Submission Tips
&
Common Problem Areas
TSgt Stephanie Washington
stephanie.washington@afip.osd.mil
301-319-0100
Post-Mortem and Human Performance Testing Laboratory
Performs testing for medical examiner autopsies, military aircraft,
ground and sea mishaps, military criminal investigations, legal
alcohol determinations, fitness-for-duty inquiries, special request
drug testing and selected forensic cases of national interest.
Toxicological Report TAT
Standard - 8 days
Average - 2.4 days
Industry TAT can range from 2 weeks to 4 months
Includes: Aircraft, Ship and Ground Incidents
Specimens
• 2 NaF blood tubes (14 mL total)
• 1-2 EDTA blood tubes (7 mL total)
• 50-70 mL of Urine (screw top shipping container)
Testing
• Carbon Monoxide
• Ethanol
• Drugs of Abuse
- Investigates often serve as a “catch all” category
- Provide expertise as appropriate to assist agents during
the collection and labeling process (CID, NCIS, OSI)
Specimens
• 2-3 NaF blood tubes (14 -21 mL total)
• 50-70 mL of Urine (screw top shipping container)
Testing
• Ethanol / Volatiles
• Drugs of Abuse
• Prescription Drugs
(Special Testing Available Upon Request)
Includes: Post-Mortem and Aircraft Fatalities
Specimens
Blood, Urine, Vitreous, Bile, Gastric Contents, Liver,
Lung, Brain, Adipose, Heart and/or Muscle
Testing
Volatiles
Drugs of Abuse
Basic Drug Screen
*Acetaminophen & Salicylate
**Carbon Monoxide
**Cyanide
** Suicide Cases
Kidney,
• Direct urine observation during collection is recommended at the unit level
- we don’t need documentation
- sample would not be rejected
• Tamper-resistant tape is not required; often this can obscure/hide info
• Over-packaging defeats the point and serves no real purpose
• Do not send separator gel or clot tubes
• Specimens listed are the minimum amounts…we will work with what we get
• Melendez-Diaz supreme court ruling…you could be summoned to court
• Provide complete identification information when labeling specimens
- use full legal name and full SSN
- be consistent
• If possible don’t allow service member to label their own samples
- potential for self-sabotage --- purposeful errors, etc
• Be sure to properly mix and label specimens
• Write legibly on chain-of-custody
SINGLE CASE / PERSON
- Item 1 (blood) with absorbent material sealed in bag
- Item 2 (urine) with absorbent material sealed in bag
- Item 3 (chain-of-custody) sealed in bag
- Package all three sealed items together in a larger bag
- Send at refrigerated temperature
Urine Specimen Bottles
NSN 6640-00-165-5778
Pooled leaking urine
Try to use only plastic tubes…glass
vials often break during transit
See TOX guidelines for specifics on packaging Post-Mortem cases
Lack of absorbent material
1323 custody form not
packaged in separate bag
• Package 1323 inside box with sample not under shipping label(s)
- it can easily get sliced or tossed when opening package
• Please send BLD & URN in the same box and use the same 1323
- sending 2 forms and 2 boxes is unnecessary and can cause confusion
SAMPLE
1323
Mailing
Address
Discrepancy
• make sure address is
accurate and complete
• if overseas be sure to use
the proper APO AE /
FPO AP instead of the
local postal code
• list requestor’s e-mail
in addition to physical
address for faster results
“Daniel” on 1323
and
“Danny” on samples
is not effective labeling
Sample Identification
- use comma as directed
to avoid name order
confusion
If possible:
- don’t allow agents to
label with only initials
or evidence number
Example:
William, Thomas
vs.
Thomas, William
- don’t hand over an
unlabeled sample
Medication History
- most critical in
investigative cases
- may apply to drug(s)
found at the scene
Sample Receipt - Evidence List
- list often left blank
or mismatched
Exception to the Rule:
- separate events may
require multiple collections
on same day
• Please send BLD & URN in the same box and use the same 1323
- sending 2 forms and 2 boxes is unnecessary and can cause confusion
Importance of Comments
- answer the “what happened?” question
- provide specific details will help direct
appropriate testing
- please don’t leave blank
#1 - too vague
#2 - specification directs appropriate testing
#3 - mention of UAV would omit CO testing
- service member
should not start the
custody form
- it must be the
person who takes
control of the
sample once it’s
collected.
- you do not need
them to sign their
BLD over to you
Chain of
Custody
Close-up
- accounting for
shift change is
unnecessary if the
sample isn’t handled
- don’t line out
unused lines
Forensic Toxicology Case Submission Address
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
ATTN: Division of Forensic Toxicology
Building 54
6825 16th Street, N.W
Washington, DC 20306-6000
http://www.afip.org/consultation/AFMES/operations/fortox.html
Email: fortox@afip.osd.mil
Phone (0700-1600 EST): 301-319-0100
After Hours: 301-319-0000