Tutorial on method verification: A routine method for the determination of heroin

Method verification is crucial in ensuring that a routine quantitative method remains fit for analysis. Verification is less comprehensive than validation because fewer aspects are covered. In addition, the aspects to be verified must have a significant impact on the analytical readings. In this paper, a verification process is presented in the form of tutorial in order to aid narcotics laboratories in performing this task in a more competent manner. Although heroin is used as an example in this tutorial, the overall procedure can be extended to other drug compounds as well. The procedure presented here, however, serves as a minimum requirement. Additional aspects should be included to ensure that the overall verification process is able to meet the criteria set by the clients as well as the legal practitioners.