Evidential Drug Identification Testing (EDIT) is a process that uses Home Office approved drug testing kits and a Crown Prosecution Service staged reporting process.

EDIT enables appropriately trained police staff to test substances found on people arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug for their own use. The tests are conducted within the police station and can be used to detect heroin, morphine, amphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine.

There are significant benefits expected from the use of EDIT, including reduced forensic analysis costs, savings in police officer and custody staff time, reductions in the numbers of 'bailed to returns' and 'failed to returns' and increased sanction detections.

Following successful pilots in the Metropolitan Police, Merseyside and Nottinghamshire, the NPIA are now providing support to roll EDIT out nationally.

The project team is working with EDIT training providers to co-ordinate the provision of training to all police forces and are working with police forces to determine national best practice to assist with force implementation.

Strategic policing links:

Increased performance.

Improvements expected from the use of EDIT:

• Efficient decision making, reduced forensic costs
• Savings in officer time
• Sharing and understanding best practice
• Improved sanctioned detections.

Planned delivery:

Training and implementation of EDIT commenced in March 2009 and a best practice guide will be available late 2009.

For further information on EDIT, email us.