Evidence Collection and Packaging

Please follow the directions below for collecting and packaging evidence for DNA testing at Orchid Cellmark. If you have any questions or need clarification on the instructions, please contact customer service at forensicservices@orchid.com or call 1-800-USA-LABS (872-5227).

1. Use clean latex gloves for collecting each item of evidence. It is recommended to change gloves between the handling of different items of evidence.
   
2. Each item of evidence must be packaged separately.
   
3. Bloodstains, semen stains, and other types of stains must be thoroughly air-dried and packaged in sealed paper envelopes or paper bags. For proper chain of custody, all packages must be marked with case number, item numbers, and date, and must be initialed across the seals.
   
4. If stains must be transferred from an unmovable surface (such as a window or sidewalk), sterile cotton swabs and distilled water may be used.
• Photograph the surface with a ruler before swabbing. Moisten the swab with water and shake the swab to remove the excess water.
  
• Rub the stained area with the moist swab until all of the stain is transferred to the swab. If one swab is insufficient to collect all the stain, use additional moist swabs to collect all of the stain.
  
• Two control swabs may also be collected as controls for other serological tests:
  (Swab 1) Swab an unstained area adjacent to the stained area using a moist swab.
  (Swab 2) Provide a moist swab with nothing else on it but the water used in the collection process.
  
• Prepare properly marked envelopes (such as coin envelopes) or paper containers for the swabs.
  
• Air dry the swabs without permitting the swabs to touch one another. If time requires, the swabs may be placed still moist in the envelopes until they can be transported to a place where they can be properly air dried. (This is why paper containers are preferred and glass or plastic containers should be avoided. Paper containers allow moisture to escape to prevent bacterial degradation of the DNA.)
  
• Place swabs in appropriate separate paper containers, properly marked for identification.
  
• Scraping dried stains should only be used instead of swabbing if the surface is perfectly smooth and the scraping will result in almost no loss of material. For example, a stain on a smooth vertical surface can be collected (after photographing with a ruler in the picture) by folding a clean sheet of paper in half and taping the top edge of the paper to the surface directly beneath the stain. With a sterile scalpel blade or unused single-edged razor blade, the stain can be scraped into the fold in the paper. Then carefully remove the paper from the surface, remove the tape, fold the paper into a packet, seal with evidence tape and initial properly.
  
5. Evidence which is incapable of drying such as pieces of tissue, organ, bone, liquid urine, or other biological material, should be packaged separately in an air tight container, sealed and marked properly for identification, and immediately frozen and kept stored frozen until shipment. Never use formalin or formaldehyde to preserve any biological evidence because these chemicals degrade DNA.
   
6. Known standard blood samples from deceased individuals should be transferred by syringe into a purple top tube (contains EDTA), properly marked for identification, placed in a paper container, properly marked and sealed with evidence tape for proper chain of custody, and stored refrigerated until shipping. To avoid breakage, do not freeze. Additional packaging will be needed for protection from breakage during shipping. (See Shipment information)
   
7. Known standard blood samples from living persons should be drawn in purple top tubes, properly marked for identification, placed in a paper container, properly marked and sealed with evidence tape for proper chain of custody, and stored refrigerated until shipping. To avoid breakage, do not freeze. Additional packaging will be needed for protection from breakage during shipping. (See Shipment information) Dried blood standards are also acceptable.
   
8. Known standard blood samples (either liquid or dried stains) from persons diagnosed with HIV or hepatitis should be shipped in special containers clearly marked on the exterior that they contain HIV or Hepatitis infected blood. (See Shipment information)