Industry Standards

According to the Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), standard best practices include:

Utilizing certified laboratories and trained collectors
Maintaining strict Chain of Custody procedures
Ensuring test confidentiality and proper Medical Review Officer (MRO) oversight
Conducting pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing where applicable

Testing panels typically include substances such as THC, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and emerging synthetic drugs.

DOT Requirements for Drug Testing

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates drug and alcohol testing for more than 6 million safety-sensitive transportation employees nationwide. Under 49 CFR Part 40, DOT-regulated testing must be:

Conducted using a federally approved Custody and Control Form (CCF)
Collected by DOT-qualified personnel
Tested by a SAMHSA-certified laboratory
Reviewed by a licensed MRO
Observed testing is required for Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up testing

DOT drug panels include marijuana (THC), cocaine, amphetamines, opioids (including synthetic opioids), and PCP.

What Is Expected from a Drug Testing Program

Effective drug testing programs are expected to:

Deter substance use in the workplace and schools
Protect public safety by identifying impaired individuals
Support rehabilitation through early detection
Ensure compliance with federal, state, or industry regulations

Employers, parents, and school administrators rely on drug testing to make informed decisions, reduce liability, and protect those they serve.

Industry best practices, set by organizations such as the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments), require that:

DNA samples are collected using sterile, non-invasive swabs
Consent is obtained prior to testing (especially for minors)
Chain of custody is maintained for legal and court-admissible tests
Testing is performed in AABB-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratories
Results are interpreted and verified by trained professionals

DNA testing is used in a wide range of scenarios including paternity and family relationship determination, immigration, adoption, criminal investigations, and genetic health analysis.

What Is Expected From DNA Testing

DNA testing is expected to deliver:

Extremely high accuracy (up to 99.99% certainty in paternity testing)
Fast turnaround times (typically 1–3 business days for legal paternity results)
Confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA, legal, and ethical standards
Reliable results that can stand up in court or immigration proceedings

Clients rely on DNA results for emotionally and legally sensitive decisions, so quality, professionalism, and discretion are essential.

National DNA Testing Statistics

Over 26 million people in the U.S. have taken some form of DNA test, driven by legal, medical, ancestry, and consumer health purposes.
Legal paternity and family relationship testing represents a major sector of DNA testing, with over 500,000 legal DNA tests conducted annually in the U.S.
The AABB and private labs report rising demand each year, especially for court-admissible and immigration-related testing.

DNA Testing in North Carolina

North Carolina sees an estimated 15,000–20,000 DNA tests annually, across legal, medical, and personal use cases.
The state’s use of DNA testing is growing due to increasing awareness of its role in child custody, legal documentation, and medical history clarification.

How DNA Testing Saves Lives and Solves Cases

Legal Justice: DNA has helped exonerate over 575 wrongly convicted individuals in the U.S., according to the Innocence Project.
Criminal Resolution: Forensic DNA is used in more than 95% of violent crime investigations, including cold cases and unidentified remains.
Medical Insight: Genetic health panels identify predispositions to cancers, heart disease, and hereditary conditions, allowing for early intervention.
Family Unity: Paternity and immigration testing helps reunite families, resolve custody disputes, and establish vital records.

Industry Standards in Drug Testing

DOT Requirements for Drug Testing

What Is Expected from a Drug Testing Program

Drug Testing Statistics in North Carolina

MedTest Group Commitment