The laboratory management of a medicolegal specimen

The medicolegal specimen refers to any material, biologic or nonbiologic, that is analyzed by the laboratory as part of an investigative procedure, the results of which may be presented as evidence in a court of law. The medicolegal specimen is an example of physical evidence and has an intrinsic credibility based on the reliability of the person handling it, the reliability of methods of laboratory analysis and the reliability of testimony with relationship to the interpretations of the findings. Aspects of specimen integrity, re: chain of custody, sample collection, specifications for samples and utilization of samples, are outlined. The responsibilities for the management of the specimen are defined and discussed with suggested guidelines recommended.