Table 2.

Recommendations of the Polish Society of Forensic Medicine and Criminology regarding postmortem sample collection

Autopsy material for additional examinations

1 swab from the back of the nasal passages 2 swabs from the lower respiratory tract (from each lung) A standard set of organ pieces (immersed in formaldehyde) for a microscopic examination with an additional collection of samples from the mainstream bronchus Blood sample for a possible biochemical tests Optional collection of other samples or swabs for determining the markers of sepsis or inflammation

Handling with the autopsy material

Swab sticks should be made of plastic with a proper transfer medium dedicated for virological tests (ready-to-use-swabs) Samples should be signed previously to swab collection Samples should be immediately sent to the laboratory; in such cases, a sample should be placed in ice to provide an optimal temperature (5 ± 3 °C). In cases when a sample must be stored for more than 24 h, it should be frozen at a temperature of -70 °C. In such circumstances, the samples should be transported to the laboratory in dry ice