VicPol Corporate
Blood samples

The Victoria Police Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section Support Services Unit is the first point of contact for members of the public with enquiries regarding forensic samples (blood, urine and oral fluid) taken under one of the following Victorian Acts:

  • Road Safety Act 1986, Part 5 – Offences involving alcohol or other drugs
  • Rail Safety (Local Operations) Act 2006, Part 6 – Alcohol and drug controls for rail safety workers
  • Marine (Drug, Alcohol and Pollution Control) Act 1988, Part 4 – Offences involving alcohol or other drugs

Before beginning, please read the frequently asked questions below. This will assist you to understand the available methods to collect your forensic sample.

You can contact a representative from the Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section - Support Services Unit using the following methods:

  • Submission form: Victoria Police forensic sample request form
  • Email: bloodsamples@police.vic.gov.au
  • Post: RPDAS Support Services, 20 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Victoria, 3056. Please note: The facility at this address is not a police station and is not open to the public.

Obtaining a forensic sample for analysis by an independent pathology unit

Preferred method

Select a Pathology Unit to process your forensic sample. The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Australia is a good starting point when selecting a Pathology Unit.

Contact your chosen Pathology Unit and obtain a quotation for the sample to be collected from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) and be analysed by the Pathology Unit.

Complete and submit the preferred method form:

A contact name and number for your chosen pathology unit must be provided as VIFM will contact the prearranged pathology unit to organise collection of your forensic sample.

The pathology unit will process your sample and provide you with the result.

Important: VIFM will not release a forensic sample to your nominated Pathology Unit until they have received a notification from Victoria Police of your intention to obtain part of your forensic sample. This will only occur after Victoria Police has confirmed your identification. Once Victoria Police has confirmed your identity and cross-matched it to your forensic sample, VIFM will be notified of your intentions.

Any costs incurred are at your expense – Victoria Police is not required to pay or reimburse you for any part of this process.

Alternative method

Complete the alternative method form and submit via email or post (see contact details at top of page). You are able to nominate a third party or legal representative to collect the sample on your behalf.

Victoria Police will contact you to nominate a date and time for collection to occur. The collection point is:

  • Melbourne West Police Station, 313 Spencer Street, Docklands, Victoria, 3008.

Note: Both methods require you to supply copies of 100 points of identification. See below for acceptable identification documents.

Submitting the Victoria Police forensic request form

To submit the completed form via email:

  • open a new email message
  • attach your completed form by locating the paperclip icon or an menu instruction to 'attach file/s' – locate your completed form where you saved your copy and attach it
  • follow the same process to attach copies of your 100 points of identification – see below for acceptable identification documents.
  • send the email to bloodsamples@police.vic.gov.au

To submit form via post:

  • print a copy of your completed form
  • print copies of your 100 points of identification
  • mail these documents to: RPDAS Support Services, 20 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Victoria, 3056

Applications not accompanied by copies of the required 100 points of identification will be returned.

Acceptable identification documents for identification

You must supply 100 points of identification.

Collecting the sample results

The sample will only be released to the individual nominated on the Victoria Police Online Forensic Sample Request Form. Victoria Police will confirm the identification of the person collecting the sample before it is handed over.

Failure to attend at the nominated time and date will require a request resubmission. Victoria Police will contact you to nominate a new time for collection.

Important: Victoria Police will not release a forensic sample to you or your nominated representative until Victoria Police has confirmed your identification. Once Victoria Police has confirmed your identity and cross-matched it to your forensic sample, VIFM will be notified.

Frequently asked questions

Blood samples - Frequently asked questions

  • Unless Victoria Police can confirm your identification and match it to a forensic sample, Victoria Police will be unable to authorise the release of your sample. You will need to contact Victoria Police via email or post stating your circumstances.

    All required fields in the Victoria Police forensic sample request form (preferred and alternative methods) are marked with an asterisk.

  • No, Victoria Police must first confirm identification before allowing Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to release forensic samples.

  • No, this would be a conflict of interest.

  • No.

  • No, this would be a conflict of interest.

  • No, you can only choose from the two collection methods provided by Victoria Police.

    If you select the alternative method, samples may only be collected from the Melbourne West Police Station at 313 Spencer Street, Docklands, 3008, by the person you nominated on your Victoria Police forensic sample request form (yourself, a nominated legal representative or third party) at the prearranged date and time set by Victoria Police.

    If you chose the preferred method, the sample can only be collected from Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine by the courier nominated by your pathology unit.

  • We are unable to provide a time frame for this process.

  • No, for privacy reasons we are unable to liaise with your insurance company.

  • If you were not handed a part of your sample at the time it was taken, please use one of the two methods provided.

    This process relates to any sample taken under the Road Safety Act 1986, Rail Safety (Local Operations) Act 2006 or Marine (Drug, Alcohol and Pollution Control) Act 1988.

  • Follow one of the two methods provided.

    This process relates to any sample taken under the Road Safety Act 1986, Rail Safety (Local Operations) Act 2006 or Marine (Drug, Alcohol and Pollution Control) Act 1988.

  • Follow one of the two methods provided.

    This process relates to any sample taken under the Road Safety Act 1986, Rail Safety (Local Operations) Act 2006 or Marine (Drug, Alcohol and Pollution Control) Act 1988.

  • No, the sample can only be released to the individual nominated on the Victoria Police forensic sample request form.

    You will have to resubmit the form if you wish to make changes to the person nominated to collect your forensic sample.

  • No, you will be given a new time and date. The location will remain the same in these circumstances.

Contact

  • Email: bloodsamples@police.vic.gov.au
  • Post: RPDAS Support Services, 20 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Victoria, 3056
    Please note: the facility at this address is not a police station and is not open to the public

Reviewed 26 August 2021

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