Frequently Asked Questions - Forensic Toxicology

Storage of specimens shall be accomplished in such manner to uphold the identity and integrity of specimens, maintain chain of custody, exclude tampering with and unauthorized access to or exchange or loss of specimens, and provide requisite security for evidentiary purposes.  Refrigeration of biological samples is recommended.

Contact the Criminalist who issued the report.

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).

Yes, the OSBI Toxicology Lab is accredited by the American National Standards Institute National Accreditation Board (ANAB). Learn about the OSBI Forensic Science Center lab accreditation.

OSBI Blood Specimen Collection Kits are available to law enforcement agencies in the State of Oklahoma.  Drug 

Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) kits are also available for hospitals. 

Contact information and request form on obtaining blood kits or DFSA kits.  

The defendant’s retention specimen will be retained for 60 days from the date of collection in accordance with Title 47 O.S. § 752. Remaining specimens involving impaired driving may be destroyed after 4 months from the date received by the OSBI.

You or your attorney may request an independent test of your blood sample at your own expense. You are responsible for making all necessary arrangements for the independent testing of your sample.

Click here for the form to request independent testing of your blood sample.

For defense attorney's requesting independent testing of their client's blood sample, please fill out the letter template here, print the letter template on your firm's official letterhead and mail to:

Oklahoma State Bureau of investigation
Attn: Toxicology Unit
800 E. 2nd Street
Edmond, OK 73034

The request can also be faxed to 405-330-6974 or emailed to [email protected].

You or your attorney can contact the District Attorney in the county of offense, the Department of Public Safety, or you may send a letter to the OSBI requesting your blood test results. Click here for the form to request a copy of your blood test results.
For defense attorney's requesting the blood test results for their client, please fill out the letter template here, print the letter template on your firm's official letterhead and mail to:

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Toxicology Unit
800 E. 2nd Street
Edmond, OK 73034

The request can also be faxed to 405-330-6974 or emailed to [email protected].