Patent Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided for evidence specimen collection having integral reagent holders to hold reagent vials and having drying agent or desiccant holding areas that permit the renewal of the desiccant and permit the introduction of variously size desiccant qualities to allow modulation of the specimen drying time to achieve early stabilization of specimens while holding the specimen in an isolated drying area during storage and shipment and for simultaneous collection of multiple evidence samples with simultaneous storage, drying, marking, evidence security and shipping provided and with the provision for simultaneous storage, drying, marking, evidence security and shipping provided for a control specimen.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and under 35 U.S.C. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/714,477 filed Feb. 27, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/305,497 filed Feb. 17, 2010 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/653,116 filed Jan. 12, 2007 based upon U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/758,855 filed Jan. 13, 2006 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/787,313 filed Apr. 16, 2007 based upon U.S. Provisional Application 60/792,057 filed Apr. 14, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/172,771 filed Apr. 25, 2009, based upon copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/699,807 filed Jan. 30, 2007 based upon U.S. Provisional Application 60/815,801 filed Jun. 22, 2006 all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is directed to apparatus and methods for field collection and transport and analysis of laboratory specimens and crime scene evidence samples. The field of the invention also relates to a method of modulating the drying time of such specimens or evidence samples after collection to achieve rapid drying of the specimens or evidence samples based on the quantity of specimen and the quantity of moisture present in the specimens or evidence samples. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present embodiments provide a specimen collection and drying and transport and storage device that can be used for laboratory and forensic purposes to gather samples and/or specimens and to then dry the sample and/or specimen during transport and/or storage prior to testing of the sample or specimen. All this can be accomplished in the present embodiments while providing assurance that the chain of custody has been preserved and that the collected specimen or sample has not been switched during the changing of the drying agent employed to dry the specimen. 
     More particularly, the embodiments relate to a specimen collection apparatus for collecting such samples and stabilizing the specimens and preserving them from contamination prior to laboratory analysis. Therefore, an apparatus is provided in which the specimen collector is enclosed after collection of the sample thereon to protect the sample from contamination. The embodiments also allow exposure of the specimen or evidence sample to a drying agent to dry and stabilize the specimen to promote specimen integrity by providing rapid drying soon after specimen collection. Further, the embodiments allow the user to renew, or change-out, exhausted drying agent without disturbing the specimen. And, the embodiments allow the user to select and insert variously sized desiccant packets to modulate the drying time of the collected specimen or sample depending upon user desires for the particular specimen or sample. 
     In one embodiment simultaneous, identical, dual specimen or sample collection is provided which allows two identical specimens to be simultaneously collected in one motion by the user and to then simultaneously deliver the dual and identical specimens to a single housing to thereby assure that the specimen or evidence samples receive simultaneous and identical protection, drying conditions and transport conditions. Further, the embodiment allows one of the two identical and simultaneously collected specimens to remain untouched or unused and to be archived without removal of the specimen from the original housing into which it was inserted after collection. This may be accomplished while allowing the other of the two identical and simultaneously collected specimens to be removed from the housing or for a portion thereof removed for testing. 
     Crime scene evidence is collected to establish facts related to a crime or a suspected crime and for identification and/or elimination of suspects and may be presented at a trial for the determination of guilt or innocence of accused individuals. Often, the evidence includes objects, documents, fingerprints, photographs of the scene, and the like. Additionally, the evidence may include unknown substances or substances with a suspected identity, where the identity needs to be determined or confirmed. Such substances may be very small in quantity, may be dispersed over a comparatively large area, and may include materials such as: body fluids, hairs, flakes of skin such as skin cells, fibers, drugs, various chemicals, gunpowder residue, flammable materials, tobacco ashes, cosmetics, and the like. Such materials may be collected at a scene and subjected to chemical and/or DNA analysis for identification or for association with a particular individual. 
     Currently, for collecting specimen samples, investigators typically use fibrous swabs, such as swabs made of fibers of cotton, cellulose, rayon, polyester, polyester foam and other types of fibers. Such swabs not only absorb liquids and solids suspended in liquids but also trap dry substances such as particulate materials. Prior to use, the swabs are kept in closed sterile bags or containers to maintain sterility. After specimen collection the swabs and are placed into a similar bag or container to avoid contamination of the sample gathered during transportation. Once the swab is placed in a container after specimen collection, the container is usually marked with a time, the date, the identity of the investigator and other information to establish a chain of custody of the sample. 
     Conventional swabs are formed of a “stick” such as a shaft of wood, tubular plastic, or tubular or rolled paper with a pad of cotton or other fiber, sponge material, or other absorbent material attached to the end of the shaft, either mechanically or by an inert adhesive. A problem with conventional swabs is that there is a danger of contamination of the sample if it is necessary to put the swab down, for example, to open a bag or container in which the swab will be placed. Also, if it is necessary to set the swab down to dry, in a propped up condition or extending over the edge of a table, there is a risk of contamination of the sample. 
     The present embodiments provide an apparatus and method for collecting solid, fluid or particulate evidence specimens related to any type of situation in which evidence collection is required. Such evidence collection can be associated with crime scenes or can simply be the collection of a DNA sample from a human being in the course of a traffic stop or a paternity investigation. Suitable specimens for collection using the present devices are, in general, that evidence which is located on a surface or on a human being and which can be physically contacted by an evidence collection device to thereby obtain a sample of the evidence. Examples of such evidence specimens might be any type of biological fluid, either wet or dried, such as blood, urine or saliva, or any unknown substance which is visible or invisible and which can be located allowing for collection of a specimen of the evidence and capture of such a sample on a specimen collector of the type described hereinafter. As previously mentioned, it will be appreciated that such specimen collection devices are widely used in criminal investigations, but also are used increasingly in traffic stop situations or traffic arrest situations in which it is desirable to obtain a DNA sample from the suspect as part of a criminal records database requirement. 
     Therefore, for proper evidence collection that can be used in court to support a conviction, it is necessary that investigators have at their disposal a device and method of collection that dries the collected specimen shortly after collection to promote sample integrity by stabilizing the specimen by drying. It is additionally important that the apparatus promotes accuracy of specimen collection and reproducibility of specimen collection and protection of specimens from contamination while providing a device that enables a verifiable chain of custody while allowing continuous renewal of drying agents positioned adjacent to the specimen and while providing quantified specimen dilution during collection procedures and all without contributing to contamination of the crime scene by introducing extraneous material into the crime scene. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first embodiment provides a specimen collector and container which may be used to collect a specimen with the container operating as a handle for the manipulation of the specimen collector and then subsequently the container may be used to receive the specimen collector therein for drying of the specimen within the container and for shipping of the specimen in a protected manner to an evidence room or to a laboratory and while a drying agent in the container, capable of being renewed without disturbing the specimen, speeds the drying of the collected specimen. 
     In another embodiment, the present device provides a specimen collector and container having all the above features and further providing the crime scene investigator with interchangeable, quantified specimen collection reagents and variable specimen collection reagents, which due to the device structure are fully and accurately absorbable by the specimen collection swab. 
     In another embodiment, the collection device provides for a swab on a specimen collector which swab can be conveniently detached from the specimen collector and specifically from the shaft connecting the swab to the specimen collector through use of a coaxially mounted tube which surrounds the shaft on which the swab is mounted. The coaxially mounted tube is provided with a terminal end which is located proximate to an area on the shaft where it is desired to have a point of breakage, or break-point location on the shaft, to separate the swab from the shaft to allow the swab to be separated from the specimen collector and to allow the swab to be deposited within a separate container. Another embodiment allow the swab to be pushed off the shaft by the use of he coaxially mounted tube. Yet another embodiment is provided with dual specimen collectors to allow simultaneous collection of identical specimens onto separate swabs. Yet another embodiment provides a reagent vial cap retaining stand or projection to provide a specific, reproducible storage location for placement of the vial cap to avoid introduction of the cap into the crime scene by an investigator removing the cap from a reagent vile and placing the cap on a surface that in or adjacent to the specimen to be collected and part of the crime scene. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front and right side perspective view of an embodiment showing the swab removed from the holder and the swab reversed and inserted into the neck of the holder to allow the holder to act as a handle for the swab during specimen collection procedures and showing fixed desiccant retainers holding the desiccant packets at a set distance from the area occupied by the swab when it is inserted into the holder; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom, back and left side exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the desiccant chamber cap spaced from the desiccant chamber and two desiccant packets removed from the desiccant chamber and showing within the desiccant chamber the fixed desiccant retainers or guards that hold the desiccant packets at a specific distance from the swab while allowing insertion of desiccant packets into desiccant chamber and showing the swab aligned for insertion into the holder for drying, transport and protection from contamination; 
         FIG. 3  is bottom, back and left side perspective view of an embodiment showing the swab inserted into the holder where is becomes positioned between the desiccant packets held in the desiccant chamber to permit drying of a specimen collected on the swab during storage and transportation of the swab within swab holder to a laboratory for analysis of the specimen; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom, back and left side exploded view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , but showing the desiccant being retained by multiple flexible retainers or guards that accommodate desiccant packets of various sizes and allow variation in the distance between the swab and the desiccant packet thereby allowing for variation in the speed of specimen drying and allow for accommodation of specimens of greater volume which may require a larger amount of desiccant in the packets to achieve the desired degree of specimen dryness during transport of the collected specimen in the holder; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the desiccant chamber of the holder showing the swab positioned within fixed retainers or guards, the retainers or guards being spaced from the swab and any specimen on the swab to keep the specimen out of contact with the desiccant packets during drying and/or transport and/or storage; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the desiccant chamber of the holder showing the swab positioned within a set of flexible retainers or guards the retainers being spaced from the swab, but being flexible at the point where the retainers contact the holder to permit the flexible retainers to accommodate variously sized desiccant packets to allow for variations in desired specimen drying time and variations in the specimen liquid content which can affect drying time as well as allowing for variation in the distance of the specimen from the desiccant which can change the drying time during storage and/or transport of the specimen. 
         FIG. 7  is a top, front and right side perspective view of an embodiment similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and having reagent holders mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom rear and left side perspective view of a first variation of the device and showing a “T-shaped” securing structure on the bottom of the embodiment for holding a vial to the bottom of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  shows a bottom and front and left side prospective view of a second variation of the device and showing a friction-fit “C-shaped” securing structure for holding a vial to the bottom of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  and showing of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  with the vial inside the exterior container held by the “C-shaped securing structure and showing the solid construction of central section or central member  20  which may be drilled through if desired to provide gas communication through the closure; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7  and showing reagent vials within the reagent holders and also showing the solid construction of central section or central member  20  which may be drilled through to provide gas communication through the closure; 
         FIG. 12  is a left side, front and bottom perspective view of another embodiment showing a reagent vial held in the bottom of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-section view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12  and showing the insertion of the reagent vial into a cavity in the bottom of the device and held there by a frictional fit; 
         FIG. 14  is a front right side and top perspective view of an embodiment of the embodiment having a vial formed in the sides of the device and a cap thereon with the structure of the embodiment walls also forming the walls of the vial; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-section view taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14  and showing the formation of the vials on the front and back sidewalls of the embodiment and showing the solid construction of central section or central member  20  which may be drilled through to provide gas communication through the closure; 
         FIG. 16  is a front, right side and top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and having a vial and cap insert that can be placed into a securing sleeve on the embodiment and having a cap receptacle for holding the vial cap to avoid contamination of a crime scene through the introduction of external materials into the crime scene such as the cap that closes the vial of the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a front, right side and top perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 22  and showing the cap removed from the vial and placed on the cap receptacle to hold the vial cap to avoid contamination of a crime scene through the introduction of external materials into the crime scene such as the cap that closes the vial of the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a front, right side and top perspective view of an alternate embodiment and showing the cap receptacle for holding the vial cap included as part of the cap that seals the body of the container; 
         FIG. 19  is a front, right side and top perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 18  and showing the cap removed from the vial and placed on the cap receptacle that is positioned on the cap that seals the body of the container; 
         FIG. 20  is a front and top perspective view of the vial and cap insert that may be used with the embodiment of  FIGS. 24 and 25  and other embodiments; 
         FIG. 21  shows an embodiment having dual swabs on dual shafts with each shaft having a break-off tube coaxially mounted on the shaft to allow for simultaneous, dual specimen collection by a user and showing the alignment indicator and closure rotation lock on the closure and on the holder that allows the user to properly align the dual swab collector on the holder to provide proper spacing of the swabs from the desiccant and showing dual vial carriers made integrally with the body of the device and showing a closure rotation indicator and locking structure on the neck of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  shows a cross-section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 21  taken along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21  and showing the neck of the embodiment of  FIG. 22  having the closure rotation indicator and locking structure  74  on the neck of the embodiment engaged with the closure rotation lock  75  on closure  18 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a front and top perspective view of a vial and cap insert that may be used with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 27 and 28  and other embodiments; 
         FIG. 24  shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a closure which can be used with the embodiments described herein and having a reagent vial insertable into the closure for transport of a swab solution therein; 
         FIG. 25  shows a swab being separated from the shaft by use of a break-off tube coaxially mounted on the swab shaft. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present inventions are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
       FIGS. 1-24  relate to embodiments of a unitized apparatus for collection and/or drying and/or transport and/or analysis apparatus  10  and a method for modulating drying time of the specimen through the use of user selectable and user sizeable desiccants and user renewable desiccants. Apparatus  10  comprises, generally, a swab mounted on a shaft, the shaft connected to a closure, and a housing or holder having a drying chamber containing a desiccant. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-6  are generally similar in construction but different in the means by which the desiccant is retained within the holder. The embodiments of  FIGS. 7-19  include quantified reagent holders. 
     First referring to  FIGS. 1-4  the unitized apparatus for collection and/or drying and/or transport and/or analysis apparatus  10  will be described. In  FIG. 1  specimen collector  12  comprises a swab  14  mounted on a first end of a shaft  16  with the second end of the shaft connected to a closure  18 . The closure  18  comprises a central member  20  having a stopper  22   a ,  22   b  extending from each of the two opposed sides of the central member. The specimen collector  12  further comprises a break-off tube  24  mounted coaxially on the shaft  16 . The tube  24  is formed of a material that has greater rigidity than the material used to form shaft  16 . A first end, of tube  24  is connected to closure  18  and a second end of tube  24  is configured to terminate at a selected location along shaft  16  at which it is desired to break shaft  16  to achieve separation of swab  14  and the portion of the shaft to which swab  14  is mounted from the remainder of shaft  16 . This location on shaft  16  is referred to as the break-point location and will vary depending on the length of break-tube  24  that is mounted on shaft  16 . Alternatively the break-tube  24  may be connected into closure  18  in a separable manner to allow tube  24  to be pulled from connection with closure  18  and pressed along or slid along shaft  16  until it contacts swab  14  whereupon it can be used to force swab  14  off of shaft  16  and into a container or other receptacle. 
     For clarity this type of separation of swab  14  from specimen collector  12  is shown in  FIG. 25 . In  FIG. 25 , it may be seen that swab  14  is pressed against a solid surface such as the side of container  250  and a bending motion is applied by the user to press swab  14  back toward tube  24  and closure  18 . Upon sufficient pressure being applied, the shaft  16  will break at or near the terminus of tube  24 . Then swab  14  and the portion of shaft  16  to which swab  14  is connected will separate from the portion of shaft  16  that is connected to closure  18 . This allows the swab and the specimen that is collected onto the swab to be separated from the remainder of device  10  and separately placed into a reaction tube for analysis and/or an alternate container for shipment. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 1  it will be appreciated that closure  18  comprising central member  20  and having a stopper  22   a ,  22   b  extending from each of the two opposed sides of the central member is shown with stopper  22   a  having shaft  16  and tube  24  connected thereto and with stopper  22   b  inserted into neck  26  of housing  28  of apparatus  10 .  FIG. 1  presents the embodiment in its open position. In the open position, specimen collector  12  has been removed from housing  28  and the closure  18  has been reversed and inserted into opening  30  ( FIG. 2 ) of the neck  26  of housing  28  from which closure  18  and swab  14  on shaft  16  and break-off tube  24  were just removed. This reversal and insertion allows housing  28  to act as a handle for manipulating the swab  14  of specimen collector  12  during the collection of a specimen onto swab  14 . The relatively large, flat surface of desiccant chamber  32  fits securely into the palm of the hand and provides a flat surface that will prevent rolling of the apparatus  10  if it is placed on a surface. When positioned on a surface the edge of closure  18  extends laterally beyond swab  14  and keeps swab  14  separated from any contact with adjacent contaminating surfaces. The closed position for apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 3  wherein specimen collector  12  has been inserted into housing  28  and stopper  22   a  of closure  18  has been inserted into opening  30  ( FIG. 2 ) of the neck  26  of housing  28  so that stopper  22   a  of closure  18  having swab  14  on shaft  16  and break-off tube  24  connected thereto all are inserted into housing  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4  the housing  28  being further comprised of desiccant chamber  32  connected to neck  26  of housing  28 , will be described. Desiccant chamber  32  is provided with resealable cover  34  that forms the bottom of housing  28 . Cover  34  may be generally flat to allow apparatus  10  to stand on a surface. Cover  34  may be removably connected to desiccant chamber  32  or it may be permanently sealed to close chamber  32 . It will be appreciated that the permanent sealing of chamber  32  by cover  34  may be accomplished at the time of manufacture or upon the insertion of a specimen on swab  14  into housing  28  or cover  34  may be used to permanently seal housing  28  at any time thereafter. Desiccant packets  36  of  FIGS. 2  and  4  have been removed from desiccant chamber  32  to better show the fixed retainers  38  ( FIG. 2 ) and flexible retainers  40  ( FIG. 4 ) that hold desiccant packets  36  in position within desiccant chamber  32 . It will be appreciated from the  FIGS. 2 and 4  that fixed retainers extend from a sidewall of desiccant chamber  32  and flexible retainers are a plurality of flexible finger-like structures that extend downwardly from the top of desiccant chamber  32  and can accommodate desiccant packets of various sizes and shapes by flexing toward and away from the swab isolation area  41 . When swab  14  is positioned within housing  28 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , it may be seen that swab  14  situated between the retainers  38  ( FIG. 2 ) or within retainers  40  ( FIG. 4 ) in a swab isolation area  41  with the retainers  38 ,  40  holding desiccant packets  20  away from swab  14 . It will be appreciated that swab  14  is positioned between, but not contacted by, desiccant packets  36  to avoid contamination of swab  14 . 
     In  FIG. 4  an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2  is shown in an exploded view. In  FIG. 4  desiccant chamber cover  34  is separated from the desiccant chamber  32  and the two desiccant packets  36  have been removed from the desiccant chamber  32 . Visible within the desiccant chamber  32  are the flexible retainers  40  that allow variable spacing of the desiccant packets  36  from the swab  14 . It will be appreciated that the flexible nature of flexible retainers  40  allows insertion of variously sized desiccant packets  36  into desiccant chamber  32 . This is accomplished by the flexible retainers  40  being able to bend inwardly toward swab  14  to expand the distance between flexible retainers  40  and the walls comprising desiccant housing  32 . Due to this repositionable nature of flexible retainers  40 , user selectable quantities of desiccant and variable volumes of desiccant and variable sizes of desiccant packets can be introduced by the user into desiccant chamber  32  to change the drying time of a specimen captured on swab  14 . Desiccant packets  36  are positioned to be in close proximity to swab  14  to absorb moisture from the specimen that is collected on swab  14 . As the proximity of desiccant to moisture has a direct correlation to the rapidity of drying, it will be appreciated that the close, but spaced, proximity of the desiccant to swab  14  is particularly efficacious in speeding the drying of moisture that may be on swab  14 . Such variation is made possible by flexible retainers  40 . It also will be appreciated that resealable cover  34  permits the replacement of desiccant packets  36  at anytime during the use of device  10  and without the need to disturb swab  14  and/or any specimen thereon. 
     In  FIG. 3  a perspective view is shown of the device  10  of  FIGS. 2 and 4  with swab  14  inserted into housing  28 . In this position swab  14  is positioned between desiccant packets  34  for drying and is protected within housing  28  for transport and/or storage. It may be observed that swab  14  is positioned between guards  38 . In  FIG. 3  a portion of the desiccant packets  36  have been removed and a portion of the wall of desiccant chamber  32  has been removed for clarity. 
     It will be understood that in  FIG. 3 , closure  18  has been reinserted into neck  26  to dispose swab  14  and shaft  16  and break-off tube  24  within housing  28 . This positioning places swab  14  disposed between retainers  38 ,  40  and within desiccant chamber  32 . It will be appreciated that flexible retainers  40  extend beyond the bottom of swab  14  to prevent objects inserted into desiccant chamber  32  from making inadvertent contact with swab  14 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with desiccant chamber cover  34  removed, as shown in  FIG. 4 , that desiccant chamber  32  is open and accessible. It is in this configuration that desiccant packets  36  can be inserted, removed, renewed or increased or decreased in size by the user as may be indicated by the needs of the particular specimen on swab  14  or the need to speed up or slow down drying of the specimen on swab  14 . It also may be observed in  FIGS. 5 and 7  that closure  18  may be provided with air holes  33  that extend through closure  18 . Air holes  33  can aid in the drying of the specimen and air holes  33  can be excluded from the embodiment completely if desired. 
     In  FIG. 5  the fixed or rigid retainers  38  and the swab  14  are shown from a bottom view into desiccant chamber  32 . In this view it may be seen that swab  14  is positioned between retainers  38  and spaced therefrom so as not to contact retainers  38  or the walls of desiccant chamber  32 . Desiccant holding areas  42  extending between retainers  38  and the walls of desiccant chamber  32  are best observed in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . It will be appreciated that variously sized desiccant packets  36  can be inserted into desiccant holding areas  42  during drying and/or transport and/or storage. Once the desiccant packets  36  have become exhausted by absorption of moisture they may be replaced. This is accomplished by removing cover  34  withdrawing exhausted desiccant packets  36  and inserting new desiccant packets  36 . Once replacement has been accomplished, the desiccant chamber resealable cover  34  may be replaced to again close desiccant chamber  32  to the outside. 
     In  FIG. 6  the flexible guards  40  and the swab  14  are shown from a bottom view into desiccant chamber  32 . In this view it may be seen that swab  14  is positioned within flexible guards  40  and spaced therefrom so as not to contact flexible guards  40  or the walls of desiccant chamber  32 . It will be appreciated that the ends of flexible guard  40  bend inwardly to operate to deflect material, such as desiccant packets  36  when they enter desiccant chamber  32 , from contacting swab  14  and any specimen thereon. Desiccant holding areas  42  extending between flexible guards  40  and the walls of desiccant chamber  32 . It will be appreciated that as flexible guards  40  may be pushed away from desiccant chamber  32  walls that variously sized desiccant packets  36  can be inserted into desiccant holding areas  42  during drying and/or transport and/or storage. Once the desiccant packets  36  have been inserted, the desiccant chamber resealable cover  34  may be replaced to again close desiccant chamber  32  to the outside. It will be appreciated that the flexible guards  40  in particular allow the user to select and insert variously sized desiccant packets to modulate the drying time of the collected specimen or sample depending upon user desires for the particular specimen or sample. In addition the flexible guards  40  permit larger desiccant packet volumes to approach more closely to the swab  14  as it resides in the swab isolation area  41  since the flexible guards  40  can move inwardly toward the swab thereby placing the desiccant closer to the specimen. This configuration will modulate the drying of the specimen as the closer proximity of the desiccant to the moisture of the specimen on the swab will decrease the drying time of the specimen and enhance the stability of the collected specimen by drying the specimen faster. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  an embodiment of a type shown in  FIGS. 1-6  is shown further comprising the addition of reagent holders mounted on the top of desiccant chamber  32 . Reagent holders  50   a ,  50   b  extend from desiccant chamber  32  and are molded in unitary fashion with desiccant chamber  32 . The reagent holders  50   a ,  50   b  are comprised of a body  52   a ,  52   b  and a cap  54   a ,  54   b . Caps  54   a ,  54   b  may be of the screw type or the friction fit type of cap. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , embodiments are shown having the reagent holders  50  mounted on desiccant chamber removable cover  34 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , reagent holder  50  is held within an indention formed in cover  34 . The indention being sufficient to allow the entirety of reagent holder  50  to sit within the indention while yet allowing apparatus  10  to stand on a flat surface with resalable cover  34 . Such contact with the surface is shown in  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8 , reagent holder  50  is retained within indention  56  by a tongue and groove shaped arrangement with the groove being within the bottom of the reagent holder  50  and the tongue extending from removable cover  34  and being configured to be mateable with the groove in the bottom of the reagent holder  50 . In  FIG. 9 , the reagent holder  50  is retained within indention  56  by C-shaped which provides a frictional fit capture of the reagent holder  50  within the C-shaped retaining clip. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a cross-section view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  is shown. In  FIG. 10 , it can be seen that a device of similar construction to the device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is shown having desiccant holding areas  42  and retainers  38  and a swab  14  on shaft  16  having tube  24  coaxially mounted thereon. Also shown in  FIG. 10  is reagent vial  60  which is in reagent holder  50 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that using a separate reagent vial  60  held within a reagent holder  50  that different reagent compositions and of different volumes may be rapidly and easily substituted into reagent holder  50  by simple substitution of a different reagent vial  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a cross-section view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7  is shown. In  FIG. 11 , reagent holders  50  are shown to either side of neck  26  with each vial  60  having a cap  62  thereon and reagent holder  50  having its own cap  50   a  serving to retain vial  60  within reagent holder  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an embodiment is shown having reagent vial  60  inserted into a depression formed in the surface of desiccant chamber receivable cover  34 . In  FIG. 13 , a cross-section view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12  is shown. In FIG.  13 , the cross-section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12  shows that cover  34  is provided with an indention  64  which is configured to capture vial  60  therein by a frictional fit between the bottom of vial  60  and the walls of indention  64 . 
     In  FIGS. 14 and 15 , yet another embodiment of the reagent holder on the apparatus is shown. In  FIG. 14 , it can be seen that the reagent vial  60  is formed integrally with the sidewall of desiccant chamber  32 . This may be more clearly seen in  FIG. 15 , which is a cross-section view taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . In  FIG. 15 , reagent vial  60  is shown as comprising an indention in the sidewall of desiccant chamber  32  and having cap  62  thereon to seal reagent vial  60 . 
     Referring now to embodiments shown in  FIGS. 16-20 , embodiments having reagent holders and reagent vials are shown but also having the added advantage of having a cap stand included in the embodiment to retain a reagent holder cap or a reagent vial cap and to provide secure, reproducible placement in the keeping of the reagent or vial cap thereby to avoid loss of the vial cap and to avoid contamination of a crime scene in particular. The cap receptacle allows the evidence collection technician to avoid contamination of a crime scene by the inadvertent introduction of external materials into the crime scene. Specifically, the receptacle allows the cap that closes the vial to be placed in a specific, anticipated, repeatable location that is a part of the equipment brought to the scene by the evidence collection technician. In this manner the evidence collection technician will always know where to put the cap and where to locate it at the conclusion of the specimen collection. This provides a consistent and repeatable activity that can become a part of the evidence collection technicians method of practice and thereby reduce the introduction of external materials and potential extraneous DNA that might contaminate the crime scene. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , an embodiment is shown having a cap stand  70  extending from neck  26  of holder  28 . In  FIG. 17 , it can be seen that a cap  62  has been removed from reagent vial  60  and has been placed onto cap holder  70  where cap  62  is retained during the course of a collection procedure performed with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 . It also will be appreciated that having the reagent holder  50  and reagent vial  60  positioned in upright fashion on the top of desiccant chamber  32  allows the investigator, particularly a crime scene investigator, to have the reagent contained in reagent vial  60  available for use in wetting the swab  14  which is attached to closure  18  without a need to attempt to manipulate additional devices and structures to wet the swab  14  or to find a suitable location to place holder  28  within the crime scene to free a hand to hold the reagent vial  60  while wetting swab  14  of a specimen collector  12  with a suitable reagent such as that which is contained in reagent vial  60  for a specimen collection. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , an alternate embodiment is shown and which is similar to the embodiments of  FIGS. 16 and 17  but in which the cap stand  70  is formed in the top of stopper  22   b  of closure  18 . It will be appreciated that the embodiment of  FIG. 18  operates in similar manner to the embodiment described in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . Such similar operation is shown in  FIG. 19  wherein a cap  62  has been removed from a vial  60  and the cap  62  has been placed upon cap stand  70  which extends from stopper  22   b  closure  18 . In  FIG. 20 , reagent vial  60  is shown of the type used in many of the embodiments described herein. Vial  60  is provided with longitudinal projections  64  which are compressible and which enhance the friction fit of reagent vial  60  within reagent holder  50  and which allow the passage of air in and about the sidewall of reagent vial  60  and the sidewall of reagent holder  50  when the two are insertably joined together as shown in  FIG. 19 . The importance of this feature will be appreciated by those skilled in the art who have contended with a moisture seal between two closely fitted surfaces and the barrier to separation of the two structures caused by the moisture seal preventing the intrusion of air and causing a need to overcome a vacuum which is created between the two surfaces when the withdrawal of the objects from insertion, one within the other, is attempted. Projection  64  assists in such separation while also providing secure frictional fit between vial  60  and reagent holder  50 . 
     In  FIGS. 21 and 22  an embodiment is shown having dual swabs  14   a,b  mounted on dual shafts  16   a,b  and having dual break-off tubes  24   a,b  coaxially mounted on each of the shafts. Both of these dual swab, shaft and break-off tube combinations are connected to the same stopper  22   a  extending from central member  20  of closure  18 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 21 and 22  allows the user to collect simultaneously, identical, dual specimens or samples  72   a,b  in one motion or in a single contact with a specimen or evidence location. Then the user can simultaneously deliver the dual and identical specimens  72   a,b  to a single housing  28  to thereby assure that the specimen or evidence samples receive simultaneous and identical protection and drying conditions and transport conditions are provided to the identical, dual specimens. The embodiment of  FIGS. 21 and 22  permits a user to remove one of the two identical and simultaneously collected specimens  72   a,b  while allowing the other specimen or sample  72   a,b  to remain untouched or unused and to be archived without removal of the specimen from the original housing into which it was inserted after collection. This simultaneous, dual collection and protection of a specimen or evidence sample is of great importance for evidence collection as it allows collection of two identical specimens  72   a,b  under exactly the same conditions, from exactly the same location of the evidence, and permits the separate removal and testing of one of the dual identical specimens without any change or disturbance to the other specimen and while leaving one of the dual identical specimen fully intact and untouched for archiving and further or future testing. This can be highly important in providing a second identical specimen for test verification where an analysis method that is destructive of the specimen must be employed. 
       FIG. 21  an embodiment is shown having dual swabs  14   a,b  connected to dual shafts  16   a,b  and with each shaft having a break-off tube  24   a,b  coaxially mounted on the shaft. As previously described for  FIG. 25 , the break-off tubes  24   a,b  allow for the swab  14  to be separated from the shaft  16 . It also will be appreciated that the embodiment of  FIGS. 21 ,  22  is provided with desiccant packets  36  in desiccant chamber  32  to permit simultaneous, and identical drying conditions for the dual specimens. As previously described, when swabs  14   a,b  are positioned within housing  28 , the swabs  14   a,b  are to be situated between the retainers  38  ( FIG. 2 ) or within retainers  40  ( FIG. 4 ) with the retainers  38 ,  40  holding desiccant packets  20  away from swab  14 . It will be appreciated that it is important that swabs  14   a,b  be positioned between, but not contacted by, desiccant packets  36  to avoid contamination of swabs  14   a,b . To assure the proper location of swabs  14   a,b  the embodiment of  FIGS. 21 ,  22  is provided with alignment indicators on closure  18  and holder  28 . In  FIGS. 21 and 22  closure  18  is provided with indicator  73  on central member  20  and holder  28  is provided with indicator  74 . In operation, a user upon inserting specimen collector  12  into holder  28  will observe the alignment of indicators  73  and  74  and then rotate closure  18  within holder  28  until the indicators  73 ,  74  are aligned one above the other as shown in  FIG. 21 . This alignment assures that the swabs  14   a,b  are positioned between retainers  38  or  40  in a position that provides uniform separation between each of swabs  14   a,b  and desiccant packets  20 . In this manner the identical drying of swabs  14   a,b  is assured. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 21 and 22  also includes a closure rotation lock  75  on the closure  18 . During insertion of specimen collector  12  into holder  28  and after alignment of indicators  73 ,  74  the closure can be pressed downwardly into holder  28  to insert holder indicator  74  into closure rotation lock  75  to thereby prevent inadvertent rotation of specimen collector  12  within holder  28 . In this manner the proper alignment of the dual swab collector on the holder to provide proper spacing of the swabs from the desiccant is assured during future use and transportation. 
     It will be appreciated that the embodiment of  FIGS. 21 and 22  can be used to capture evidence at a crime scene that may be used as a control during analysis while providing exactitude in the identical handling of the control swab since both the control swab and the specimen swab are handled simultaneously during the collection and drying and transport phases of evidence collection and the evidence security will be identical for both specimens. In the case that one of the dual swabs may be a control the evidence collector would use a first of the two dual swabs to take a specimen of the area surrounding the evidence specimen of interest. Then the second swab would be used to obtain a sample of the evidence specimen as it existed in the crime scene. Then both swabs would be treated identically and simultaneously during the remainder of the collection and insertion into the housing and marking and evidence security and shipping procedures. If a specimen containing DNA was collected on the evidence swab, the control swab could be examined to determine if background DNA was present in the vicinity of the DNA evidence and if background DNA was present on the control swab the background DNA then could be removed from the analysis of the DNA found on the evidence swab. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 21 , the provision for both a reagent holder  50  and a separate reagent vial  60  will be appreciated for allowing the use of variously sized reagent vials  60  which can contain precisely measured but different volumes of reagent to be applied to either swab  14  or to a specimen to be collected. As shown in  FIG. 21 , vial  60   b  is substantially smaller than is vial  60   c . In providing individual vials for the provision of reagents to be applied to swab  14 , the benefit is provided that exact quantization of the dilution of a specimen that is collected can be determined. In the prior art typical swab wetting procedure, an absorbent swab is held beneath a container nozzle and the technician attempts to apply individual drops of a reagent to the swab. The usual result is that the first drop or drops or substantial portions thereof bead up and fall off the swab due to the swab surface not being immediately absorbent. In the present embodiments, by providing an actual vial holding a reagent, the swab can be dipped into the vial where the pre-measured optimum quantity of a user selected reagent is held in contact with the swab  14  and complete absorption of the reagent onto the swab is accomplished. This absorption is further assisted by the pressure that can be brought to bear on the swab by the sidewalls of the vial  60  pressing against the swab  14  to assist in overcoming the surface tension present on the swab  14  thereby assisting in overall absorption of the reagent contained in vial  60 . In  FIG. 23 , a vial of the type shown inserted in the reagent holder  50  of  FIG. 21  is shown in greater detain and having inverted conical sidewalls  66  which further assists in the complete absorption of a small volume of reagent liquid on to swab  14 . It will be appreciated that depending on what specimen is to be collected or what specimen is of interest to the investigator that the quantity and type of reagent in the vial may be user selected. For example if it is of particular interest the semen be immediately identified if it is present in the crime scene then the user or evidence technician can insert vials into the reagent holders that contain a semen reactive reagent to identify the presence of semen upon the swab contacting semen in the crime scene evidence. Or, if blood is of particular interest the evidence collection technician can insert vials into the reagent holders that contain a blood reactive reagent to identify the presence of blood upon the swab contacting the unknown crime scene specimen. 
     The quantified reagent vials  60  which are interchangeable within the reagent holders  50  are configured to provide a reproducible, quantitative wetting of the swab with a known amount of solution and which results in the wetting of the swab by a known volume this provides a quantified absorption of reagent onto the swab which is not possible with previous devices. As described above, the past procedures of attempting to add reagent in a drop-wise manner onto the swab could not produce a swab having a known quantity of reagent on the swab due to loss of drops or loss of portions of drops from the swab surface prior to absorption of the drop by the swab. 
       FIG. 24  shows a closure  18  having a reagent holder  50  formed into a stopper  22   b  for insertion of a vial  60  therein and with cap  62  of vial  60  being provided with flanges  68  which are captured within detents  70  of stopper  22   b  which assists in drawing vial  60  from stopper  22   b  as cap  62  will, when inserted into stopper  22   b , be flush with the top of stopper  22   b.    
     In  FIG. 25  the method by which swab  14  is separated from shaft  16  by applying the terminal end of break-off tube  24  to a break-point  27  located on shaft  16 . In  FIG. 25  swab  14  is pressed against the side of container  250  and a bending motion is applied by the user to press swab  14  back toward tube  24  and closure  18 . When sufficient pressure is applied shaft  16  will break at or near a break-point  27  which is adjacent the terminus of tube  24  as it is the terminus of tube  24  which establishes to point of application of bending force to shaft  14 . When sufficient force is applied, shaft  16  will break and swab  14 , and the portion of shaft  16  to which swab  14  is connected, will separate from the portion of shaft  16  that is connected to closure  18 . This allows the swab and the specimen that is collected onto the swab to be separated from the remainder of device  10  for analysis and shipment. Alternatively, the break-off tube may be used as a swab pushed-off device. In this instance the break-off tube may be pushed by the user along the shaft to slide the break-off tube into contact with the swab. The break-off tube in this embodiment of configured to be a close, but slideable coaxial fit on the shaft and sufficiently smaller in diameter than the swab that the break-off tube will not slide over the exterior of the swab. In this embodiment the break-off tube will contact the swab and be used by the user to press the swab off the end of the shaft and into a reaction container or other tube or holder or shipping container.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8