SOUTHWESTERN

INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES

AT DALLAS

TELEPHONE: 214-920-5990 FAX: 214-920-5812 5230 Medical Center Drive Dallas, Texas 75235

TOXICOLOGY EVIDENCE STORAGE POLICY

1. ROUTINE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL: Specimen submitted to the Toxicology Laboratory will be held at no charge for one year after specimen collection or receipt at IFS. After this time, specimens will be disposed unless specific action is taken by the submitter or other interested individual as noted below. 2. REQUIREMENTS TO HOLD SPECIMENS BEYOND ONE YEAR: Toxicology samples may be held for additional one year increments provided all of the following conditions are met prior to the anniversary date of specimen receipt or collection at IFS: A. The Toxicology Laboratory must have a written request from the outside agency/individual requesting that specimens are retained for an additional year. This written notice must include the case name; the IFS case number; the name, phone number, and complete mailing address of the agency/individual requesting specimen hold; and a description of the types of specimens to hold. B. The Laboratory must be in receipt of a check or money order for the amount of the Annual Specimen Storage Fee authorized by the Dallas County Commissioners Court ($60). The check must be made payable to Dallas County and reference the case name and/or case number. C. It is the responsibility of the agency/individual requesting specimen hold to renew the annual specimen hold prior to the anniversary date of sample receipt or collection at IFS. Otherwise samples will be disposed per Institute policy. The Institute will not provide annual notice of this requirement to renew the sample hold request and provide payment. 3. Payment of the specimen hold fee does not infer exclusive control of blocks nor does it guarantee release of specimens. 4. Specimens may be placed on hold by more that one entity. Should specimens be released by the action of one entity, effort will be made to preserve a portion of each specimen type for use by other entities; however this is not guaranteed. 5. RELEASE OF SPECIMENS: Release of specimens requires written authorization from the next of kin/executor of the estate (and a copy of their drivers license or other government photo ID) or other legal authority directing disposition of the specimens by this Laboratory in addition to approval of the Chief Medical Examiner, submitting agency, and/or proper legal authority. Costs of specimen handling and shipping and additional testing are the responsibility of the requestor: $32 made payable to Dallas County if shipping fees are paid by the receiving lab or other entity or $64 made payable to Dallas County if Dallas County pays shipping fees. 6. Dallas County reserves the right to change this policy at any time. Reasonable effort will be made to notify the outside agency/individual requesting the sample hold; however, no guarantee is made in this regard. It is the responsibility of the agency/individual requesting specimen hold to keep the Institute advised of address changes, etc. 7. CORRESPONDENCE: All correspondence and payment must be sent to Dallas County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Attn: Elizabeth Todd, 5230 Medical Center Drive, Dallas, TX 75235 (214-920-5990). All correspondence and payment must be received prior to the anniversary date of sample receipt or collection at IFS. 10/07, Version 2.0