Source: ESR
Forensic services
All ESR forensic laboratories are open for business as usual to receive and examine items until 12 noon on Friday 23 December 2022. Please ensure all courier deliveries are sent so they are received by this time.
ESR forensic laboratories will be open between 8:00am – 4pm on 4–6 January 2023, returning to regular hours from Monday 9 January 2023.
Arrangements over the Christmas and New Year break
- For scene call-outs, urgent casework and advice, please contact the on-call forensic scientist on 0800 FORENSIC (0800 367 367) at any time
- For urgent delivery of exhibits to ESR’s Forensic Service Centre laboratories, contact the on-call forensic scientist on 0800 FORENSIC (0800 367 367) to arrange a suitable time for delivery.
Non-urgent toxicology and blood alcohol samples between Christmas and New Year
Samples for non-urgent work can be sent to the laboratory as usual between Christmas and New Year.
Urgent toxicology and blood alcohol samples between Christmas and New Year
For urgent enquiries please call the on-call toxicologist on 0800 ESR TOX(0800 377 869).
Should you have any difficulties contacting ESR over the Christmas and New Year period, please contact Forensic Service Centre Manager Tanja Van Peer on 021 192 1875.
ESR health laboratories close at noon on Friday 23 December 2022, and reopen at 8 am on Wednesday 4 January 2023.
Sending samples before the holiday period
Please send samples in time to ensure they aren’t left at the courier depot over the holiday break. Samples submitted in December may not be reported before Christmas. For urgent testing please discuss with the after-hours person or the laboratory.
Testing during the holiday period
Samples that are urgent, notifiable, or required for export/import, and need to be tested during the holiday period, can be discussed with the receiving lab in the first instance or the ESR after hours person.
Contact details
After hours 04 529 0648 or 0800 437 734. This is for urgent services, outbreak investigations and referrals forurgent testing for a limited number of organisms.
