Test ID ADLTX Adulterants Survey, Chain of Custody, Random, Urine
Specimen Required
Supplies: Chain of Custody Kit (T282)
Container/Tube: Chain-of-custody kit containing the specimen containers, seals, and documentation required.
Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen in the provided container, seal, and submit with the associated documentation to satisfy the legal requirements for chain-of-custody testing.
Additional Information: Submitting less than 1.5 mL will compromise the ability to perform all necessary testing.
Forms
1. Chain of Custody Request is included in the Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282).
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
Useful For
Assess the possible adulteration of a urine specimen submitted for drug of abuse testing, as well as for providing the urine creatinine for "creatinine normalization"
Chain of custody is required whenever the results of testing could be used in a court of law. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the individual contributing the specimen by demonstrating that it was under the control of personnel involved with testing the specimen at all times; this control implies that the opportunity for specimen tampering would be limited.
Additional Tests
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |
Testing Algorithm
See Adulterant Survey Algorithm in Special Instructions.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Spectrophotometry
Reporting Name
Adulterants Survey, CoC, USpecimen Type
UrineSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | |
---|---|---|---|
Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days | ||
Ambient | 72 hours |
Clinical Information
Specimen adulteration is the manipulation of a sample that may cause false-negative test results for the presence of drugs of abuse. Common adulterants that may affect testing are water, soap, bleach, vinegar, oxidants, and salt. The adulteration testing includes assessment of creatinine concentration, pH, urine specific gravity, presence or absence of an oxidant, and presence or absence of nitrite.
Chain of custody is a record of the disposition of a specimen to document each individual who collected the specimen, handled it, and performed the analysis. When a specimen is submitted in this manner, analysis will be performed in such a way that it will withstand regular court scrutiny.
Reference Values
Cutoff concentrations
Oxidants: 200 mg/L
Nitrites: 500 mg/L
Cautions
No significant cautionary statements
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
2 to 3 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
81005