Ensuring a Fair, Accurate Test
By Judge Karen Freeman-Wilson (ret.)
From the moment a testing sample is collected until its analysis in the lab to determine alcohol or drug use, the sample is closely monitored and protected under a set of procedures known as the “chain of custody.” Below are some important points for ensuring the privacy and accuracy of the process as the sample moves along the chain. For descriptive purposes, examples are given for urinalysis as the testing method.
- Guard against tampering. There is an entire industry devoted to the sale of “clean” urine and other substances designed to “beat” drug tests, so steps must be taken to prevent tampering and safeguard the integrity of the sample. In the sample-collection room, blue dye may be placed in the toilets, and the water to the sink shut off or the faucets taped shut to lessen the risk of adulteration. At the lab, technicians check samples for signs of possible substitution or adulteration by substances that the student may have ingested or put in the specimen to “cleanse” it. (Tampering or adulteration is usually less of a concern in hair or saliva testing.)
- Label the sample. Once the sample is collected, the student seals and labels the container (name and date) and hands it directly to the person supervising the process.
- Confirm sample identification. The person supervising the process initials the sample in the presence of the student to verify receipt, confirm identification of the sample, and minimize the opportunity for misidentification.
- Restrict access. All samples are maintained in a secure place with limited access. Any individual who has access to any sample signs a log each time the sample is handled.
- Minimize participating staff. If the testing program is large enough, a vendor may provide on-site testing equipment. This is generally a more cost-effective approach that also provides faster results (within 10 minutes). All on-site testing should be performed in a secure location with a limited number of staff to minimize the risk of human error and make it easier to trace any problems that may arise in the testing process.
- Provide safe delivery. If an off-site laboratory is used, there must be a secure method for delivering the sample for analysis (either through verified mail or bonded/licensed courier). It is important to follow the transportation procedure outlined by the off-site laboratory to make sure the sample remains safely within the chain of custody from the collection site to the laboratory.
- Document each step. Carefully and consistently following the correct procedures will help protect the rights of the individual and the interests of the school.
Judge Karen Freeman-Wilson is former president and Chief Executive Officer of The National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and former Executive Director of The National Drug Court Institute.