During a hearing regarding the drug use of New Zealand jockey Lisa Cropp before the country’s Judicial Control Authority, forensic scientist and toxicology expert Dr. Ronald Couch told the panel that Cropp would have been "dead or at least unconscious" if the reported level of methamphetamine in her system recorded by a positive test was accurate.
Cropp, a Kiwi multiple premiership winner, was charged after she tested positive for methamphetamine at Te Rapa race course in May 2005.
The New Zealand Racing Authority alleges Cropp attempted to contaminate her urine because she knew it would test positive for methamphetamine. Cropp denies doing anything illegal--a stand she still takes to this day.
Cropp has unsuccessfully challenged the legality of the test through the courts the past three years. But Crouch’s testimony has caused some to rethink.
“I have tested 500 samples over the past three years and have reviewed both the methods used and the results in Cropp's case,” said Crouch. “During that time, the highest reading for methamphetamine I had seen had been 8,300 nanograms-per-millilitre; however Cropp's sample had returned a level of 20,000 to 30,000 nanograms-per-millilitre.”
Crouch also claimed that if he had been involved in testing Cropp's sample, he would not have issued the drug testing certificate as he did not consider it valid.
No decision by the tribunal has been made regarding a new status of Cropp’s case.
