(a) Receipt - The receipt of each DNA Convicted Offender Database sample at the Wyott Evidence Facility shall be the responsibility of the Wyott Evidence Facility personnel. A CODIS sample transfer form will accompany all samples submitted to the Crime Laboratory.
(b) Acceptance Criteria - The whole blood DNA-COD sample for inclusion in the DNA-COD database shall be accepted on the basis of all of the following criteria: - (i) Sealed white envelope, initialed across 2 edges of yellow seal
- (ii) Completed white envelope submittal form
- (iii) Legible and accurate information
- (iv) No prior accepted DNA-COD sample
- (v) Plastic transport container cap properly sealed
- (vi) Blood tube properly sealed
- (vii) Blood tube legibly and accurately completed
- (viii) Sufficient amount of blood in tube (approximately 3/4 full)
(c) Acceptance Criteria - The blood-spot DNA-COD sample for inclusion in the DNA-COD database shall be accepted on the basis of all of the following criteria: - (i) Sealed white envelope, initialed across 2 edges of yellow seal
- (ii) Completed white envelope submittal form
- (iii) Legible and accurate information on submittal form and blood-spot cards
- (iv) No prior accepted DNA-COD sample
- (v) Blood-spot cards in acceptable condition
- (vi) Blood-spot cards contain sufficient amount of blood for processing
- (vii) Blood-spot cards properly sealed
(d) Acceptance Criteria - The buccal DNA-COD sample for inclusion in the DNA-COD database shall be accepted on the basis of all of the following criteria: - (i) Sealed white envelope, initialed across 2 edges of evidence seal
- (ii) Completed white envelope submittal form
- (iii) Legible and accurate information on submittal form and buccal collectors
- (iv) No prior accepted DNA-COD sample
- (v) Buccal DNA collector in acceptable condition
- (vi) Buccal collector properly sealed
(e) Acceptance Notification - A complete list of the accepted DNA Convicted Offender Database subjects shall be provided to the DOC. Each copy provided of the DNA-COD list shall be documented within the DNA-COD unit.
(f) Rejection Criteria - the DNA-COD sample shall be rejected on the basis of any of the following criteria: - (i) Unsealed white envelope
- (ii) Incomplete white envelope submittal form
- (iii) Illegible and/or inaccurate information
- (iv) Prior accepted DNA-COD sample
- (v) Plastic transport container improperly sealed
- (vi) Blood tube improperly sealed
- (vii) Blood tube label illegible and/or inaccurate
- (viii) Insufficient amount of blood given in tube (less than 3/4 full)
- (ix) Leakage of blood into transport tube
- (x) Insufficient amount of blood on a blood-spot card (all four spots filled)
- (xi) Integrity of buccal collector paper in doubt
(g) Rejection Notification - All rejection notifications shall be sent only to the DOC and will specify the reason for rejection. - (i) Rejection of any sample shall be made by the CODIS Manager or qualified CODIS personnel.
- (ii) Each notification shall be documented.
- (iii) The rejected sample shall not be opened.
- (iv) The rejected sample shall be disposed of in a manner compliant with Wyoming State Crime Laboratory Safety Guidelines.
(h) Chain of Custody - No DNA-COD sample shall be stored, intermingled or physically associated with Wyoming State Crime Laboratory case work evidence. - (i) Only designated CODIS personnel or designee shall initiate and maintain the internal Laboratory chain of custody.
- (ii) Evidence Tracking of Accepted Samples - Each accepted DNA sample shall be marked with a unique DNA-COD Identification Number.
- (A) The barcode including the unique identification number shall be placed in the space provided on the preprinted white submittal envelope containing the sample.
(i) Initial Evaluation of Envelope Contents - Whole blood DNA-COD samples: - (i) The plastic transport tube with tamper proof cap shall be removed from the white submittal envelope and inspected for integrity.
- (ii) The blood tube seal integrity shall be evaluated.
- (iii) The subject's name on the blood tube shall be verified with the subject's name on the front of the white submittal envelope.
- (iv) The blood tube sample shall be removed from the transport container, transferred into a bubble pack and replaced into the white submittal envelope for short term storage in the DNA evidence refrigerator until processed.
(j) Initial Evaluation of Envelope Contents - Blood-spot DNA-COD samples: - (i) The cassette enclosing the blood-spot cards shall be inspected for integrity.
- (ii) The kit shall be inspected to verify that two (2) blood-spot cards are present.
- (iii) The subject's name on the blood-spot cards will be verified with the subject's name on the front of the white submittal envelope.
(k) Initial Evaluation of Envelope Contents - Buccal DNA-COD samples: - (i) The envelope enclosing the buccal collectors shall be inspected for integrity.
- (ii) The kit shall be inspected to verify that two (2) buccal collectors are present.
- (iii) The buccal collectors shall be inspected to verify the protective covers are in place.
- (iv) Upon opening of the envelope enclosing the buccal collectors, the subject's name on the buccal collector shall be verified with the subject's name on the front of the white submittal envelope.
- (v) The buccal collection paper shall be visually inspected for integrity.
(l) Sample Processing Procedures - Bio-hazard safety procedures in accordance with the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory safety program shall be followed when handling biological samples. Each sample shall be handled and examined one at a time.
(m) Sample Spotting Procedure (Whole Blood Only) - Bio-hazard safety procedures in accordance with the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory safety program shall be followed when handling biological samples. In addition, gloves shall be worn at all times and changed with each sample. Each sample shall be handled, examined and spotted one at a time to avoid possible cross contamination.
(n) Buccal Sample Preparation Procedure - Bio-hazard safety procedures in accordance with the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory safety program shall be followed when handling biological samples. In addition, gloves shall be worn at all times and changed with each sample. Each sample shall be handled, examined and prepared one at a time to avoid possible cross contamination.