COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	51 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	7 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012 Medicaid Billing [Member] Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member] Subpoenas	May 03, 2011 Orchid Cellmark Inc Business Acquisition [Member] Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member] Class_Action_Lawsuits	Mar. 31, 2012 Orchid Cellmark Inc Business Acquisition [Member] Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member] Pending_Petitions Demand_Notices	Mar. 31, 2012 Orchid Cellmark Inc Business Acquisition [Member] Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member] Class_Action_Lawsuits	Mar. 31, 2012 Orchid Cellmark Inc Business Acquisition [Member] Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member] Class_Action_Lawsuits	Mar. 31, 2012 Overtime Pay [Member] Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member] Class_Action_Lawsuits	Jun. 30, 2011 Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Judgment amount in connection with a wrongful termination lawsuit	$ 10.0
Litigation settlement expense in connection with the California False Claims Act lawsuit	34.5
Previously recorded litigation reserve in connection with the California False Claims Act lawsuit	15.0
Number of subpoenas received		3
Number of notices for appraisal rights for shares				3
Number of pending petitions for appraisal of stock				2
Number of shareholder class actions			3
Consolidation of multiple shareholder class actions					1
Number of claims voluntarily dismissed						3
Number of putative class actions							2
Joint venture ownership interest (in hundredths)								50.00%
Letters of credit, amount	$ 37.4