Retention of Biological Samples: In a DUI case, how long is long enough?

Retention of Biological Samples: In a DUI case, how long is long enough?

On May 9, 2013, in Chemistry, DNA, Ethics: Scientist, GC-FID & GC/MS, Laboratory Procedure, Phlebotomy, SANE / Safe Nurse Examination, Trace Evidence, by Justin J. McShane

Suppose the following: You are driving home. You get stopped by the police. You are arrested for DUI. You are requested and give a sample of your blood. The blood goes to a laboratory and is analyzed. The results get transmitted to the police a few days later. The  police type it up a few […]

Hemolysis in a blood sample when using headspace analysis by GC-FID

Hemolysis in a blood sample when using headspace analysis by GC-FID

On December 21, 2011, in Chemistry, Equipment, GC-FID & GC/MS, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

Hemolysis is a particular problem in the proper quantification of EtOH in a blood sample. First let’s define what it is: What does it look like? Red blood cells without (left and middle) and with (right) hemolysis. If as little as 0.5% of the red blood cells are hemolyzed, the released hemoglobin will cause the […]

The Particular Witness Rule as established in Bullcoming v. New Mexico

The Particular Witness Rule as established in Bullcoming v. New Mexico

On June 23, 2011, in Chemistry, Ethics, Ethics: Lawyer, General Information, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

SPECIAL EDITION NEWS FLASH: [Full Disclosure: I was one of the co-authors on the NACDL/NCDD amicus curiae briefs in the case of Bullcoming v. New Mexico. You can hear the audio of the oral argument here. I have waited several hours on purpose to post here in order to try to remain objective.] On September […]

Expired Blood Tubes-What’s the Big Deal??

Expired Blood Tubes-What’s the Big Deal??

On October 12, 2010, in Chemistry, Forensic Discipline, Laboratory Procedure, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

So you have a case where the state used expired blood tubes and they want to perform analytical chemistry for either Drugs of Abuse testing or ETOH testing.  So what’s the big deal about that???? Well I am so glad that you asked…. Simple.  Unlike what most people think it has nothing to do with […]

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 13

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 13

On October 7, 2010, in Chemistry, Equipment, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Forensic Discipline, General Information, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Lectures, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

The above is Part Thirteen from a lecture given by Attorney Justin J. McShane before the North Carolina Advocates for Justice “Advanced DWI Seminar”. This seminar happened on February 26, 2010. It was organized and hosted by John K. Fanney, Esquire of Fanney & Jackson, P.C. The following is a transcript of this video: In […]

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 12

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 12

On September 30, 2010, in Chemistry, Equipment, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Forensic Discipline, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Lectures, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

The above is Part Twelve from a lecture given by Attorney Justin J. McShane before the North Carolina Advocates for Justice “Advanced DWI Seminar”. This seminar happened on February 26, 2010. It was organized and hosted by John K. Fanney, Esquire of Fanney & Jackson, P.C. The following is a transcript of this video: You […]