· Attack to collection time. State the length of time after alleged attack when sample/specimen was taken.
· Circumstances of acquisition. Describe how the sample/specimen was obtained and the source of the sample/specimen.
· Physical description. Describe the physical state of the sample/specimen (solid, liquid, powder, apparent viscosity), color, approximate size, identity of the sample/specimen (that is, dirt, leaves, blood, tissue), and dose rate (if radiologically contaminated).
· Circumstances of the agent deposition. Describe the type of delivery system, a description of how the weapon functioned, how the agent acted on release, sounds heard during dissemination, a description of any craters or shrapnel found associated with the burst, and colors of smoke, flames, or mists that may be associated with the attack.
· Agent effects on vegetation. Describe the general area (jungle, mountain, grassland) and changes in the vegetation after the agent deposition (that is, color change, wilting, drying, dead) in the main attack and fringe areas.
· Agent effects on humans. How the agent affected personnel in the main attack area versus fringe areas; the duration of agent effects; peculiar odors that may have been noticed in the area before, during, or after an attack; measures taken that alleviated or worsened the effects; and the approximate number of victims and survivors (include age and gender).
· Agent effects on animals. Describe how they are affected.
· Grid coordinates or other descriptive information on sample collection location.
B-3. Sample/Specimen Collection and Preservation
_a._ _Ante mortem Specimens._ Physiological specimens from living human or animal patients can include just about any conceivable body source or excreted by-product. It must be noted that specimen types are seldom interchangeable; the exact type and amount of specimen required for a specific assay must be known before a collection procedure is initiated (see Table B-1).
· Patients seen in an MTF may be the first and in some cases the only source for sampling for suspect biological agent release. The primary medical care provider will determine the level of treatment for these patients and the specimens required for laboratory diagnosis. The MTF laboratory is not equipped to handle biological agents and, therefore, specimens generated will be forwarded to the supporting medical laboratory for analysis. Patient disposition will be based on evacuation policies, exposure, suspect agent, clinical symptoms, and required treatment/isolation.