Never collect samples into a plastic bag unless the sample is to be frozen. We recommend that samples be collected by law enforcement personnel, veterinarians, or other authorities who can testify as to the sample collection procedures. When practical, it is best to submit the original evidence item for DNA analysis. If this is not feasible, cuttings or swabs of the item may be submitted

Swabbing Method

Lightly moisten a clean cotton swab with sterile water or saline solution available from a drug store. Carefully rub the sample area with the cotton swab, collecting as much material as possible. Additional swabs can be collected, but only one swab should be handled at a time. Allow the swabs to air dry keeping them out of direct sunlight. Never use a hair dryer or oven to dry the swabs. Place them into individual paper envelopes, then seal and sign across the seals.

Collect fresh blood by venipuncture into an EDTA or ACD tube and refrigerate.

When samples are located on smaller items such as clothing, weapons, etc, the entire object should be placed in a paper envelope and shipped at room temperature. Blood frozen in snow and ice should be collected in a tightly sealed tube and, if possible, kept frozen. Bloodstains on an absorbent material that cannot be shipped may need to be cut from the material and placed in a paper envelope and shipped at room temperature. If bloodstains are located on a non-absorbent object that cannot be shipped, collect the stain using a clean, lightly-moistened cotton swab. Repeat using a dry swab to go over the same area. Air dry the moist swab then seal them in a paper envelope and ship at room temperature.

If the stain is large enough, sample the blood using a dry swab without contaminating it with leaf material or dirt that can inhibit DNA analysis. Air dry the swab for a few minutes, then place it in a paper envelope and ship at room temperature. If the object is small, allow the sample to air dry and ship the entire object.

Cheek swabs are a non-invasive method of collecting DNA from known dogs and cats for comparison with an evidentiary sample. No food or drink should be allowed for twenty minutes prior to sampling. A swab (supplied at no charge by the laboratory) is placed against the inside of the cheek and swirled for ten seconds. Alternatively, a sterile cotton swab may be used. Allow the swab to air dry briefly, and then return it to the wrapper. Do not tape or seal the end of the wrapper shut. Repeat with a second swab for the same animal.

If the soft tissue is too degraded, then teeth are the preferred tissue for post mortem DNA testing. If available, submit at least two molars in good condition with no chips or cracks. Do not bleach or clean the teeth. If teeth are unavailable, submit approximately 3-4 inches of a long bone such as femur or humerus. Do not send large pieces of carcass or whole animals. Do not bleach or clean the bones prior to submission. Teeth or bone samples that are wet should be tightly wrapped to avoid leakage during shipping.

Pull about 50 hairs from the mane (horse), tail (horse or cattle), or neck guard hairs (elk and deer), being careful to obtain the hair roots. DO NOT CUT THE HAIRS. Place the samples in a paper envelope and seal. Do not use a plastic baggie. If the animal has been dead longer than 24 hours, do not collect a hair sample. Loose evidentiary hairs can be collected into paper or glassine evidence bags. Hair samples on non-porous surfaces can be lifted with conventional fingerprint tape. The lift should be placed sticky side down onto a piece of paper or microscope slide, and packaged in a separate envelope. Mounted hairs may be shipped in slide mailers.

Dried feces should be placed in a paper container and sealed. Collect wet feces in a leak-proof container and freeze immediately, then ship frozen overnight. Feces with visible mold should not be submitted.

Do not submit soft tissue collected over 72 hours post mortem, unless temperatures have been near freezing. Freeze fresh tissue in an airtight container and identify the source of the tissue (muscle or spleen are good sources). Ship overnight with a cold pack. Note: The laboratory will not accept post mortem tissue from deer or elk in areas affected by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Paraffin-embedded tissue is usually an adequate source of DNA. Excise a portion of the tissue approximately 1 cm square and submit the sample in a sealed container. Formalin fixation can inhibit DNA analysis, but tissues fixed for up to 10 days in formalin may be acceptable.

If feasible, it is best to submit whole evidence or reference items for DNA analysis of saliva. If this is impractical, then swab or excise the probable areas. Animal saliva has been successfully DNA typed from clothing, toys, collars, human skin, and the fur of other species. If saliva is being collected from an attack on another animal, clip the victim’s fur with saliva while avoiding areas with obvious blood. Allow saliva to air dry at room temperature or freeze immediately.

Collect the sample in a leak proof container (at least 50ml of urine), and freeze. If material is dried onto another object, submit the entire object or swab the object with damp cotton swabs. Allow the swabs to air-dry and place them in a paper envelope. Liquid samples should be frozen and shipped overnight with a cold pack.