Which scenario is NOT a circumstance under which direct observation will be performed?

• A. Reasonable suspicion tests
• B. Random screening
• C. When specimens are invalidated
• D. Diluted specimens

Answer: (B)

Direct observation is used to protect the integrity of a urine sample by ensuring the donor provides a genuine specimen and not one that’s substituted or adulterated. This level of supervision is applied when there are concerns about tampering or validity, such as during tests based on reasonable suspicion, when a specimen has been invalidated, or when a prior sample was diluted and there’s a need to verify the sample’s authenticity. Random screening, on the other hand, is a routine collection that does not inherently raise tampering concerns, so direct observation is not routinely required for that scenario unless specific policy or circumstances call for it.