B-1. General
a. Critical elements for accuracy in analysis of NBC samples and physiological specimens are correct collecting, packaging, handling, and transporting techniques. The quality of any analytical evaluation is directly related to the quality of the sample/specimen and the degree of postcollection degradation that occurs prior to testing. Health service support personnel collect and submit specimens for suspect NBC hazards/agents involving humans and animals. Chemical corps and other nonmedical units collect and submit environmental (air, plant, and soil) samples for suspect NBC hazards/agents. Preventive medicine personnel collect and submit water and ice samples for suspect NBC hazards/agents. Veterinary personnel collect and submit food samples, such as fruits and vegetables, and specimens from animals for suspect NBC hazards/agents. Specimens collected from patients that are suspect of being exposed to a biological agent are forwarded to the supporting medical laboratory (such as the TAML, AML or US Navy Forward Deployed PVNTMED Unit) for analysis.
b. Essentially all military operations from war to stability operations and support operations may generate medical laboratory testing requirements. Each scenario, geographical region, population base, and suspect agent will impact on the type and amount of samples/specimens required and the collection process. During all operations, express permission is required before collecting specimens from civilians because of religious or sociological beliefs in many cultures. To obtain such specimens without permission could result in unnecessary mission complications.
NOTES
1. The term "sample" refers to nonhuman and nonanimal origin. The term "specimen" refers to human and animal origin.
2. Always consider that chemical agents may have been employed. Check for chemical agents before collecting a biological sample/specimen. Chemical agents can damage or destroy biological agents. Also, chemical agents not identified in the sample/specimen can pose a hazard to receiving laboratory personnel. Mark all samples that are potentially contaminated with chemical agents as such.
3. Precautions should be taken to protect the sample/specimen collector from potential BW agents; at a minimum, respiratory protection and rubber gloves must be worn. Additional care must be taken when collecting samples/specimens to prevent cross-contamination. Gloves must be changed or decontaminated between sample/specimen collections.
4. Samples will not be delivered to the clinical laboratory of an MTF for analysis. They must be delivered to the designated supporting medical laboratory for processing. This will prevent accidentally spreading a biological agent in the MTF.
c. Coordination for follow-on testing is absolutely critical to the sample/specimen collection process.
d. Coordination with the receiving laboratory should be made to establish sample requirements, preferred collection techniques, methods of preservation, and transportation conditions, when the tactical situation and/or mission permits.
e. The number of medical specimens that need to be collected varies with the type of analysis performed and the impact of the values determined. The number and types of "control" samples/specimens required to validate test information is determined by the supporting medical laboratory personnel. Random sampling, matched with control populations, or other techniques will be employed as the requirements are identified.
B-2. Sample/Specimen Background Information
a. A complete history of the circumstances about each sample's/specimen's acquisition must be provided to the agency conducting the analysis.