REV 08.15 © 2009 Omega Laboratories, Inc., 400 N. Cleveland Avenue, Mogadore, Ohio 44260

800.665.5569 330.628.5748 www.omegalabs.net

Collecting Hair Samples

A Training Guide on

How to Collect

a Hair Sample

REV 08.15

Goals of Collection Procedure

• Collect 60+ milligrams or 90-120 strands

of hair representing the required timeframe

(½ inch = one month, standard test – 3

months)

• Complete the Chain of Custody Form

(C.C.F.)

• Package and send sample with completed

C.C.F. to Omega Laboratories, Inc.

Introduction

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This Training Guide will take you through

the four steps to collecting

1. Gathering collection MATERIALS

2. Preparing the CHAIN OF CUSTODY

FORM (C.C.F)

3. Performing an accurate COLLECTION

4. Timely SHIPPING

Introduction

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1. Gathering Collection Materials

• You need an Omega

Laboratories, Inc.

Chain of Custody

Form (C.C.F.)

1.Materials-1

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1. Gathering Collection Materials

• You need an Omega Collection Kit

consisting of

– Hair Specimen Pouch

– Collection Foil

– Clear Plastic Transport Bag

1.Materials-2

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1. Gathering Collection Materials

• You need –

– Scissors

– Hair Clip

– Alcohol Wipes

1.Materials-3

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2. Complete the Chain of

Custody Form (C.C.F.)

• Verify you have the correct donor by

viewing a valid photo ID

2.C.C.F.-1

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2. Completing the Chain of

Custody Form (C.C.F.)

* Collector completes

areas shaded in

YELLOW

* Donor completes

areas shaded in

LIGHT BLUE

2. C.C.F.- 2

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2. C.C.F. – Complete Step 1

• Step 1-A -Complete donor name and ID or

SS number

• Step 1-D&E -Specify Reason for Test and

Type of Test (If not pre-printed)

2. C.C.F.- 3

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2. C.C.F. – Complete Step 2

• Step 2 – Mark Head or Body Hair

DO NOT MIX

HEAD HAIR AND BODY HAIR

2. C.C.F.- 4

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3. Prepare for Sample Collection

• Have donor sit

• Place a wastebasket nearby

• Wipe scissors with an alcohol wipe

3.Collection-1

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3. Prepare for Sample Collection

• Place Hair Specimen Pouch where donor

can see it

3.Collection-2

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3. Prepare for Sample Collection

• Show the open Hair Specimen Pouch to

the donor to show it is empty and place it

in view of donor

3.Collection-3

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3. Isolate Hair Sample(s)

• Slide hair clip horizontally under the hair at

the crown of the head

3.Collection-4

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3. Isolate Hair Sample(s)

• Lift a 1-2 inch wide section of hair upwards

exposing the base of the hair underneath

3.Collection-5

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3. Isolate Hair Sample(s)

• Use your fingers below the clip to take the

required diameter of hair and gently lift it

straight out from the scalp

3.Collection-6

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3. Cut the Hair Sample(s)

• Slide the scissors down the selected hair

sample until they rest flush with the scalp

3.Collection-7

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3. Cut the Hair Sample(s)

• Cut the sample as close to the scalp as

possible and move to Hair Specimen Pouch

• Take several cuts if needed to obtain

sufficient hair

3.Collection-8

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3. Package the Hair Sample(s)

• Align the root ends of the hair sample so

they are even (the ends closest to the scalp)

• Place the root end of the hair sample

against the tab end of the Collection Foil

and pinch the tab over the root ends.

3.Collection-9

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3. Package the Hair Sample(s)

• Hold the hair straight along the center

fold of the Collection Foil

• Fold the Collection Foil in half and press

firmly

3.Collection-10

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3. Package the Hair Sample(s)

• Again fold the Collection Foil lengthwise

and your sample is ready to place in the

Hair Specimen Pouch

3.Collection-11

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3. Short/Thin Hair Situations

• DO NOT use head hair if it is shorter than

½ inch long – use body hair only!

• Take hair from several places around the

crown

• Remember that time period covered by the

test is determined by the length of the

sample –½ inch =1 month

3.Collection-10

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3. No Hair on Head Situations

*Hair can be taken from anywhere on the

body but remember this if you take body

hair –

• You MUST mark on the Chain of Custody

Form that body hair was collected

• DO NOT mix body hair and head hair!

3.Collection-11

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3. Reminders About Collecting

– To visualize the amount needed for

collection, imagine a 1½ inch long soda

straw filled with hair (collect extra strands if

hair is less than 1½ inch long!)

– It is better to have too much hair for the

sample than too little!

– Remember that shorter hair (less than 1½

inch) requires more strands of hair to have

adequate “bulk” for the sample

3.Collection-14

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3. Package the Sample

• Put Collection Foil into Hair Specimen

Pouch with the donor observing

3.Collection-15

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3. Package the Sample

• Seal Pouch with the

Hair Pouch Seal

from the C.C.F.

3.Collection-16

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Please Note:

eCCF Specimen Seals

• Please Note: Some kits

may have separate

Specimen Seals

included in the kit.

These are only for use

with electronic CCF

systems. These should

be discarded if using a

paper CCF.

3.Collection-16

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3. Package the Sample

• Have the donor initial and date the seal

3.Collection-17

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3. Complete Step 4 on the C.C.F.

• Complete Step 4 - Collector signature,

printed name, collection date and time

3.Collection-20

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3. C.C.F. – Step 5

• Have donor complete Step 5

3.Collection-18

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3. Package the Sample

• Verify Chain of

Custody Form is

completed

3.Collection-19

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3. Package the Sample

• Insert the Hair Specimen Pouch in the

clear plastic Transport Bag

3.Collection-21

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3. Package the Sample

• Take the top copy (white) and insert it

into the Transport Bag

3.Collection- 22

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4. Package the Sample

• Seal the Transport Bag - it is ready to

ship

4.Shipping-1

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Send Sealed Specimen Bag

The specimen bag can be sent via U.S.

Mail, FedEx, or other courier service to

Omega Laboratories, Inc.

4.Shipping-2

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If you have any questions about the

collection process, or need to collect

for a non-standard hair test - please call

Omega Laboratories, Inc. at

800-665-5569

Visit www.omegalabs.net for more information

about the services of Omega Laboratories, Inc.

© 2009 Omega Laboratories, Inc.