Misidentification of drug test sample

[avanti]

It is happens occasionally that samples from drug tests get mislabeled (it happened to me once on a PSA test) . If this was to happen to an athete then he would be accused of doping. Why not conduct a DNA test on the sample (on urine it has to be soon after collection) so that the sample can be positively tied to the donor.

If I was accused of doping I would request DNA testing be done.

Of course this may already be standard procedure for athlete testing.

 

[TERMINATOR]

It is happens occasionally that samples from drug tests get mislabeled (it happened to me once on a PSA test) . If this was to happen to an athete then he would be accused of doping. Why not conduct a DNA test on the sample (on urine it has to be soon after collection) so that the sample can be positively tied to the donor.

If I was accused of doping I would request DNA testing be done.

Of course this may already be standard procedure for athlete testing.

No, samples cannot be mislabeled. You can't run DNA tests on urine. And you would lose your doping case if you questioned its chain of command.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[joe_papp]

...chain of command.

Chain of custody.

 

[joe_papp]

It is happens occasionally that samples from drug tests get mislabeled (it happened to me once on a PSA test) . If this was to happen to an athete then he would be accused of doping. Why not conduct a DNA test on the sample (on urine it has to be soon after collection) so that the sample can be positively tied to the donor.

If I was accused of doping I would request DNA testing be done.

Of course this may already be standard procedure for athlete testing.

OH, just so you know, the process for ensuring correct ID of samples and maintenance of chain of custody is insanely rigorous and it would be incredibly difficult to confuse the ID of a sample prior to its being opened.

I don't have the time right this second to explain the sample collection process in detail (you may actually be able to watch a video explaining it on USADA's site), but I ask for your trust in this matter. Assuming the integrity of the doping control form (that is, the form that's filed w/ the sample corresponds to the form in your possession), until the sample itself is opened for analysis, it's functionally impossible to cause it to be misidentified.

The A and B sample containers (not the sample collection vessel) have these funky auto-locking tops on them that can't be removed but for a special tool that you can't buy at Home Depot, plus they have the ID# engraved on them. Then, once you (the athlete) fill the two containers and lock them down and package them up, you get to apply a security seal that is itself ID'd.

Not saying it's outside the realm of possibility, but realistically, once you pour your pee into the two jars and lock down the tops, your urine isn't going to be misidentified while awaiting analysis. I'd be more concerned about the sample being corrupted by extreme heat or lost.

Seriously though, the degree to which USADA, for example, goes to in order to ensure the chain of custody and the security of samples goes well beyond anything seen in work-place drug testing or routine medical-related analysis, and is confidence-inspiring.

Once the sample vials are opened and the urine prepared for analysis, of course at that point subterfuge could corrupt the process, but there youre talking about having to bribe or otherwise coerce multiple persons.

Sure, there are factors or variables that could probably screw-up an analysis, but mis-identification is not realistically one of them.