UPDATES TO TOXICOLOGY SERVICES

Effective February 19, 2020 The following changes apply only to postmortem, sexual assault and “other” case types. There are NO CHANGES to impaired driving or opinion letter requests.

• The current "Analysis Request Check Sheet - Sexual Assault, Homicide, Drug Screening Cases" is being replaced by two forms. One for sexual assault cases ("Analysis Request Check Sheet - Sexual Assault") and one for postmortem cases (“Analysis Request Check Sheet - Postmortem"). This change will simplify and streamline the information collected for each.

• Cases requiring analysis that do not fit the description of a postmortem, sexual assault, or impaired driving case no longer require a check sheet. Please include all relevant information on the C-414.

• The new “Analysis Request Check Sheet - Sexual Assault” now requires investigators to choose the line of service - Alcohol Only or Alcohol and Drug. Investigators are encouraged to choose Alcohol Only when there is no information to suggest that drugs have been used and/or administered. Cases with Alcohol Only analysis will be associated with a faster turnaround time.

• The new “Analysis Request Check Sheet - Sexual Assault” now requires investigators to provide basic information regarding signs and symptoms experienced by the complainant to suggest alcohol and/or drug use and/or administration. If no information can be provided to suggest that testing for alcohol and/or drugs will be probative, the request will be denied.

As of February 20, 2020, the new check sheets will be available on the NFLS Information Centre. The older versions will no longer be accepted after February 19, 2020.