Forensic Toxicology

Submission of Specimens

Evidence may be submitted to the Toxicology Discipline in person or by common carrier such as the US Postal Service. The Department distributes two types of biological specimens kits (antemortem and postmortem), each containing appropriate tubes, needles, seals, documentation, instructions and address labels. Each specimen should be individually labeled with the name of the subject/suspect, collector, times and dates as indicated on the container labels or seals. Each specimen should be individually sealed. Submission documentation (Toxicological Analysis Request Form DFS-59) is in a pouch attached to each kit and should be sufficiently completed to allow the laboratory to determine the nature of the case and the most appropriate analyses to conduct. Completed documentation should be re-inserted into the pouch. Kits should be sealed and initialed then submitted to the laboratory.

By submitting specimens, the investigating agency acknowledges that the Toxicology Discipline will conduct examinations at its discretion pursuant to current policies, procedures and capabilities and the nature of the case as determined from information provided by the submitter.  The investigating agency further acknowledges that specimen volume, condition and relevance may limit the number or types of examinations which may be conducted and that whereas the Toxicology Discipline and the Department will exercise all due diligence to preserve submitted materials, such are biological in nature and, therefore, perishable.

Biological Specimens kit

Submission of Antemortem Specimens (e.g. DUI cases)

Download antemortem specimens kit instructions

The antemortem kit is intended for collection of specimens from live subjects and is appropriate for submission of specimens in DUI investigations. This kit contains two 10-mL gray-stopper blood collection tubes and one 100-mL plastic urine cup. The kit also contains a needle, alcohol-free cleansing wipes and seals. The tubes contain sodium fluoride preservative and potassium oxalate anticoagulant. Two completely-filled tubes are recommended for a complete scope of analyses. Urine collection is optional, but highly recommended, especially when gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) is suspected or there is a delay of more than several hours in collecting the specimens.

Antemortem (DUI) kits bear an expiration date which is intended to relate to the vacuum within the blood collection tubes. Use of expired tubes will not invalidate findings determined with these specimens; however, vacuum within the tubes may be reduced, which may reduce the volume of specimen collected and, accordingly, limit the scope of analyses which may be conducted. It is recommended that expired tubes be replaced with similar tubes from hospital stock. Kits are so marked.

Antemortem (DUI) kit identification and expiration	Antemortem (DUI) kit expiration explanation	Antemortem (DUI) kit contents

Properly sealed blood tube	Low volume specimen	Properly packaged antemortem (DUI) kit
Properly sealed kit

Submission of Postmortem Specimens (death cases)

Download postmortem specimens kit instructions

A postmortem kit is intended for Coroners for collection of specimens from deceased subjects. This kit contains two 30-mL screw-cap containers, one for blood and the other for urine. The kit also contains a collection needle and syringe and seals. Both containers should be completely filled with the respective specimens for a complete scope of analyses.

Postmortem kit identification	Postmortem kit needle  and syringe	Postmortem kit containers

Postmortem kit contents	Properly sealed postmortem specimens