Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 8, April 23, 2024
Section 7.33.2.15 - APPROVED METHODS FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND RETENTIONA. Blood sample collection. (1) Blood samples shall be collected in the presence of the arresting officer or other responsible person who can authenticate the samples. Blood samples shall be collected by veni-puncture as authorized by the New Mexico Implied Consent Act NMSA 1978, Sections 66-8-105 et. seq. The term laboratory technician shall include phlebotomists.(2) The initial blood samples should be collected within three hours of arrest. Any blood samples collected subsequent to the initial blood or breath sample collection should be collected within 60 minutes of the initial sample collection.(3) Ethyl alcohol shall not be used as a skin antiseptic in the course of collecting blood samples. The samples shall be dispensed or collected using an SLD-approved blood collection kit. SLD-approved blood collection kit will contain two or more sterile tubes with sufficient sodium fluoride so that the final concentration shall contain not less than 1.0 percent sodium fluoride. In the case of an insufficient sample, it shall be permissible to collect the sample in one tube only.(4) The blood samples shall be delivered to SLD or a laboratory certified by SLD to conduct tests for alcohol or other drug content. At the laboratory, the seal shall be broken on one tube and the blood shall be analyzed. If necessary it shall be permissible to open more than one sample tube.(5) The samples of blood shall be retained by the laboratory which performed the initial alcohol or drug testing for a period of not less than six months. Any interested party may request the laboratory retain the samples longer than 6 months. The request must be made in writing and include: the name of the donor of the sample; the date of arrest; the arresting agency; the county of arrest and; if available, any laboratory identification numbers.(6) Retained samples shall be made available upon receipt of a court order directing the laboratory to release a portion of the remaining sample to a testing facility specified by the requesting party. The laboratory which performed the initial alcohol or drug testing is not responsible for the transport of the retained samples.B. Breath sample collection. (1) Samples of the subject's breath shall be collected and analyzed pursuant to the procedures prescribed by SLD and employing only SLD approved equipment and certified instruments.(2) Breath samples shall be collected and analyzed by certified operators or certified key operators and shall be end expiratory in composition. The breath test operator should make a good faith attempt to collect and analyze at least two samples of breath. Breath shall be collected only after the certified operator or certified key operator has ascertained that the subject has not had anything to eat, drink or smoke for at least 20 minutes prior to collection of the first breath sample. If during this time the subject eats, drinks or smokes anything, another 20 minute deprivation period must be initiated. The two breath samples shall be taken not more than 15 minutes apart. If the difference in the results of the two samples exceeds 0.02 grams per 210 liters (BrAC), a third sample of breath or blood shall be collected and analyzed. If the subject declines or is physically incapable of consent for the second or third samples, it shall be permissible to analyze fewer samples.7.33.2.15 NMAC - Rp, 7.33.2.12 NMAC, 04-30-2010