In addition to unique patient identifiers (e.g., medical record number, specimen identification number), labels should convey the collector’s initials and date and time of collection so that law enforcement officials may trace the specimen to the collector, should investigations lead to legal action and the collector has to testify regarding collection of the specimen.

Maintain a list of names with corresponding specimen identification numbers at the collection site so that results can be reported to patients. It is recommended to record additional data for use in the interpretation of results. Additional data may include time of potential exposure, method of urine collection if other than “clean catch,” indication if sample was collected postmortem, and antidotes administered prior to sample collection.