Chapter 9 Procedure for drawing samples

Chapter 9
Procedure for drawing samples of precursor chemicals for lab testing

· Take precautions: Serial number all packages and keep in lots for sampling. Samples should be drawn on the spot of recovery at lease in duplicate in the presence of search witnesses and the persons from whose possession the precursor chemicals is recovered and a mention to this effect should b e made in the record of seizure or recovery memo. Samples may be drawn in triplicate. more than two sets of samples may be required to meet unforeseen eventualities in some cases
· The size of each sample should be sufficient for carrying out the chemical analysis and also larger than any minimum prescribed in the procedure laid down. Similar size samples should be drawn as duplicate and triplicate samples. The seized precursor chemicals in the packages containers should be mixed well to make it homogeneous and representative before drawing the samples
· If the seizure is from a single package container one sample in duplicate or triplicate should be drawn. If the seized chemical is in more than one container it is advisable to draw one sample from each package container
· When the packages containers seized together are of identical size weight bearing identical markings and the contents of each package give identical results in field test, conclusively indicating that the packages are identical in all respects the packages may be carefully bunched in lots of 10 each. For each such lot one set of sample may be drawn.
· Shield drawing sample from a lot , it must be ensured that representative sample of equal quantity is taken from each package container of that lot and mixed together to make a composite whole from which samples are drawn for that lot
· Samples should be kept in containers suitable for storing the specific precursor chemicals. It should be noted that some chemicals are highly corrosive and hence need specific packaging
· The container in which sample is kept should have air tight caps should be kept in hear sealed plastic bags, as it is convenient and safe. Where hear sealing may ignite the chemical it should be avoided. The plastic bag containing the container in which sample is kept should be kept in a paper envelope. Which may be sealed properly. Such sealed envelope may be marked as original duplicate triplicate.
· The envelopes should also have the serial number of the packages form which the sample had been drawn. The duplicate envelope containing the sample should also have a reference to the latest memo. The seals should be legible .the envelope along with test memos should be kept in another envelope which sold also be sealed and marked secret drug sample test memo’ only the original sample may have o be sent to the lab for test.
· After sampling detailed inventory of such packages should be prepared for being enclosed with the recovery memos. Original wrappers should be preserved of evidentiary purposesSince process of drawing samples also comes up for scrutiny in the trial proceedings before the court the entire proceeding of drawing of samples should be documents in the record of seizure. Which is signed by the persons form whom the recovery is made as well as the witnesses of recovery, this documentary evidence plays a very crucial role in the final decision at which the court arrive in the case. Once seized the police /narcotic officials are responsible for storage and handling of the entire stock till pretrial disposal or after trial disposal as per NDPS act.