SAMPLE SUBMISSION FORMS
The links below allow you to download our sample submission forms. These PDFs contain fillable fields to provide information to our scientists about the case circumstances, request for type(s) of testing, and primary contact information for results and reporting. In addition, the form contains information about shipping, sample requirements, and laboratory contact information.TOXICOLOGY (BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS) - SAMPLE SUBMISSION FORM
CHEMISTRY (DRUG MATERIALS) - SAMPLE SUBMISSION FORM
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*** RAPID TESTING TO ADDRESS DRUG OVERDOSE OUTBREAKS ***
The CFSRE, through its NPS Discovery program, specializes in rapid drug testing of biological specimens (e.g., blood, serum, plasma) and drug materials (e.g., pills, powders, syringes) to quickly answer questions about the drugs, adulterants, and other substances involved in drug overdose outbreaks. Since 2018, our scientists have effectively collaborated with public health and public safety agencies to gather rapid information in these highly important circumstances. If your city, county, or jurisdiction is experiencing an increase in overdose cases (either fatal or non-fatal) and/or increases in adverse events associated with drug use in a short period of time (i.e., 24-72 hours), contact our laboratory for consultation and to explore options for no-cost comprehensive drug testing (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Examples of Drug Overdose Outbreaks
- 2018 -- Philadelphia, PA -- More than 150 overdoses in one weekend associated with a drug product called “Santa Muerte”. Reports indicated that these products were the "last pure heroin" in the city. Our laboratory's testing uncovered fentanyl, heroin, and the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-ADB, which was linked to combative and adverse behaviors post-naloxone administration. MORE
- 2018 -- New Haven, CT -- Nearly 100 overdoses were reported near a park in New Haven after people consumed products marketed as "K2" or "Spice". Our laboratory collaborated with local area hospitals to test biological samples collected from patients presenting to the emergency department. Our testing uncovered the synthetic cannabinoids FUB-AMB and 5F-ADB.
- 2021 -- Tennessee -- In the wake of controls placed on prior novel synthetic opioids, metonitazene appeared in the Midwest, increasing quickly in prevelence and causing fatal overdose deaths across the state of Tennessee. MORE
- 2022 -- Florida -- N,N-Dimethylpentylone emerged in Florida following controls placed on eutylone, a structurally similar novel stimulant. Our laboratory quickly saw increasing deaths associated with dimethylpentylone, although the manners of death varied (e.g., homocide, accidental drug overdose, driving crash). MORE
- 2024 -- Philadelphia, PA & Chicago, IL -- Nearly simultaneously, drug products in Philadelphia and Chicago began appearing with medetomidine as an adulterant alongside fentanyl and heroin. This resulted in increased overdoses, increased challenges with overdose reversals, and increased emergency department admissions. Our laboratory partnered with public health departments and clinical institutions to rapidly characterize medetomidine and its emergence, issuing a Public Alert to disseminate findings. MORE
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BENEFITS OF FORENSIC TESTING AT THE CFSRE
- Perform routine testing for all NPS subclasses, including opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, hallucinogens, and cannabinoids.
- Assist medical examiners and coroners with determining cause of death when prior toxicology testing is negative or inconclusive.
- Analysis by state-of-the-art instrumentation and methodologies.
- Regularly updated, comprehensive in-house library database containing more than 1,200 drugs.
- Sample handling and analysis performed under chain of custody.
- Forensic quality data and individual reports generated per case.
- World-leading forensic toxicologists, chemists, and scientists.
- Laboratory follows forensic and industry best practices.
