Method of providing a proper on-site evidence chain for a combined drug test/DNA preservation protocol

• US 9,072,425 B1
• Filed: 03/04/2014
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stuart Bogema
• Original Assignee: Stuart Bogema
• Inventors: Bogema, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): SIEFKE, SAMUEL P
• Application Number:
  US14/196,684
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0006 involving a colour change
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0009 Testing for drug or alcohol abuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1477 non-invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4845 Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products A61B5/4848 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis

Abstract

A combination of an on-site drug testing protocol and effective secure evidentiary procedure to ensure veracity and chain of possession for prosecution purposes is provided. Additionally, the procedural method includes a combined secure adhesive attachment to a drug test that serves as both an information collector and preservation device. The overall method thus includes steps of having a test subject apply oral fluids to a test device, covering and sealing the device, and taking real-time information and photographs into a time-stamp system and supplying such information and photographs instantly to a secure database. The oral fluids are thus preserved by the information-providing seal under a proper cover component to ensure DNA material is permitted for authenticity purposes as well. The overall protocol thus accords an all-encompassing evidentiary chain model at a highly trustworthy level if needed in a courtroom setting.

Claims

1. A drug test/result recordation and test subject identification method,

wherein said method includes, as components:

1) an oral collection immunoassay device including a collection end and a visual readout end, wherein said collection end includes a removable and re-attachable cover, wherein said device is utilized to collect saliva from a test subject'"'"'s mouth in order to determine the presence and/or amount of analytes therein that indicate said test subject'"'"'s use or nonuse of certain narcotics through inspection of said visual readout;

2) an optional specific seal implement including a unique and permanent identifier thereon in relation to the specific oral collection immunoassay device;

3) an on-line application that is instituted within a remote communication/photograph-taking device; and

4) a central record depository coordinated with said remote communication/photograph-taking device;

wherein said method involves the following steps;

a) subjecting a test subject to said oral collection immunoassay device in order to determine if narcotic use has been undertaken by said test subject, wherein said test subject applies a saliva sample from his or her mouth to an uncovered collection end and results are then provided within said visual readout end indicating use and/or amount of narcotics present within said test subject'"'"'s saliva sample;

b) placing said cover over said uncovered collection end and applying said seal implement over at least a portion of said covered collection end and a portion of said visual readout end simultaneously, wherein said seal implement does not impede viewing of said visual readout;

c) recording test subject information as well as said test results through accessing said on-line application within said to enter the test subject'"'"'s identifying information, including written information and photographic information of the test subject, the test subject'"'"'s identification, the entirety of said test subject'"'"'s oral collection immunoassay device indicating the test results through said visual readout, and the optional applied seal implement, wherein all of said written and photographic information is recorded and date- and time-stamped within said remote communication/photograph-taking device; and

d) transferring said written documentation and said photograph information from said remote communication/photograph-taking device to said central depository, wherein said information is date- and time-stamped at said central depository upon receipt thereby;

wherein said stored information is accessible for retrieval at a later date.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said seal implement is present therein.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said method includes the further steps of recording the unique identification of said seal implement and providing written documentation of said test subject onto said applied seal implement.