FORENSIC BIOLOGY SEROLOGY PROCEDURES MANUAL
PROCESSING OF POSTMORTEM SPECIMENS
DATE EFFECTIVE
06-20-2016
APPROVED BY
SEROLOGY TECHNICAL LEADER
Controlled versions of Department of Forensic Biology Manuals only exist in the Forensic Biology Qualtrax
software. All printed versions are non-controlled copies.
© NYC OFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER
3. Locate the appropriate PM sample and verify that you have the correct PM sample and subject
name. Place PM sample into paternity bin for FB case # assignment.
4. Send a “reply to all” email answering all of the questions listed above in #2. List all samples in
FB custody. Indicate if there is an inconsistency between the subject’s name listed in the email
from the Legal Department and what is listed in the autopsy sheet.
5. If no sample is available in FB, contact the Toxicology Department for a potential sample.
If a sample is available, retrieve it from EU, and process the sample.
Store the stain card in the appropriate retained storage location. Update all appropriate databases.
Retain the email requesting a specimen from the Toxicology Department and your reply. Place
PM Sample into the Paternity Bin for FB Case Number assignment.
6. FB will be contacted by the Legal Department when a paternity kit has arrived for the subject.
Retrieve the kit.
7. Locate the appropriate FB case file & sample.
8. Open kit and discard any glass containers for liquid blood in the sharps container.
9. Submit a quarter of the PM sample for testing. If PM sample appears to be decomposed, submit
half of the sample. (Example- If four circles are stained, submit one circle. If the bloodstain is
decomp fluid, submit two circles.) Do not send the entire sample; a minimum of 50% of the
sample should be retained. If the testing laboratory or family is requesting the entire item, verify
this with the Legal Department and proceed as advised.
10. Submit the portion of stain card in a coin envelope labeled with the subject name, ME #, and any
other relevant information. Submit a portion of the tissue or bone sample in a plastic, puncture-
and leak-proof container labeled as described previously. Seal, initial, and date packaging. Return
unused sample to their original storage location.
11. Fill out an OCME autopsy specimen chain of custody documentation and shipping paperwork.
Refer to the autopsy sheet for information regarding the subject’s age, race, time of death, and
medical examiner who performed the autopsy.