Blood samples should be collected in grey top tubes (or equivalent) containing 10% potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride to preserve the samples. The OSBI provides grey top tubes and/or blood vials containing these preservatives to customers (OSBI Blood Specimen Collection Kit or Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault Kits). Hospital or clinical specimens containing serum or plasma collected pursuant to medical treatment may also be submitted. NOTE: Serum/plasma ethanol concentrations are higher than corresponding whole blood concentrations.
The Toxicology Lab will also analyze urine (drug-facilitated sexual assaults) and unknown liquids believed to contain alcohol (alcoholic beverage content).