Submission of Specimens
Evidence may be submitted to the Toxicology Discipline in person or by common carrier such as the US Postal Service, FedEx, or UPS. Please use a shipping service that provides timely delivery,
tracking and delivery confirmation. Track the package until delivered and contact the carrier immediately if not notified within the estimated delivery time window. Required signature on delivery is encouraged. We do have several instances where shipments by United States Postal Service (USPS) was held by the shipping service for up to 30-60 days. In these instances, there was a delay in receiving the evidence submission resulting in a negative impact on case completion turnaround time.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact
Dr. Curt E. Harper.
The Department distributes three types of biological specimen 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 is to be generated via our ESR system. A submission form must
be completed for each kit submitted to enable the laboratory to determine the nature of the
case and the most appropriate analyses to perform. Kits should be sealed and initialed
then submitted to the laboratory. To support proper collection and submission of biological
evidence, we encourage submitters to follow the instructions from ADFS provided in each
kit.
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.
Quick Links
How to Submit Biological Specimen Kit(s) for Testing
ADFS now uses an online Evidence Submission and Reporting (ESR) application for the evidence submission process. The ESR application provides ADFS customers with:
- Secure access to your ESR application account anytime, anywhere;
- The ability to complete submission forms online allowing for ease of intake at the ADFS facility; and
- Easy download of completed reports and receipts.
Evidence submissions should use ESR to generate a barcoded iLIMS Submission Form which will allow for the ease of intake at the facility while providing customers with a more efficient submission process. The ESR application can be accessed via the ADFS Portal. The submission form is essential for ensuring accurate toxicology testing and reporting.
Please contact your local forensic laboratory for more information on account registration and access or send us an email.
DUI Cases
The DUI kit is intended for collection of specimens from living subjects and is appropriate for submission of specimens in DUI investigations.
The old kits (prior to July 2019) contain 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.
The new kits (post-July 2019) contain two 10-mL gray-stopper blood collection
tubes and one Quantisal oral fluid collection device. Please see more information about the oral fluid drug testing program
at Oral Fluid Drug Testing Program.
If you have old kits, please use these before ordering the newly designed kits.
Please click below for Oral Fluid Quantisal Evidentiary/Confirmation Collection Instructions.
Download DUI Specimen Kit Instructions (Form DFS-67O) [Blood + Oral Fluid]
For a more detailed course on the state statutes allowing for roadside and confirmation
testing using oral fluid, collection devices approved for roadside oral fluid screening, use of
the approved devices, and the collection and submission procedures for evidentiary oral
fluid samples using the QuantisalTM Oral Fluid Collection Device, consider enrolling in the
free and self-paced Oral Fluid Testing in DUID Investigations Training Course.
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. Additionally, it is good practice to visibly verify the presence of additive (white powder) prior to using
blood tubes.
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
Coroner Postmortem Specimens (e.g. death cases)
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.
Collecting Vitreous Humor (optional)
Vitreous humor is the clear gel-like fluid located between the lens
and the retina of the eye. In postmortem cases, vitreous can be
sent for toxicology analysis.
Preparation:
- Use a 10 mL Luer-Lok syringe fitted with a sterile safety
needle for the procedure.
- Open a sealed sterile needle package. Do not uncap the
needle until ready to use.
- Attach the needle to the syringe by screwing it on securely.
Collection:
- Insert the needle into the outer (lateral) canthus of the globe of the eye.
- Gently aspirate as much vitreous humor as possible. Repeat for the other eye.
- Combine fluid from both eyes into one properly labeled red stopper tube.
- Label the specimen with identifying information (e.g., name, date, time of collection, specimen type).
- Add the additional specimen type to the submission form.
- The specimen should be stored at a temperature from 1℃ to 8℃.
Needle Safety and Disposal:
- After collection, engage the pink safety cover over the needle using one-handed technique, as per the device’s design.
- Unscrew the needle from the syringe and dispose of it in an approved sharps disposal container.
Coroner Postmortem kit identification
Coroner Postmortem kit contents
Properly sealed coroner postmortem specimens
Submission of Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault Cases
Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assaults Fact Sheet
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault Interview Sheet
The specimens of choice for toxicology in a suspected DFSA case are urine and blood. It is recommended that a urine sample be collected from the victim if less than 120 hours have elapsed since the incident. If possible, one hundred (100) milliliters of urine should be collected in a specimen cup with the preservative sodium fluoride and stored refrigerated. Although most drugs will be undetectable in the blood more than 24 hours after ingestion, blood may prove useful in a DFSA case if collected less than 24 hours after the incident. At least 12 milliliters of blood should be obtained in a grey-top test tube containing the preservative sodium fluoride and the anticoagulant potassium oxalate. The blood should be stored refrigerated.
Child Endangerment Cases
In suspected child endangerment cases involving potential drug exposure, the specimen of choice for toxicological analysis is blood and urine. Blood and urine specimens should be collected from both the child and the parent. Hair samples are not recommended. Each individual must have a separate case file and uniquely labeled specimen tubes to ensure accurate tracking and analysis. When submitting samples for both a parent and child, two separate submission forms must be completed. Ensure that each form includes the corresponding name, date of birth, and relevant case information.
National Center on Forensics
For an overview of each discipline, the types of testing conducted, their evidence acceptance criteria, emerging trends, and challenges posed during testing and analysis consider enrolling in the free, self-paced Essentials of Forensic Science Training by visiting the link below.
National Center on Forensics: Essentials of Forensic Toxicology - OTIDE
2019 Blood Collection Tube Recall
In 2019, Sirchie (the manufacturer of blood specimen kits) issued a recall for kits containing lot numbers 201812048 and 201812051. This recall was placed due to a recall issued by Becton Dickinson (BD) on their Vacutainer Gray Stopper Tubes (10 mL) included in those kits.
The BD recall affected tubes from lot number 8187663, which were found to potentially lack additives (sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate) used to preserve blood samples for alcohol testing.
Sirchie Recall Lot Number: 201812048
Becton Dickison Recall Lot Number: 8187663
To reorder additional biological specimen kits, please use the following links:
Order DUI Kits
Order Postmortem (Coroner) Kits
DFSA Kits/Child Endangerment Kits
References:
Rodda LN, Pearring S, Harper CE, Tiscione NB, Jones AW. Inferences and Legal Considerations Following a Blood Collection Tube Recall. J Anal Toxicol. 2021 Feb 13;45(2):211-214. doi: 10.1093/jat/bkaa056. PMID: 32442269.
Jackson, J., Harper, C. E.; The Effects of Sodium Fluoride on Ethanol Stability in Vacutainer Gray Stopper Tubes. Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Hoover, AL.
ANSI/ASB Best Practices for Specimen Collection and Preservation for Forensic Toxicology, Best Practice Recommendation 156, Ed. 1. 2023.