Kathy Moskowitz Strain

Note: Always keep careful track of the chain of custody of your sample (who have handled it and when).

Blood and Tissue: Since blood and tissue are very sensitive to contamination, always use sterile techniques when collecting samples. This includes latex or nitrile gloves, a hair net, and a mask (if possible). If you do not have gloves, use a ziploc to cover your hand. Avoid alcohol as preservative (both DNA and RNA are degraded by alcohols).

If the blood is wet, use a sterile cotton swab or gauze to "mop up" the blood. Hold the sample until it air dries and place into a paper bag. If the blood is dry and in a small quantity of blood, use sterile water to lightly wet and collect as above. Large quantities of dry blood can be collected by using a sterile razor blade and scraping a much as possible into a sterile envelope.

Place sample into a cool dry area (such as a freezer) as soon as possible. Collect tissue the same way.

When mailing sample for DNA testing, if possible, send the sample frozen in a small insulated cardboard box. Dry and cold is always best for preservation.

Hair: Hair is best collected using sterile tweezers and placing the sample into a plain paper envelope. If tissue or blood is noted at the end of the hair, the sample should be frozen immediately. This is essential and helps keep the bacterial count to a minimum.

Food Remains: There have been several occasions when people found half eaten apples or potatoes with conspicuous tooth marks. For all organic evidence, immediately place into a paper bag and freeze. When being shipped for scientific analysis, place it on dry ice.

Finger, palm or lip prints: Wearing gloves and using wide, clear tape (big enough to cover the print), carefully start at one edge of the print and lay the tape across the entire print, going slow enough to ensure no bubbles or wrinkles. Once the tape is applied, take your finger and rub it across the tape to ensure it is touching every part of the print. Carefully peel the tape up and immediately apply it to a piece of paper or cardstock. Prints on CDs can be placed in an envelope and mailed directly.


On the envelope/container please include the following information:

Collection Person: name, phone, email
Date:
Location: landmark, county, state
Habitat characteristics: terrain, vegetation, microclimate
Circumstances & Observations:
Custody Chain: persons involved, witnesses, handling techniques, and potential contamination

Contact the AIBR immediately for further instructions on where the sample should be shipped.