*Lab de Estupefacientes     Bogota Colombia
*Laboratorio Decypol     Medellin Colombia
*Inst Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencas Forenses Coordinadora Laboratorio de Estupefacientes   Bogota Colombia
*Ministry of Health     Raotonga Cook Islands
*Department of Forensic Science     San Jose Costa Rica
*Ministry of Public Health Narcotic Drug Dept   San Jose Costa Rica
*Corte Suprema de Justicia For. Chem Sec/Forensic Sci Lab   San Jose 1003 Costa Rica
Ministry of the Interior Forensic Institute   Zagreb 10000 Croatia
*Department of Toxicology Laboratory of Public Health   Heelsunstraat Curacao Antilles
*Ministry of Health Inspectorate of Narcotic Drugs   12801 Prague 2 Czech Republic
*Dept of Chemistry Inst of Criminalistics   170 89 Prague Czech Republic
*Aarhus Universitet Drug Investigation Section   Skovagervej 2 DK-8240 Risskov Denmark
University of Copenhagen Institute of Forensic Medicine, Dept. of Forensic Chem.   Copenhagen Denmark
*Palacio Policia Nacional Laboratorio Criminologica   Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
*Laboratorio Criminalistica     Quito Ecuador
*Crime Detection and Forensic Science Dept Natl Ctr for Soc & Crim Res   Cairo Egypt
*Fiji CID Headquarters     Suva Fiji Islands
*Prefecture de Police Direction du Laboratoire de Toxicologie   Paris 2EME France
*Prefecture de Police Laboratoire de Police Scientifique   Paris 75001 France
*Laboratoire de Police Scientifique     Marseille Cedex 2 France
*Laboratoire de Police Scientifique     Marseille F-13248 France
*Prefecture de Police Service Documentation   59650 Villeneuve D'Ascq France
*Laboratoire de Police Scientifique     F-31021 Toulouse Cedex 02 France
*Ministry of Justice of Georgia Expertise and Special Research Centre   Tbilisi Georgia
*Dept of Forensic Chemisty Chemisches Untersuchungsamt   5800 Hagen 1 Germany
*Landeskriminalamt NW     40000 Dusseldorf 1 Germany
*Landeskriminalamt Baden-Wurttemberg Landeskriminalamt/KTI-702   70337 Stuttgart Germany
*Polizei Hamburg-Chemie/toxikologie Landeskriminalamt Hamburg-IKA 32   22297 Hamburg Germany
*Westf. Wilhelms-Universitat     48129 Munster Germany
Landeskriminalamt     D-55118 Mainz Germany
Rheinland - Pfalz        
*Landeskriminalamt Hessisches     65183 Wiesbaden Germany
*Landeskriminalamt Mecklenburg-Vorpommen Kriminaltechnisches Institut   0-2711 Rampe II Germany
*Bundeskriminalamt-Wiesbaden     D-65173 Wiesbaden Germany
*Unversitat Tubigen Pharmazeutisches Institut   Tubigen 1 Germany
*Ghana Police Service CI Dept/HQs Crime Lab   Accra Ghana
*Forensic Science Board Ghana Standards Board   Accra Ghana
*Lab & Clinical Pathology Public Health Authority     Gibraltar
*Dept of Legal Toxicology Univ Med   Thessaloniki Greece
*Thessaloniki Regional Administration 2nd Chemical Service   Thessaloniki 54625 Greece
*Laboratorio da Policia Forensic Laboratory Judiciaria de Macau Macau Hong Kong
*Experts Institute     Budapest 62 Hungary
*Committee on pharmaceuticals     172 Seltjarnarnes Iceland
*State Forensic Sci Laboratory   Manipur, Imphal Pangei-795114 India
*Tamil Nadu Forensic Sci   Kamarajar Salai Mylapore Madras India
*Forensic Science Laboratory   Punjab Chandigarh India
*Central Forensic Science Lab Ramanthapur, Amberpet P.O. Mha Hyderabad 500 013 India
*Govern Opium & Alkaloid Works     Chazipur Up India
*Manipur State Police Forensic Science Lab   Yangdong- 795114 Imphal India
*Forensic Sciences Laboratories Govt of Uttar Pradesh PO Mahanagar Lucknow 226 006 India
*State Drugs Control & Research Laboratory Govt of West Bengal   Calcutta 700 015 India
*Forensic Science Laboratory    Guwahati-781019 Assam, Kahilpara India
*Central Revenues Control Lab    Hillside RD/Iari P.O. New Delhi 12 India
*Forensic Sciences Dept, Narcotics Division    Chepank Madras 600 005 India
*Tripura State Forensic Sci Lab   Agartala, CID HQs   India
*State Forensic Sci Lab     Govt of Madhya Pradesh Sagar MP India
*National Inst of Crim & Forensic Sci       Rohini Delhi 110085 India
*Pusa Institute, Central      New Delhi 8 India
Control Lab         
Central Forensic Sci Lab Bur of Invest     India
*Govt Opium & Alkaloid Works     Neemuch MP India
*Forensic Science Lab   Mizoram: Aizawl-796001 Mizoram India
Government of Bihar Forensic Science Laboratory   Bihar India
*Forensic Science Laboratories   Red Hills, Hyderabad 500 004 A.P. India
*Indonesian Police Headquarters Forensic Chem Div, Criminal Police Lab   Djakarta Indonesia
*Department of Justice, Forensic Science Laboratory Garda Headquarters Phoenix Park Dublin 8 Ireland
National HQ, Sheikh Jarrah Intelligence Dept.     Israel
National Police Headquarters Head, Interpol & Intnl. Ops     Israel
National Police Headquarters National Forensic Laboratory; National Police Headquarters     Israel
National HQ, Sheikh Jarrah Div. of Ident. & Forensic Sci.     Israel
National Police Headquarters Criminal Intelligence Dept.-Narcotics Control Board     Israel
Agenzia Delle Dogane Lab Chimico di Roma Responsabile Reparto Stupefac. Rome Italy
Commissario Straordinario Politiche Antidroga     Italy
Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga Centro di Documentazione     Italy
*Gab. Regionale di Pol. Scient. Sezione Laboratorio Chimico   Firenze Cap. 50129 Italy
*Squadra Mobile Questura     Palermo Italy
*Inst. Di Mediciana Legale Forensic Toxicology Lab   Terni 05100 Italy
*Seconda Univ. Di Napoli Cattedra di Chim. Toss. Foren.   Napoli 80138 Italy
*Universita Degli Studi/Siena Dipart. Di Scienze Medico-Leg.   Siena 53100 Italy
*Univ Degli Studi Napoli Inst. di Menicina   Napoli 5-80131 Italy
Sottocentro Carabinieri Investig. Scientifiche, Chemistry Sectionq   Parma 43100 Italy
*Laboratorio Chimico Centrale d Dogane e II. II   Rome 00153 Italy
*Livorno Chemical Laboratory Agenzia Delle Dogane   Livorno 57100 Italy
*Laboratorio Chimico Provincial     Rovigno Italy
*Joint Research Centre. Environment Institute Centro Comune di Ricera   Ispra 1-21020 Italy
*Regional Forensic Office for Tuscany     Florence Italy
*Centre Carrabinieri Invest.     Rome 511 Italy 00165
*Centre of Behav & Forensic Tox UNFDAC Collaborating Centre Instituto Medicina Legale Pado 35100 Italy
Ministry of National Security Forensic Science Laboratory   Kingston 6 Jamaica
*Hyogo Profectural Police Dept Forensic Science Laboratory   Kobe 650-0011 Japan
*Kinki Regional Narcotics Control Office Chuou-Ku   Osaka City 540-0008 Japan
*Asahikawa Headquarters Crime Laboratory Hokkaido Police HQ   Hokkaido Japan
*Hakodate Area Headquarters Criminal Investigation Lab   Hokkaido Japan
*Fukuoka Prefectural Police Forensic Science Lab   Fukuoka Japan
*Maritime Safety Agency Research Center   Tachikama, Tokyo Japan
*Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Section of Analytical Drug Criminal Investigation Lab Tokyo Japan
*Kitamin Prefectural Police Headquarters Kushiro District Headquarters   Hokkaido 090-8511 Japan
*Hokkaido Prefectural Police Headquarters Forensic Science Laboratory   Sapporo 060-8520 Japan
*Tokyo Customs International Intelligence Office Enforcement Division Tokyo 135-8615 Japan
*Mie Prefectural Police Headquarters Forensic Science Laboratory   Tsu Mie 514-8514 Japan
*Ministry of Finance Central Customs Laboratory Research & Planning Sect Chiba-Ken 271-0 Japan
*Kanto-Shinetsu Dist Narc Contr Ministry of Health and Welfare   Tokyo 153 Japan
*Ministry of Health & Welfare Narcotic Div, Pharmaceu Bur   Tokyo 100 Japan
*Metropolitan Police Dept Crime Lab   Tokyo 100 Japan
*Kang-Weon National University School of Pharmacy Dept. of Pharmacology Chuncheon 200 Korea
*Nat'l Inst of Scientific Invest Forensic Sci Sec   Seoul 122-020 Korea
Narcotics Analysis Division Drug Evaluation Department KFDA   Korea
*National Drug Law Enforcement Agency     Lagos Nigeria
*National Guard of Rep. Latvia     Riga LV-1050 Latvia
*I.C.P.O. Interpol Latvia National Central Bureau   Riga LV-1009 Latvia
Lebanon Internal Anti-Drug Bureau   Beirut Lebanon
*Royal Lesotho Forensic Science Lab   Maseru 100 Lesotho
Mounted Police        
*Ministry of Internal Affairs Dept of Forensic Science   Vilnius Lithuania
*Terengganu Branch (kimia) Department of Chemistry   Terengganu Malaysia
Department of Chemistry Malaysia     Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Malaysia
*University of Malta Medical School, Pathology Department   Gwarda Mangia Malta
*Police Forensics Sci Laboratory National Laboratories Complex   Reduit Mauritius
*Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Penales     Tlalpan 14000 Mexico
*Ministry of Internal Affairs Criminalistics Center   Kishinev 277012 Moldova Republic
*Ministry of Science and Technology National Forensic Science Laboratory   Rijswijk, NL 2288 GD Netherlands
*Bureau of Pharmaceutical Affairs     Curacao Netherlands Antilles
*Pub Health Lab Tox & Pharm Quality Control   Curacao Netherlands Antilles
*National Poisons Centre Otago Medical School   Dunedin New Zealand
*IEHFS Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Sect   Lower Hutt New Zealand
Fed Min of Health Food and Drug Administration Central Lab Serv Oshodi Lagos Nigeria
*Nigeria Police Forensic Science Laboratory 'D' Department Force CID   Lagos Nigeria
*National Chem Laboratory     Lagos Nigeria
*Central Laboratory, Oshodi     Ikeja Nigeria
*Office National des Produits Pharmaceut, Et. Chimiques   Niamey Niger
*Norwegian Customs Laboratory     Oslo 0032 Norway
*National Institute of Forensic Toxicology Statens RettstoksikoloGiske   Oslo 0105 Norway
*National Institutes of Health New Drug Control Division   Islamabad Pakistan
*Science Forensic Laboratory Policia Tecnica Judical   Panama 1 Panama
*Depart de Narc Minis del Inter     Asuncion Paraguay
Philippines Public Safety College National Criminalistics Research & Training Inst   Fort Bonifacio Philippines
*National Bureau of Investigation     Davao City 8000 Philippines
*Institute of Psychiatry & Neurology Neurochemistry Department   Warsaw Poland
*Observatorio Europeu da Drogas da Toxico Centro de Documentacao   Lisboa 1100 Portugal
*Policia Judiciaria     Porto 4200 Portugal
*Ministry of the Interior Forensic Science Center   Moscow 123060 Russia
*Ministry of Commerce Quality Control and Insp Dept   Riyadh 11162 Saudi Arabia
*Forensic Lab     Riyadh 11572 Saudi Arabia
*Forensic Labs/Arab Security Studies & Training Center   Riyadh 11452 Saudi Arabia
*Central Narcotics Bureau     Singapore 169036 Republic of Singapore
Health Sciences Authority Centre for Forensic Sciences Narcotics Laboratory Singapore 169078 Republic of Singapore
National Blood Center Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine Dept of Scientific Services Singapore 169078 Republic of Singapore
*Kriminalisticky a Expertizny Ustav Policajneho Zboru   Bratislava 83106 Slovakia
*Ministerio de Defensa Laboratorio de Referencia/Dragas de Abuso   Madrid 28012 Spain
*Ministerio de Justicia Instituto Anatomico Forense, Palacio de Justicia   Caragena Spain
*Dir Gen de Seguretat Ciutadana Mossos d'Esquadra Lab Analit.   Barcelona 08018 Spain
*Centro de Farmacia del Aire. Madrid Laboratorio de Toxicologia   Getafe 28021 (Madrid) Spain
*De Policia Nacional/Servicio Central de Estupefacientes   Madrid 2828014 Spain
*Dir Gen de Aduanas Lab Central de Aduanas   Madrid 3

Spain

*Serv. Centr. de Policia Laboratorio Quimico   Madrid 28053 Spain
*Ministerio de Justicia Inst. Nacional de Toxicologia   Madrid 28002 Spain
*Laboratorio, Area de Sanidad     Barcelona 08002 Spain
*Ministerio del Interior Nacional Sobre Drogas Delegacion del Gobierno para el Plan Madrid 28001 Spain
*Catedra de Medicina Leg y Tox Univ. de Murcia   Murcia Spain
The Balearic Islands     The Balearic Islands Spain
*Ministerio de Sanidad y de Vergara     Madrid 28006 Spain 28006
*National Dangerous Drugs Control Board     Colombo 1 Sri Lanka
*Government Analyst's Dept     Colombo 7 Sri Lanka
*National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Narcotics Laboratory National (W.H.O.) Consultant Rajagiriya Sri Lanka
*National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Control Board   Rajagiriya Sri Lanka
*Forensic Chemistry Lab     St.Thomas Virgin Islands
*Ministry of Health Central Laboratory   Paramaribo Suriname
*Government of Suriname Pharmaceutical Lab   Paramaribo Suriname
*Nat'l Inst of Forensic Chem Univ Hosp Div of Chemical Toxicology Linkoping 581 85 Sweden
*Statens Kriminaltekniska Laboratorium   Linkoping S 581 01 Sweden
*Swedish Customs Analysis Division Intelligence   Gothenburg S 404 85 Sweden
*Intercantonal Office for Control of Meds. Swiss FDA   Bern CH3012 Switzerland
*Polizia d. Cantone Ticino Polizia Scientifica   Bellinzona 6500 Switzerland
*Brigade de Stupeficants Hotel de Police   1211 Geneva 8 Switzerland
Universite de lausanne Institut de Police Scientifique et de Criminologie   Ch-1015 lausanne Switzerland
*Institut fur Rechtsmedizin Universitat Zurich, Chemisch-Tox. Abteilung   Zurich CH-8057 Switzerland
*University of Bern Department of Clinical Research Analytical Toxicology & Pharmokinetics Unit Bern CH-3010 Switzerland
*Royal Thai Police Department Scientific Crime Detection Div   Bangkok 10330 Thailand
*Srinak Harinthwirot Univ Dept of Chem/Fac of Sci   Bangkok 10110 Thailand
*Thailand Natl Police Dept Scientific Crime Detect Secct   Bangkok Thailand
*Bangkok Police Department Sci Crime Section Laboratory   Bangkok 5 Thailand
*Narcotics Control Board Phyathai District Board   Bangkok Thailand
Narcotics Division Department of Public Health   Nonthaburi 11000 Thailand
*Criminal Police Laboratory      Ankara Turkey
*State Laboratory, Turkish Rep of N Cyprus Devlet Laboratuvari.    Northern Cyprus, Lefkosa-Kibris Mersin-10 Turkey
*Ministry of Internal Affairs Analytical Laboratory   Kampalla Uganda
Imperial College of Sci Tech Toxicology Unit Charing Cross Campus England United Kingdom
Liverpool John Moores University School of Biomolecular Science Liverpool L3 3AF England United Kingdom
University of Central Lancashire Centre for Forensic Sciences   PR1 2HE England United Kingdom
*Cuerpo Tecnico de Policia Div de Toxicolgoia Forense   Caracas Venezuela
*Ministerio de Hacienda Laboratorio de Aduanas   Caracas CSB Venezuela
*Inst Univ de Policia Cientifica/Avenida Neveri con Monte Socro/Auyantepuy/Colina   Caracas Venezuela
*Nacional Lab y Archivo Central     Caracas Venezuela
*Dept Analisis     Caracas Venezuela
*Lab Toxicologia PTJ Inst de Med Legal   Caracas Venezuela
*Dept de Toxicologia Facultad de Farmacia Toxicologo Forense ULA Merida Venezuela
*National Guard (Venezuela)     Caracas 1020 Venezuela
*Forensic Science Lab     Causeway, Harare Zimbabwe

 

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SELECTED REFERENCES

[Note: Selected references are a compilation of recent publications of presumed interest to forensic chemists. Unless otherwise stated, all listed citations are published in English. If available, the email address for the primary author is provided as the contact information. Listed mailing address information (which is sometimes cryptic or incomplete) exactly duplicates that provided by the abstracting services.]

1. Coyle HM, Palmbach T, Juliano N, Ladd C, Lee HC. An overview of DNA methods for the identification and individualisation [sic] of marijuana. Croatian Medical Journal 2003;44(3):315. [Editor's Notes: Presents a short review of the title topic. Contact: Division of Scientific Services, Connecticut State Forensic Science Laboratory, 278 Colony Street, Meriden, CT 06451.]

2. Jimeno ML, Alkorta I, Cano C, Jagerovic N, Goya P, Elguero J, FocesFoces C. Fentanyl and its analogue N-(1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl)-N-[2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidyl]propanamide: H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and theoretical calculations. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2003;51(8):929. [Editor's Notes: The oxalate salts and free bases of the title compounds were analyzed by the title techniques. Contact: N Jagerovic, CSIC, Inst Quim Med, Juan Cierva 3, E-28006, Madrid, Spain.]

3. Baeyens WRG, VanderWeken G, Smet E, GarciaCampana AM, Remon JP. Comparison of morphine and hydromorphone analysis on reversed phase columns with different diameters. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 2003;32(4-5):913. [Editor's Notes: Presents the analysis of the title compounds by HPLC on 2, 3, and 4 mm i.d. RP columns with UV detection. Contact: WRG Baeyens, State Univ Ghent, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Pharmaceut Anal, Lab Drug Qual Control, Harelbekestr 72, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.]

4. Hosztafi S, Noszal B. Determination of morphine and its derivatives, by means of luminescence analysis. Acta Pharmaceutica Hungarica 2002;72(3):191. [Editor's Notes: A mini-review of the title topic. Contact: ICN Magyarorszag Rt., 4440 Tiszavasvari, Hung.]

5. Cabovska B, Norman AB, Stalcup AM. Separation of cocaine stereoisomers by capillary electrophoresis using sulfated cyclodextrins. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2003;376(1):134. [Editor's Notes: The title study is presented. Contact: Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221.]

6. Lewis LD. Method of disposing of hazardous wastes connected with criminal activity. US 20030176756 A1 18 Sep 2003, U.S. Pat Appl. Publ. CLASS: ICM: A62D003-00. NCL: 588213000. APLICATION: US 2002-100325 18 Mar 2002. [Editor's Notes: Presents the use of a portable incinerator (however, only selected waste materials are suitable for destruction). Contact: USA (no further contact information was provided).]

7. Makarov SA, Simonov EA, Makarov VG, Kozlov AS. Method for determination of narcotic, psychotropic and offensive substances of plant and synthetic origin. Russ. RU 2,205,385 (Cl. G01N21/78) 27 May 2003, Appl. 2,002,103,845, 18 Feb 2002. [Editor's Notes: Appears to present a narcotics test kit (abstract is not clear). This patent is written in Russian. Contact: Russia (no further contact information was provided).]

8. Hu Y, Ning Z, Liu D. Determination of pterostilbene in Dragon's Blood by RP-HPLC. Yaowu Fenxi Zazhi 2002;22(6):428. [Editor's Notes: Presents the title study. This article is written in Chinese. Contact: Medical College of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Tianjin 300162, Peop. Rep. China.]

Additional References of Possible Interest:

1. Liau AS, Liu JT, Lin LC, Chiu YC, Shu YR, Tsai CC, Lin CH. Optimisation [sic] of a simple method for the chiral separation of methylamphetamine and related compounds in clandestine tablets and urine samples by beta-cyclodextrin modified capillary electrophoresis: A complementary method to GC-MS. Forensic Science International 2003;134(1):17. [Editor's Notes: Investigated compounds include methamphetamine, methcathinone, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine. The focus is toxicology. Contact: Dept. of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, 88 Sec. 4, Tingchow Road, Taipei, Taiwan.]

2. Jarman JL, Seerley SI, Todebush RA, de Haseth JA. Semiautomated depositor for infrared microspectrometry. Applied Spectroscopy 2003;57(9):1078. [Editor's Notes: A novel method for depositing minute samples for IR microspectrometry is presented (the authors suggest applicability to forensic analyses). Contact: Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.]

3. Wadler GI. Future and designer drugs: Emerging science and technologies. Performance-Enhancing Substances in Sport and Exercise 2002:305. [Editor's Notes: Presents a review of performance enhancing drugs, with a discussion of new developments. Contact: Clinical Medicine, NYU School of Medicine (no further addressing information provided).]

4. Persky AM, Hochhaus G, Brazeau GA. Validation of a simple liquid chromatography assay for creatine suitable for pharmacokinetic applications, determination of plasma protein binding, and verification of percent labeled claim of various creatine products. Journal of Chromatography B - Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences 2003;794(1):157. [Editor's Notes: Includes the analysis of OTC creatine containing products. Contact: AM Persky, Univ N Carolina, Sch Pharm, Div Drug Delivery & Disposit, CB 7360 Kerr Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.]

5. Qi ML, Wang P, Zhou L, Sun Y. Simultaneous determination of four active components in a compound formulation by liquid chromatography. Chromatographia 2003;58(3-4):183. [Editor's Notes: Describes a rapid and accurate LC method for determination of pseudoephedrine, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine, in a compound formulation. Contact: ML Qi, Beijing Inst Technol, Sch Chem Engn & Mat Sci, Dept Chem, Beijing 100081, Peoples R China.]

6. Bicker W, Hebenstreit D, Lammerhofer M, Lindner W. Enantiomeric profiling in ephedrine samples by enantioselective capillary electrochromatography. Electrophoresis 2003;24(15):2532. [Editor's Notes: Presents a non-aqueous CEC method for ee analysis of ephedrine. Contact: M Lammerhofer, Wahringerstr 38, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.]

7. Libong D, Pirnay S, Bruneau C, Rogalewicz F, Ricordel I, Bouchonnet S. Adsorption-desorption effects in ion trap mass spectrometry using in situ ionization. Journal of Chromatography A 2003;1010(1):123. [Editor's Notes: Quadrupole mass spectrometers were compared for the GC/MS analyses of diazepam, alprazolam, triazolam, LSD, trimethylsilylated LSD, and trimethylsilylated buprenorphine. Contact: S Bouchonnet, Ecole Polytech, Dept Chim Mecanismes React, Route Saclay, F-91128 Palaiseau, France.]

8. Bazylak G, Nagels LJ. Simultaneous high-throughput determination of clenbuterol, ambroxol and bromhexine in pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC with potentiometric detection. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 2003;32(4-5):887. [Editor's Notes: The title analysis was performed using six different isocratic systems. Contact: G Bazylak, Univ Antwerp, RUCA, Dept Chem, Fac Sci & Biomed, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium.]

9. Altun A, Golcuk, Kumru M, Jalbout AF. Electron-conformational study for the structure-hallucinogenic activity relationships of phenylalkylamines. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 2003;11(18):3861. [Editor's Notes: Presents a theoretical study of the topic. Contact: A Altun, Faith Univ, Dept Phys, TR-34900 Istanbul, Turkey.]

10. Cottingham K. Ion mobility spectrometry rediscovered. Analytical Chemistry 2003;75(19):435A. [Editor's Notes: Presents a mini-review of IMS, focusing on potential applications in proteomics. Includes an overview of current instrumentation. Contact: No contact information was provided.]

11. Tseng YL, Hsu H-R, Kuo F-H, Shieh M-H, Chang C-F. Ephedrines in over-the-counter cold medicines and urine specimens collected during sport competitions. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 2003;27(6):359. [Editor's Notes: Presents an anlytical protocol using GC/NPD and GC/MS. Compounds include ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and methylephedrine. 91 OTC medications were analyzed. Contact: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Doping Control Center, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.]

12. van Zundert M. Travel-pills, ecstasy pills, or Grandma's heart-rhythm pills? Pharmaceutisch Weekblad 2002;137(51/52):1825. [Editor's Notes: Appears to be a conversational overview presenting the use of TLC and GC for the identification of unknowns at a Dutch emergency pill identification lab. This article is written in Dutch. Contact: Netherlands (no further contact information was provided).]

13. Mortier KA, Dams R, Lambert WE, De Letter EA, Van Calenbergh S, De Leenheer AP. Determination of para-methoxyamphetamine and other amphetamine-related designer drugs by liquid chromatography/sonic spray ionization mass spectrometry. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 2002 16(9):865. [Editor's Notes: The focus is on biological matrices; however, the authors indicate potential use for analysis of tablets, powders, or aqueous solutions. Contact: Laboratorium voor Toxicologie, Universiteit Gent, B-9000 Ghent, Belg.]

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THE DEA FY - 2004 STATE AND LOCAL
FORENSIC CHEMISTS SEMINAR SCHEDULE

The FY - 2004 schedule for the DEA=s State and Local Forensic Chemists Seminar is as follows:

December 8 - 12, 2003
February 9 - 13, 2004
April 19 - 23, 2004
June 14 - 18, 2004
September 20 - 24, 2004

Note that the school is open only to forensic chemists working for law enforcement agencies, and is intended for chemists who have completed their agency's internal training program and have also been working on the bench for at least one year. There is no tuition charge for this course. The course is held at the AmeriSuites Hotel in Sterling, Virginia (near the Washington/Dulles International Airport). A copy of the application form is appended onto the October 2003 issue of Microgram Bulletin, and should be mailed to the Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Attention: Pam Smith or Jennifer Kerlavage) at: 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166. For additional information, call 703 668-3337.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Broward County Sheriff=s Office (BSO) (Third and Final Posting)

Position: Crime Laboratory Manager

Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Salary Range: To Be Determined.

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Duties: This position directs, administers and manages all forensic services functions for the BSO. Critical functions under charge include the Crime Laboratory, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), and Latent Identification. Employees in this classification maintain responsibility for the direction, and management of personnel engaged in latent and ten-print identification, audio/video enhancements, quality control/quality assurance, DNA analysis, firearms and tool mark identification, forensic chemistry, questioned documents examination, and trace evidence analysis.

Qualifications: A Master's degree in chemistry, biology, or another physical science is required; a Ph.D. is preferred. The position also requires ten years experience that includes advanced forensic chemistry, biology or criminalistics preferably in a large national, state or regional laboratory. Thorough knowledge of DNA processing and American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) certification required; certification by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) preferred. Experience in a managerial capacity with responsibility for administrative aspects of the work strongly desired.

Application Procedures: You may view a detailed job description, download an application or apply on-line at: www.sheriff.org. A completed application and accompanying resume will also be accepted by mail: Broward Sheriff's Office, Human Resources Bureau, 2601 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.

EOE M/F/D/V DFWP

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2. Ohio University (Third and Final Posting)

Position: Assistant/Associate Professor of Forensic Chemistry

Location: Athens, Ohio

Salary: [Not Listed]

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Duties: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry invites applications for a tenure-track position as an assistant/associate professor of forensic chemistry. We seek a chemist with postdoctoral or related experience and a research interest in forensic chemistry or related fields (toxicology, DNA typing, homeland security, etc.)

General Requirements: The successful applicant will be expected to have a Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field, and to establish a vigorous research program that will attract external funding. Candidates should be prepared to teach general chemistry as well as courses in their area of specialization at both the undergraduate and graduate (M.S. and Ph. D.) levels.

Application Procedure: Submit a curriculum vita, a research plan, a statement of teaching philosophy, and arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation sent to: Chair, Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clippinger Laboratories, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979. Review of applications will begin on September 22, and will continue until the position is filled. Further information on the College of Arts and Sciences can be viewed at http://www.cas.ohiou.edu and on the position and the department at http://www.chem.ohiou.edu Minority and female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Ohio University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer.

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3. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Second and Final Posting)

Position: Laboratory Chief

Location: Walnut Creek, California (Contra Costa County, San Francisco area)

Salary: $101,351 to $143,500, dependent on qualifications.

Application Deadline: November 25, 2003

Duties and General Requirements: The successful applicant should possess a B.S. degree in chemistry or other physical science. The position also requires passage of a background investigation and a top-secret clearance. The applicant will be measured against the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

* Knowledge of the forensic sciences and their application to law enforcement programs. (Prior experience supporting explosives, fire debris, trace evidence and/or firearm enforcement programs is desirable, but not required.)

* Knowledge of the theory and practice of management and the ability to manage people, programs and the resources of a laboratory.

* Ability to independently identify and solve problems.

* Ability to represent ATF at all levels, including internationally; and to work with others to accomplish goals, routinely dealing with representatives from other venues with conflicting priorities.

* Ability to communicate effectively in both scientific and managerial arenas, verbally and in writing.

Application Procedure: The full vacancy announcement (DPO-A03-027) and application materials may be found at: http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/summary.asp?OPMControl=110767

Relocation expenses may be provided.

NOTE!: Due to problems in the personnel office, anyone who has previously applied for this position is advised to resubmit their application!

 

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COMPUTER CORNER
#176
Measuring Employee Performance by: Michael J. Phelan
DEA Digital Evidence Laboratory


Fair and effective measurement of employee performance is an essential function of management. Formal performance measures articulate productivity norms and quality expectations. In forensic laboratories, performance measures are particularly important if there are large examination backlogs (as is typically the case at the present time). Large backlogs foment a crisis attitude, and can easily lead to rushed examinations, cursory reviews, and eventually acceptance of substandard work. Even without such problems, however, there is always the requirement to determine that the examiner's work product is thorough and meets the laboratory's standards with regard to sufficiency of examination.

The subdiscipline of digital evidence, while still relatively new to the forensic science community, shares a strong interest in developing performance criteria that are accurate, easy to implement, and encompass both qualitative and quantitative measures.

Qualitative Measures

Qualitative measurement of an examiner's digital evidence examination can be assessed on two levels: Means and Ends. First, the interim tasks (means) that are common to all examination activities can be reduced to a checklist and monitored. The list should include interim work product assessments that are part of the examiner's case notes. Examples of this type of qualitative measurement could include questions such as: Is the case folder properly organized (yes/no)?; Are the laboratory's standard forms thoroughly completed (yes/no)?; and Are there any factual errors such as incorrect serial numbers, computer/hard drive make and model information, or case number (yes/no)?

DEA has implemented an examination report checklist to document examiner's performance on each report of examination submitted for technical review. The use of clear evaluation criteria that can be answered with a simple yes or no answer has been accepted by the laboratory staff as both reasonable and objective.

However, a full qualitative measure of examiner performance must include an assessment of the end product. Inevitably, this part of the performance measurement process is subjective. Nonetheless, evaluation of an examiner's overall performance needs to be conducted. Ideally, such evaluations are conducted using published standards that are contained in the laboratory's standard operating procedures or quality assurance manual. Basic ends type evaluation criteria should include factors such as: Thoroughness of the examination effort, an evaluation of the examination effort based upon the scope of the search warrant, and an understanding of the investigative information needs of the case. In most instances, this type of performance measure is best provided by supervisory laboratory management that is/are directly involved with the case management decisions regarding the examiner's level of effort.

Quantitative Measures

Quantitative measurements in a digital evidence laboratory can be exceedingly complex. The goal of all quantitative measures should be to identify measurement criteria that accurately reflect examiner work effort as well as productivity. The former is a measurement of resource inputs, such as examiner time, while the latter characterizes examination output, such as number of hard drives searched.

Comparison of qualitative measures of examiner performance is possible only when the examination activities are similar. For example, all DEA digital evidence examiners can be compared to one another because they all perform highly similar activities, i.e., examination of computers seized in drug cases, which are analyzed according to the same laboratory operating procedures. In contrast, however, many state crime laboratories may have their examiners performing a wide variety of digital evidence examinations. In such cases, the scope of examination will significantly differ. For example, child exploitation, fraud, computer hacking, intellectual property theft, and capital crimes such as murder or kidnapping, will each have unique aspects which will require differing amount of examiner time. This is a proverbial "apples and oranges" comparison problem.

DEA has measured its examiner's time input and exhibit completion rate for the last several years. The average DEA examiner analyzing drug cases utilizes 55 - 57% of their time performing evidence examination work. Another 10% of the average examiner's time is spent in performing other essential enforcement related activities such providing on-site computer backup support to DEA investigative personnel, or providing court testimony. Collection of laboratory staff work hour activity facilitates assessment of how much work each individual examiner is performing. However, care must be taken to account for important collateral duty assignments that may impact on evidence examination time. Tasks such as method validation or technical training are legitimate time-consuming activities, especially for senior staffers. Nonetheless, it is relatively straightforward for any individual examiner's work hour allocation to be assessed by comparing an individual's performance against the laboratory average.

Examiner output can be measured using the same technique. DEA has found that the average digital evidence exhibit (consisting of a computer hard drive, box of diskettes, zip disks, CDs and alike) takes approximately 37 work hours to examine. This average number has proven to be extremely stable over the last two years despite larger hard drive capacities encountered, because of the concurrent use of faster/better examination hardware and software. Utilizing a laboratory management information system (LIMS) to collect data permits individual examiner data to be compared to the laboratory average. Individual assignments can vary significantly and the amount of work hours expended will vary commensurately. For example, the time needed to process a box of 10 diskettes is minimal compared to the recovery of data from a network server. However, if all assignments are more or less distributed equally over time, then quantitative differences in examiner output can be discerned.

The collection of both qualitative and quantitative data is integral to effective examiner performance measurement. A LIMS must be in place to track both resource inputs and work product outputs. It is important that comparisons among digital evidence examiners be fairly derived, and that measurable differences in performance be assessed for significance. All assessments must account for examiner collateral duty assignments, experience level, and training, before any substantive conclusions are drawn. Nonetheless, performance is measurable, and is essential for effective examiner assessment, for laboratory workload evaluation, and for budget planning purposes.

Questions or comments?

e-mail: mphelan@erols.com