Sample Chain of Custody

Rachel McCarthy, NEPDNAmanda Hodges, SPDNPlayers designed by Molly Swartwood, Cornell University

First Detectors

Garden Staff & VolunteersTrained First Detectors

Secondary Inspection

Extension Agents State Laboratories

Diagnostic Confirmation

Regional Laboratories• Five designated

laboratories throughout the US.

• Northeast Region- Cornell University

Federal Laboratories• APHIS PPQ NIS -

National Identification Service

• USDA ARS SEL CTSU- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Communication and Taxonomic Services Unit

• APHIS PPQ CPHST- Center For Plant Health, Science and Technology

Communicating Results

State Plant Health Director (SPHD) & State Plant Regulatory Officials (SPRO)

Responsible for coordinating a response to the diagnosis and deciding how and when results are discussed between the involved parties.

• For routine samples all parties involved with sample submission are notified.

• However, if a sample is suspect to be and/or is confirmed to be positive for an organism of regulatory concern the State Plant Health Director and State Plant Regulatory Officials are notified of the results first.

Sample Chain of Custody & Communication