Collection Requirements

1. Prior to each collection, wipe the scissors, clips, and comb with a non-ethanol based alcohol pad.

2. Examine the donor’s hair prior to beginning the collection. Check that the donor’s hair is not chemically treated or synthetic.

3. Verify the donor’s identity with a government-issued photo ID.

4. On the Custody and Control Form do the following:

A. Once verified, mark the Picture ID Verified box on the Custody and Control Form. B. Record the donor’s ID number. This may be the Social Security number, Driver’s License number, Medical Record number, Employee number or any other number of your facilities choosing. C. Record the donor’s name (optional). D. Mark the specimen matrix and location. E. Mark the appropriate reason for testing. F. Mark the panel ordered for this collection. G. Record the Collection Site Facility information if it is different than the Account Information at the top of the form.

5. Open the collection supplies in the presence of the donor.

6. Fold each side of the collection foil up to form a tray and open the envelope so the printed ruler is visible.

7. Clipping the hair:

The ideal site for collection is at the top of the back of the head, called the crown or vertex area. Collector should use

gloves throughout the collection.

For Hair Longer than 1.5 inches:

A. Isolate a section of hair above the area to be sampled, and secure it with a hair clip. Using a rat-tail comb,

select a section of hair to be clipped with cutting shears at scalp level. If the client has thin hair, multiple sites

may be used.

B. Clip the hair and place it on the envelope near the printed ruler with the root end to the left. Using the ruler, cut the hair to 1.5 inches in length, keeping the 1.5 inches closest to the root end. Discard the rest of the hair. Place the hair in the foil tray. Continue collection until you have 100mg/150mg of specimen. If you are not using a gem scale to weigh the specimen (recommended), you do not need to trim the hair to 1.5”. Instead, fold the foil in half and place the root end of the untrimmed hair toward the end of the foil marked root end.

For Hair Shorter than 1.5 inches:

C. Collect smaller amounts of hair from multiple sites around the head. Place the hair in the foil tray. Continue

collection until you have 100mg/150mg of specimen.

8. Once the required amount of specimen has been collected, fold the foil inward several times to secure the hair inside

the foil and place it inside the collection envelope.

*Note: Body hair is an acceptable alternative when scalp hair is not available. When referring to head hair, we are referring

to scalp hair only. Body hair refers to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc). The same instructions apply to collecting

body hair. Clip as close to the root as safely possible and place in the foil tray. Once 100mg/150mg is collected, fold the

foil inward to secure the hair inside the foil. DO NOT mix body hair and head hair.

9. Write the Donor ID from the Custody and Control Form on the envelope in the Test Subject ID section.

10. Place the long bar-coded specimen seal from the Custody and Control form across the bottom of the envelope. Make

sure the sticker seals the flap of the envelope securely.

11. Have the donor/guardian read and initial the first sentence on the envelope, and then date and initial the bar-coded

specimen seal next to Subject Initials.

12. The collector should then read, date, and sign the second sentence of the envelope, and record the specimen weight, if available.

13. The donor/guardian and collector should both confirm that the Test Subject ID Number on the envelope matches the Donor ID number on the Custody and Control Form, and that the Control Number from the bar-coded sticker on the envelope

matches the Control Number at the top of the Custody and Control Form.

14. Date, sign, and print the collector name on Step 4 of the Custody and Control Form.

15. Have the donor/guardian date, sign, and print their name on Step 5 of the Custody and Control Form (optional).

16. In the presence of the donor/guardian, place the top copy of the Custody and Control Form inside the outer pocket

of the security bag. Place the specimen envelope inside the inner pocket of the security bag and seal the bag. The

additional copies of the Custody and Control Form can be distributed at the discretion of the collecting facility.

17. Place the specimen envelope in an appropriate courier transport overwrap and contact your courier for pick-up.