If this description were true, this case should have been written up in advance as a single-blind test to validate the lab. Where is a dated document detailing the experimental design? Without that document, (and they surely would present it if they had it), this looks to me like a piece of crooked spin. As long as the supervisor agrees it was sent from a vial and not collected from the post we can't know the origin of the sample. Does the supervisor have a complicit motive?
How did they get the samples? Where are the requisitions? Fax records? Trip reports? Milage records? Where is the chain-of-custody document so common in such studies? Has anyone locked the files and sealed the computers?
It stinks of a coverup and may be a case of obstruction of justice.
How did they get the samples? Where are the requisitions? Fax records? Trip reports? Milage records? Where is the chain-of-custody document so common in such studies? Has anyone locked the files and sealed the computers?If the FS people's story is true, this was a pigheaded, unauthorized action by the field biologists who simply wanted to show up the lab.
Stories have mentioned an investigation. Do you know if it's available online somewhere?