Snohomish County DUI Attorney: DUI Blood Draw legal checklist

From the forthcoming book, "The DUI Handbook for the Accused - 2ed."  Due out in January, 2011

Blood Specimen Collection – the Legal Checklist

The officer (god help you) or phlebotomist drawing the blood from a suspect should follow the steps noted below in order to ensure the specimen will be accurately analyzed and the chain of custody will be intact. Any significant deviation from these steps may raise questions about the accuracy of the sample analysis.

Step One

Remove all components from the blood alcohol kit box.

Step Two

Assemble needle to holder.

Step Three

Apply tourniquet and prepare venipuncture site using only a non-alcoholic antiseptic. Note: Some antiseptics contain alcohol as a solvent.

Step Four

Following normal hospital/clinic procedure, withdraw blood specimen from subject. The arm should be in a downward or lowered position, while the tube should be in a slanted position with the stopper in the highest position.

Step Five

As the tube begins to fill, the tourniquet should be removed. The contents of the tube should not contact the stopper. Special attention should be given to the arm position in order to prevent possible backflow from the tube and the possibility of adverse reaction to the subject.

Step Six

When the tube fill is complete, blood should cease to flow. The tube should be removed from the holder and any additional tubes should be placed into the holder following the same procedure.

Step Seven

When sampling is completed, the needle/holder assembly should be removed in its entirety. A dry, sterile compress should be applied to the venipuncture site. The arm should be elevated.

Step Eight

To assure proper mixing of the chemicals in the tube with the blood, each tube should be slowly and completely inverted at least five times immediately after blood collection. The tube should not be shaken vigorously.

Step Nine

The subject's name or other identifying information should be placed on the tube.

Step Ten

Any paperwork associated with the blood kit must be filled out and signed by the person withdrawing the blood.

Step Eleven

The blood tubes should be properly packaged and placed in the blood kit. A liquid-absorbing packet should be included with the test tubes to determine if any leakage occurs during transportation.

Step Twelve

A biohazard label should be affixed to the exterior of the blood kit. The kit is now ready for transportation to the laboratory for analysis.

Note: Normally, a complete toxicology screen requires two tubes of blood (20 ml)

For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, Whatcom County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com