New Psychoactive substances (NPS): results of a questionnaire on the definition of NPS, proposals to establish a forensic centre for excellence, and improving data collection and information sharing
Results of a questionnaire on the definition of new psychoactive substances, proposals to establish a forensic centre for excellence, and improving data collection and information sharing
6. Additional questions on identifying NPS for the purposes of prosecution
As well as the questions which were asked of all stakeholders, a series of additional questions were asked of stakeholders within Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Prison Service, Local Authority Trading Standards Services, NHS Emergency Department staff and Border Force.
6.1 Organisations that anticipate submitting samples for identification
These stakeholders were asked whether they would anticipate submitting samples for forensic testing. Out of 26 responses, seven said yes (enforcement and health stakeholders). Eleven said no (individuals, health and academic stakeholders), and eight did not know (individual and enforcement stakeholders) (Figure 11).
Figure 11: Would you anticipate submitting samples to a Centre for Excellence?
6.2 Type and quantities of samples
Respondents anticipated submitting both drug samples and biological samples (including blood or plasma), mostly in small quantities, for forensic testing and identification. The exception to this was the National Poisons Information Service, where larger quantities were expected, potentially running in to "hundreds of samples per year". Border Force and the Scottish Prison Service were not able to estimate quantities, responding "unknown" or "various". Table 3 provides further details of the individual responses.
Table 3: Types of samples that may be submitted for forensic testing by Scottish stakeholders [13](includes responses from those who anticipated submitting samples and those who responded 'don't know')
| Organisation/Individual | Type of sample | Anticipated frequency | Anticipated quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Border Force | Samples detected at the border, this can be in varying sizes | On average we seize quantities of NPS once every month | Various quantities |
| Forensic Toxicology Service, University of Glasgow | Sometimes we get bulk drugs to analyse from the scene of a death which SPA have no intention of analysing. It would be useful if these were routinely tested by SPA and information communicated to us while we are investigating the death | No response | No response |
| National Poisons Information Service | Blood or plasma samples together - where possible - with linked NPS packets | Weekly or every two weeks | Hundreds of samples per year - well over 1000 patients present to NHS Lothian emergency departments every year |
| Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland | Samples from seizures and/or test purchases | Unknown | Unknown |
| Scottish Prisons Service | Drug seizures | Unknown | Unknown, further work with intelligence units will be required to provide estimated sample submissions based on current and previous intelligence gathering |
| Dumfries and Galloway ADP | Samples handed in through drug treatment agencies | As required, unlikely to be more than once per month | Very small, street quantities |
| NHS Forth Valley | Both drug samples and biological specimens | Fortnightly to monthly | Small volumes |
| Perth and Kinross Council | Small quantities of individual 'retail' packages | Unknown as it will depend on the NPS market after the introduction of the Bill. | Probably a minimum of 1.5g to a maximum of 10g |
6.3 Access to reference standards
Stakeholders within Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Prison Service, Local Authority Trading Standards Services, NHS Emergency Department staff and Border Force were also asked about access to reference standards. Twelve respondents said they would benefit from accessing reference standards. Nine did not know, and three said no (Figure 12).
Figure 12: Would you benefit from accessing reference standards held by a Centre for Excellence?
Of the 12 respondents who said they would benefit from accessing reference standards, 11 provided more detail. The key benefits that were provided are summarised below:
- To enable initial testing of toxicology samples to identify if these are potentially positive (this would be useful even if the reference standards were not certified)
- To complement work to define the nature and characteristics of NPS, including their potential for psychoactivity or addiction
- To assist in the interpretation of post mortem data in drug related deaths
- To benefit forensic pathology and toxicology work
- To build an evidence base for future enforcement action.
Contact
Email: Isla Wallace
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