MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. John J. Hotz
Q332015-1 (573) 526-6115

March 3, 2016
EMPHASIS: Missouri State Highway Patrol Releases Blood Specimen Handling Procedures For Blood Alcohol Determinations

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is releasing the following procedures to clarify the agency’s blood specimen handling procedures for blood alcohol determinations. These procedures come directly from the Forensic Handbook (SHP-271) and the Patrol’s General Order 66-04-1574:

Forensic Handbook:
Blood Alcohol Determinations

Whole blood is the best body fluid for alcohol testing. Serum, plasma, and vitreous humor are acceptable specimens, but only if they contain the proper preservatives. Urine is not a reliable specimen for accurately determining a blood alcohol level. Urine will not be analyzed for alcohol.

Blood and blood products must be collected in a sterile, gray stopper, blood collection tube which contains the additives sodium fluoride (NaF) and potassium oxalate (KOx). Samples which do not contain sodium fluoride will not be analyzed for alcohol. If your sample is needed also as a reference standard for DNA, collect a separate, duplicate sample in a purple capped tube.

The site of blood collection on the suspect's arm must be cleansed with a non-alcoholic antiseptic. The most common non-alcoholic antiseptic is povidone-iodine (Betadine). Sterile water and ordinary tap water are not antiseptics and do not fulfill the requirements of the law. Be aware that some antiseptics contain both alcohol and povidone-iodine and are labeled as such. Do not use antiseptics containing any form of alcohol. The package from the antiseptic swab or pad must be preserved to prove in court that a non-alcoholic antiseptic was used. Do not preserve the swab or pad itself.
The blood specimen must be drawn using a new, sterile needle. The package from the needle must be preserved to prove in court the legal collection requirements were followed. Do not preserve the needle itself. Discard the needle in a proper sharps container.

After the blood is collected, mix the blood and the additives in the tube by gently inverting the tube at least 15-20 times. This will prevent the blood from clotting. Mark the tube with the person’s name, your initials, and your case number, if available. One tube of blood (10 milliliters) is sufficient for alcohol testing.

Do not freeze the blood sample, because the tube may break. Protect the blood from extreme heat, such as exists in a hot car during the summer. Do not apply evidence tape to the blood tube itself. The blood specimen will be stable for many months at room temperature. If properly packaged, blood specimens may be sent to the laboratory through U.S. Mail.

Patrol General Order 66-04-1574 states in part:

Blood tests ─ general provisions
Members will submit a Property Record, SHP-48, on all blood samples as outlined in General Order 84-03, "Property Control."
The member requesting a blood sample for alcohol/drug testing will ensure the blood is drawn by a licensed physician, registered nurse, or trained medical technician at the place of their employment (a medical facility, inside an ambulance, etc.) and witness the blood sample being drawn.
The requesting member should:
- Ensure the collection tube and needle are labeled as being sterile.
- Retain and mark the packaging of the needle with the word "sterile" for later identification, and hold them as evidence in the appropriate property control area. The needle will not be retained, as it poses a hazard.
- Thoroughly mix the blood with the additives in the tube.
- Label the blood tube with the name of the person from whom the blood was drawn, and any other information deemed necessary.
- Have the person who drew the blood complete and sign the appropriate section of the Transmittal Slip - Blood Specimen, SHP-205, or Alcohol Influence Report.
- Protect the specimen from extreme heat and freezing until delivery to the laboratory.
- Submit the original Transmittal Slip ─ Blood Specimen, if used, to DOR with the Alcohol Influence Report, and submit a copy to the affected property control officer with each blood specimen.
- Submit a Lotus Notes Laboratory Analysis Request for each blood specimen to the affected property control officer in accordance with the SHP-411 Lotus Notes Manual.


Currently, Patrol zone offices are equipped with refrigerators for urine samples collected during investigations involving drug-impaired driving. Neither the Forensic Handbook nor Patrol policy requires the refrigeration of a blood sample collected for blood alcohol determination.

To request a copy of the Patrol’s General Order 66-04-1574, contact the Patrol’s Custodian of Records via (573) 526-6167 or via the Patrol’s website:
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/PRD/custodianOfRecords.html


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