Evidence Toxicology ASCL

No. The ASCL asks that swabs be air-dried when possible before repackaging. If you use a swab dryer, guard against cross-contamination between swabs.

• • • No. As long as they are packaged in breathable paper. NOT plastic.

• • • The swabs are what expire rather than the whole kit. If you are able to replace the swabs inside with swabs that are in date you can still use the box and envelopes.

• • • The nurse collecting the kit needs to fill out the sticker on the back of the kit to help with identifying the proper jurisdiction for the investigating agency.

No. Placing them loosely inside the provided envelopes is perfectly fine.

You may, but please keep in mind that the ASCL is limited in the quantity of body site collections that they can initially process per kit, so if additional anatomical sites in close proximity are being collected, the lab encourages combining those samples into one envelope (e.g. ASCL asks for Vaginal Swabs. If cervical and vaginal vault swabs are also collected, they can all be placed in the vaginal swabs envelope as “vaginal swabs.”)

If you add swabs from other body sites (e.g. breast swabs), ensure that the sealed swab sleeves or additional envelopes that you add are clearly marked and sealed properly.

Keep in mind that separate, additional swabs require justification as to the specific reason for their collection before they would be considered for processing at the ASCL. This info may be written directly on the envelope or sleeve OR within the medical paperwork that will be placed in the kit.

After collecting all other samples in the kit, have the patient orally rinse with water and/or brush their teeth, if possible. Collect buccal swabs. You can either cross out “Known Blood Sample” on the provided envelope and write in “Buccal Swabs” to use that envelope or label a separate one for this purpose.

These may be used as the patient’s known DNA sample by the ASCL if there is clear hospital/center documentation that significant time has passed after collecting the questioned oral swabs (in the provided oral swab env.) and/or oral rinsing or brushing has occurred at the hospital/center.

Note: Patient-reported hygiene activities do not qualify the sample. 

Tampons may be collected and placed inside a sealed, labeled envelope. Do not seal in specimen cups or airtight containers to prevent mold from forming. If the item is particularly saturated, it can be loosely wrapped in exam paper to prevent body fluids from leaking through the envelope. 

Note: It is helpful (but not required) to ask if the tampon was placed before or after the sexual assault. This information can be written directly on the envelope.

Ask the patient if the cup was in place during the incident or inserted afterward and document this information.

 Collect the item, loosely wrapped in exam paper, and place in a paper evidence bag or envelope.

Note: Excess fluids (if present) may be collected on swab(s) as necessary and those swab(s) can be packaged within the same envelope or bag.  

Yes. Body fluids can be identified by the ASCL even within mixtures of other body fluids or biological material

Generally speaking, no.

Swabbing cleaned skin will not result in helpful laboratory testing. The focus should be on internal body site sampling using the provided kit envelopes as well as collecting underwear/clothing worn or brought to the examination by the patient.

Yes, in small amounts and if water-based.

If they cannot be air-dried, roll each item loosely in exam paper and place in brown paper bag(s), which are breathable. Plastic should never be used to package any evidence.

Still collect.

Drainage of body fluids or transfer of foreign skin cells may be present on the fabric. It is helpful to mark the underwear bag as “second pair worn after incident” or something similar.

If they separately bring in a bag of clothing from the incident, that bag can be marked accordingly as well- (e.g. "clothing worn during/immediately after incident")