This paper discusses the preparation to assess the performance of heroin and cocaine vapor/particle detection systems. Equipment available commercially and field prototype system equipment will be assessed. Breadboard or brassboard devices or prototype modules will not be assessed. The assessment comprises a performance specifications verification and target response and a controlled field test for equipment available commercially only. Special purpose test procedures, tools, and detection targets were developed to ensure the reproducibility and control of all assessment tests. The sampling equipment parameters and their relative importance and the test procedures and objectives were defined and designed to maximize the information obtained within the test constraints. Test results will be obtained for standardized fundamental representative targets, independent of detection strategy, which can be correlated to a wide range of applications by the potential users. United States Customs Service will not form conclusions regarding the equipment performance for specific applications. It is anticipated the utility of the assessment program will be in availing equipment standardized test results to law enforcement agencies to examine the compatibility of the equipment performance with their requirements, applications, and detection strategy.
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