Testing

Drug Testing

Some drugs used to facilitate sexual assault are rapidly absorbed by the body and rapidly excreted, so there is little evidence of the drugging.

Whenever drugging is suspected, urine samples should be collected from a patient as soon as possible. Blood samples should also be collected if the patient presents within 72-hours of the suspected drugging.

Police involvement is required to perform the testing, and your regional or municipal police force should be contacted as soon as possible. After urine and/or blood samples have been collected, police will have the samples tested at an accredited police laboratory.

Note: though police involvement is required for drug testing, this does not necessarily mean that a patient will be forced to press charges or proceed with a full investigation.  

Sample Collection

The following samples should be taken if drugging is suspected:

Symptoms and Medication

If a recent drugging is suspected, it is important to note any symptoms a patient may have, as well as record any medication, such as sedatives, that are administered before urine/blood samples are collected.

Urine

Urine should be collected as soon as possible. A standard, screw-top sample container is fine. For testing purposes, larger samples are preferred. A filled 50ml container is suggested.

Urine should be refrigerated, and properly identified on the container (not on the lid). Identification information should include patient’s first and last name, hospital and/or personal health identification number, date and time of sample collection, treating physician, and time of suspected drugging. Chain of custody procedures must be followed to guarantee the integrity of the sample.

Blood

Blood should also be collected if the patient presents within 72-hours of suspected drugging. Sample should be collected as soon as possible. 7-8 ml of blood should be collected in a blood sample tube containing preservatives (gray stopper). Sample should be properly labeled (as noted above) and chain of custody procedures must be followed to guarantee the integrity of the sample.