In investigative cases, which combination of specimens is collected?

In investigative cases, which combination of specimens is collected?

• A. Pee n Bleed (3 Gray, 2 Purple, 1 Cup)
• B. Blood and Urine (2 Gray Tops)
• C. Urine (50-70 ml)
• D. Pee n Bleed (1 Gray, 1 Purple, 1 Cup)

Answer: (A)

Collecting both urine and blood with enough material and the right tube types is essential in investigative cases. The best approach is to obtain a urine sample (in a cup) for urinalysis or toxicology and multiple blood samples in different tubes to cover the range of tests that may be needed. Using three gray-top tubes and two purple-top tubes provides the appropriate preservatives and sufficient volume for various analyses (blood chemistries, glucose/metabolic tests on gray tops, and hematology or DNA testing on purple tops). This combination ensures all requested investigations can be completed without running short on samples. Options that include only urine or only blood, or that provide too few tubes, don’t meet the typical needs of investigative testing.

Collecting both urine and blood with enough material and the right tube types is essential in investigative cases. The best approach is to obtain a urine sample (in a cup) for urinalysis or toxicology and multiple blood samples in different tubes to cover the range of tests that may be needed. Using three gray-top tubes and two purple-top tubes provides the appropriate preservatives and sufficient volume for various analyses (blood chemistries, glucose/metabolic tests on gray tops, and hematology or DNA testing on purple tops). This combination ensures all requested investigations can be completed without running short on samples. Options that include only urine or only blood, or that provide too few tubes, don’t meet the typical needs of investigative testing.