Using this method would it simply be:

DbDataSourceItem dsItem = DataLayer.DataSources[0];
DbCommand cmd = dsItem.CreateBlankDbCommand();
cmd.CommandText = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM QDetails WHERE ItemID = @itemID";
cmd.Parameters.Add("@itemID");
cmd.Parameters["@itemID"].Value = ItemID;

Does not specifying the type for the parameter affect the speed? I know you have to give up something for the flexability but I guess what I am asking is it slower by a factor of 1-5ms or 20 - 30 time longer. I just want to know for future reference if there is a process that needs to be "as fast as posible". Thanks for the feedback.