Sample Collection - Saliva

For saliva sample collection, we recommend one of the following saliva collection systems. If samples need to be stored between collection and parcel, they should be kept refrigerated or possibly frozen.

System I - Immunalysis Quantisal^®

The Immunalysis Quantisal^® oral fluid collection set consists of an absorbent cotton pad and a closable tube containing a buffer solution. A colour indicator shows when enough saliva (about 1 ml) has been absorbed. The collector is then placed in the tube with the buffer solution, which extracts the salvia from the absorbent cotton pad and stabilizes the sample during transport. An instruction sheet detailing the necessary steps for correct sample extraction can be downloaded below.

Instructions for collection of saliva samples - Quantisal — Click to download

System II - Greiner Bio-One

The Greiner Bio-One saliva collection set is based on a tasteless artificially coloured solution used for rinsing the oral cavity. After 2 minutes, the solution is spit into the enclosed cup, from which the two evacuated transport tubes are filled via the integrated needle-septum-system. The saliva volume percentage in the coloured solution is determined in the lab through photometric absorption measurement. An instruction sheet detailing the necessary steps for correct sample extraction can be downloaded below.

Instructions for collection of saliva samples - Greiner — Click to download

Further information on relevant topics

Urine

To prevent adulteration, collection of a forensic urine sample should occur under supervision. We recommend the collection in a urine cup from which a few mL are transferred into a urine Monovette®

Hair

The collection of a hair sample for an analysis of drugs of abuse, medical drugs or the alcohol marker ethylglucuronide is not a medical intervention. Hence it must not be carried out by medical staff. However, it should be performed by qualified trained persons according to recognized guidelines to avoid pre-analytical errors.

Blood/Serum

For a test of alcohol, of the alcohol marker ethylglucuronide, of CDT or the liver values (AST, ALT, GGT) the blood sample should be taken by medical staff.

Dried Blood Samples

Chromatographic drug analyses (LC-MS/MS) in capillary blood and DBS (dried blood samples) respectively are of increasing importance. Using dried blood samples can be unequivocally assigned to patients and the number of detectable substances is generally larger than in urine.