Guidelines for Forensic Specimen Collection

Proper blood collection techniques should be followed to minimize health risk to subject and collector. Gloves should be worn at all times during the collection process. Venipuncture collection must be observed by the police officer.

• Identify the subject correctly and obtain consent.
• Apply the tourniquet 3-4 inches above the selected puncture site. Do not place too tightly or leave on more than 2 minutes.
• Choose a collection site. The most common sites are the veins in the antecubital space of the arms.
• Use Povidone-Iodine prep pad to cleanse skin at collection site. If prep pad is unavailable, cleanse skin with gauze and a soap/water solution. When making the soap/water solution, use a soap that does not contain any alcohol.
• Draw blood with Vacutainer ® needle. To prevent loss of alcohol, the collection tube should be filled, if possible, to a level that minimizes the air space above the specimen.
• Add sample to gray top blood tube by Vacutainer® method. Do not remove stoppers.
• To insure proper mixing of the anticoagulants, slowly invert the tubes completely at least five times. Do not shake vigorously.
• Apply a sterile bandage to the site.
• Label specimen tubes and obtain officer’s initials on the tube(s).
• Place an evidence seal across the top the tube and initial.
• Properly dispose of needle, needle holder, and gauze. Do not discard in an area where these items could contaminate unused blood collection equipment. Do not ship needles or needle holder with the specimen.
• Under the officer’s direction, complete the DUI Toxicology Analysis Request Form.

13. Prepare the specimens for submission per BFT instructions.

The Bureau of Forensic Toxicology provides these guidelines as recommendations for phlebotomists and blood technicians collecting specimens for submission to the laboratory. Each agency is responsible for ensuring appropriate standards are employed by the personnel conducting sample collection.