The UK Government is targeting motorists suspected of driving whilst under the influence of drugs as part of its Road Safety Strategy and its Campaign Against Drugs. In response, the police service has adapted Standardised Field Sobriety Tests and Drug Recognition Examinations for use in the UK and introduced Field Impairment Testing (FIT). The cost of the associated analytical work has hitherto been an obstacle to widespread adoption of FIT, but the Forensic Science Service has introduced a service that is structured to allow a graded response fitted to the requirements of each case. By using a modular structure, development was simplified and the service, which can process large numbers of samples quickly and cost effectively, can be easily extended. Analysis of samples takes place in two stages, an initial enzyme immunoassay screen for a panel of common drugs of abuse followed by solid phase extraction, formation of a derivative and confirmation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Much of the development work that was required was concerned with adapting these techniques for the analysis of blood samples using automated equipment. For straightforward drug driving cases it is normal practice to confirm the presence of a single drug. When poly-drug use shows up there is a decision tree for selection of the drug to be confirmed. If required, the presence of the other drugs can also be confirmed. In a homicide all drugs detected are confirmed as a matter of course. A similar graded response is adopted for reporting the results. The streamlined service was introduced in stages, starting on 1 January 2001. The new service has led to a substantial reduction in both cost and turn round time. Since it was introduced demand for the new service has also climbed steadily confirming that it met a need from the criminal justice system. (Author/publisher) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.
Samenvatting