Sample Retention Policies

Samples submitted for analysis should be clearly labeled with the sample name, submitter's name, and the date. Samples are typically returned with the request form on which they were submitted. Sample request forms are not returned to users outside the Chemistry department; if you are outside the department and wish to have your sample returned, make your wishes known on the analysis request form. Samples left in the mass spectrometry facility longer than two weeks after analysis are subject to disposal; please note that sample disposal is always the responsibility of the party who generates the sample, and particularly nasty or voluminous samples may be returned to your care and keeping.

Samples which are not labeled with a sample name, submitter name, and date are subject to immediate disposal or return.

It is a good practice to label samples even when they are attached to a sample submission form which bears the sample name, submitter name, and date. At a minimum the sample name should appear on samples attached to sample submission forms - this allows the sample to be identified even when it has been removed from the form (plus more than once a submitter has put the wrong sample name on the form and the correct name on the sample itself).