Hair Testing

Hair drug testing is now becoming more available across the entire UK due to the launch of a new team of dedicated professionals.  MHS a leading hair drug testing company has over 100 highly trained collection officers, who are former police officers, trained to the highest standards of competency to attend anywhere in the UK and Ireland with 2 hours notice 365 days a year.

Mr Les Vasey Managing Director of Modern Health Systems Ltd announced,’We are extremely proud of our professional collection officers.  We can offer a hair testing sample, rapid collection service that our clients can trust to offer high standards of competency at affordable prices.’

Hair Testing Legal

Working in partnership with Lloyds law, the UK’s leading firm of solicitors, MHS offers a total solution to hair drug testing and pre-employment drug screening policies.

Contact us now for information on our services:

National Help Line 01274 591792

Home Office Drug testing standards published

The UK Government has published Type Approval for recommended drug testing devices.

After a lengthy period of consultation and research the government has published exacting standards.  These are considered approriate for drug testing devices to avoid some of the confusion that exists as to what is ‘fit for purpose’

Drug Test Cut Off levels

There are a wide range of levels of sensitivity relating to drug testing technology.

The sensitivity levels are crucial in deciding whether or not an individual may be unduly under the influence to the extent that their ability to function may be impaired.

The drug testing cut off level agreed by the Home Office and Forensic Science Service are a reasonable figure in coming to that conclusion. HO Type approval oral fluid drug test devices

Home Office Approved

Currently the only technology that meets that standard is provided by

Modern Health Systems Ltd

Hair drug testing    Human Rights

A question often asked about hair testing is whether or not it is a breach of human rights to require employees to undergo a drug test or hair drug test.

A  study in 2004 by the Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work addressed this issue.  The question it addressed was whether attempts by employers to force employees to take drug tests could be challenged as a violation of privacy under the Human Rights Act 1998 and Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.^[22]

The result was that provided the requirement for a drug test or hair drug test was related to industries where drug testing is a matter of personal and public safety or security rather than productivity then there are no problems.

Hair testing Child access

Recent guidance has been provided in the recent case of London Borough of Richmond upon Thams v B [2010] EWCA 2903 (fam) as to the use of hair strand testing for alcohol in Children Act Proceedings.

The mother turned to drinking after being abused as a teenager and therefore had a history of severe alcohol abuse. Her older children were removed from her care and therefore when she became pregnant again the London Borough of Richmond initiated care proceedings in relation to the unborn child. Although the mother had claimed that she had stopped drinking two years prior to her pregnancy,  when her hair was tested for alcohol by TrichoTech  it came back positive. A further hair alcohol test was conducted by Trimega which indicated that the result was negative and therefore a High Court Judge demanded to know why the contradictory findings.
The High Court stated that “two different types of hair strand test should be used; in this case, TrichoTech just used one. Hair Tests are not designed to establish abstinence or social drinking, only excessive use. Three month’s growth – about 3cm – should be tested, or it is hard to establish a pattern, TrichoTech did not do this.” The mother added “we are real human beings, not just pieces of hair; I was nearly losing my child”. The results of the other tests and evidence did not indicate that the mother had consumed alcohol in 2009 and therefore she was allowed to keep the baby.

Hair testing for alcohol

It is recommended that hair testing should be used when there is an issue about whether or not a parent has consumed alcohol at a frequent and excessive rate over a period of time, only then the hair strand testing will still be useful evidence. Hair alcohol tests to measure alcohol consumption are based on seeking to establish the concentration of Ethyl glucuronide (ETG) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEES). The level of ETG and FAEES found in a hair sample reflects the consumption of alcohol over the whole period covered by the sample, it does not determine the number of times on which alcohol might have been consumed or the amount consumed on each occasion.

Hair testing Expert Advice

Experts had to be reminded of their duties under the Practice Direction “Experts in Family Proceedings Relating to Children” (2009) 2 FLR 1383 due to the serious consequences that their evidence may have on the child or its family. The evidence and conclusion in this case have highlighted the importance of exercising considerable caution when hair strand tests for alcohol are being interpreted and relied upon both generally and particularly in isolation.
Despite the fact that hair tests have been used for many years for the use of drugs, hair testing specifically for alcohol use is relatively recent and an area which is still developing. Therefore when new scientific tests are being used for forensic purposes it is important that the results can be used in court proceedings and that this is explained so that the court and the parties involved have a full understanding of the evidential basis.  In that respect early advice is essential.
However, hair strand testing for alcohol will continue to have important evidential value in Children Act proceedings to indicate frequent and excessive consumption.

Each case will be different and therefore the most appropriate form of testing will need to be considered when hair strand testing is being used.  This could include urine drug testing and blood tests for liver function analysis.

For expert advice call: 0845 873 9602

National Help Line

Hair testing legal services.

Our extensive market research informs us that some legal hair testing provision may be more expensive than others.

Following recent legal findings, it has become more apparent that there is a need to review existing hair testing legal services to ensure that clients not only receive appropriate advice but that the service is cost effective.

Hair testing-Child Access

There are a number of independent  Legal Centres where free advice is given on this subject.

However if you are acting for a parent or guardian it is essential that you establish which hair testing service offers the most reliable and cost effective service.

As well as the forensic work that may be required, the courts often seek expert advice regarding the competency of the individual and their motiviation to change.

Some companies offer a comprehensive management service which includes hair testing, collection and expert reports.  Few legal support companies offer this complete services but one of the best is MHS  Legal hair testing and support company They not only offer UKAS laboratories but some of the leading UK experts on addiction and recovery.

For further information on hair testing companies and expert opinion call for free advice:

National Help Line 0845 873 9602

Hair testing services

If you wish to have the circumstances of your case re-examined, call us now and we will have one of our experts consider whether or not there may be grounds for challenging the court findings following a recent high court decision:

LB Richmond v B & W & B & CB [2010] EWHC 2903 (Fam) High Court decision.

Our hair testing services use established experts who have been involved in the field of forensic services for many years.

Hair testing consultants

We have available a range of toxicological forensic services that work closely with our hair testing consultants.  We recommend discussions should initially be made using established lawyers familiar with the type of case being pursued.

Whilst we do not offer legal opinion we do provide hair testing services to meet most situations at affordable prices.

Call us now on 0845 873 9602

National Help Line

Hair sample collection and analysis best practice.

In order to avoid expensive and unreliable hair testing  procedures we have prepared the following list of protocols that should be followed by hair testing companies.

An excellent British testing company is Modern Health Systems Ltd who use mainly use British labs,

Hair Sampling

The hair sample should be cut from the posterior vertex region of the head, as close as possible to the scalp, since this is the region of least variation in growth rate.   If not, the source of the sampling should be described. In general, head hair is estimated to grow at approximately 1.0 cm per month.

• The hair sampling does not need to be performed by a physician
• The colour, length, body site and any obvious cosmetic treatment of the hair should be recorded
• Root (proximal) and tip (distal) sections of the hair should be clearly defined
• If segmental analysis is required, a lock of hair must be fixed before cutting.
• Head hair is the preferred specimen. Alternative hair (e.g. pubic, axillary) can be collected if head hair is unavailable.
• The sample and any aliquots or extracts must be handled and stored in a manner so as to minimize degradation, loss of analyte, or contamination from other sources. Dry hair should be stored in the dark at room temperature.
• There must be adequate sample to allow initial testing, followed by confirmatory or re-testing of the sample if necessary.  A lock of hair, with the thickness of a pencil, or several locks with the thickness of a straw is recommended.
• In post-mortem cases, hair should be collected at the beginning of an autopsy.

2.   Decontamination

When hair analysis is being used to identify drug use, the major limitation is external contamination, which if not removed, can confuse exposure with actual drug use.  The issue of external contamination must be addressed through multiple methodologies and cannot be solved through the simple application of any single approach.

• Areas of possible contamination must be considered before and during the analysis. These may include, but are not limited to, external drug exposure and laboratory contamination.
• A simple use of cut-off levels is insufficient because external contamination can be at any level.
• In general, a decontamination strategy must include an initial organic solvent, to remove oils, followed by aqueous washes.
• The washings should be stored for later analysis, if necessary
• In autopsy or exhumation cases, additional pre-treatment of the hair in the laboratory may be necessary, depending on the condition of the sample

3.        Hair disintegration and extraction

• Different analytical procedures can produce different quantitative results. Each laboratory has the choice of disintegrating the hair matrix before extraction, or of extracting the drug directly from the solid hair after suitable preparation
• Degradation compounds may be produced during the assay. In order to assess the degree of conversion, the laboratory must include adequate controls.

4.        Screening Test

• If a screening test is used, an appropriate method validation including calibrators and controls in a hair matrix must be performed
• Analytes of interest must be identified to minimize false negatives.

5.        Criteria for mass spectrometric analysis

• The method must be validated according to good laboratory practice.
• The possible influence of the internal standard at low concentrations must be assessed and documented
• For information on valid criteria for mass spectrometric analysis, refer to recommended rules from scientific organizations or national guidelines.

6.        Specific Drug Classes

• Drugs and metabolites in hair should be analyzed using valid methods. Detection levels will be different between drug classes. Some examples for specific drugs are presented below.

6.1       Opiates

• Immunochemical test:
• A morphine or 6-acetylmorphine level of 0.2 ng/mg must produce a positive result
• Chromatographic test:
• Recommended Limit of Quantification (LOQ): ≤ 0.2 ng/mg for each compound
• Heroin consumption must be differentiated from codeine or morphine use by the presence of 6-acetylmorphine..

6.2     Cocaine

• Immunochemical test:
• A cocaine level of 0.5 ng/mg must produce a positive result
• Chromatographic test:
• Recommended Limit of Quantification (LOQ): ≤0.5 ng/mg for cocaine, ≤0.05 ng/mg for other compounds
• The chromatographic analysis should include cocaine, and at least one of the following:

benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, norcocaine or ecgonine methyl ester

6.3     Amphetamines

• Immunochemical test:
• A concentration of 0.2 ng/mg of each substance must separately produce a positive result:
• Chromatographic test:
• Recommended Limit of Quantification (LOQ): ≤0.2 ng/mg for each compound

MDMA, methamphetamine, amphetamine, MDEA or MDA

Note: Laboratories should be aware of the possible ingestion of legal drugs producing positive results for methamphetamine and amphetamine

6.4 Cannabinoids

• Immunochemical test:
• A THC concentration of 0.1 ng/mg must produce a positive result
• Chromatographic test:
• Recommended Limit of Quantification (LOQ):
• THC:≤ 0.1 ng/mg
• THC-COOH:≤ 0.2 pg/mg
• Confirmation of THC-COOH is required to definitively prove the use of cannabinoids

Internal Quality Control

Internal Quality Control for hair is more difficult than for other homogenous body fluids, since spiked control samples cannot substitute for the actual hair of a drug user.  However, spiked controls may be substituted for hair from drug users if properly prepared.

• One technique is to expose drug-free hair to aqueous solutions of drugs at high concentrations, for several days and then thoroughly wash the hair before drying and analysis.  When suitably homogenized, these spiked samples can be used for precision studies, routine QCs, and as internal degradation controls.  Various hair types should be employed.

• Although controls may be homogenized pools, the substitution of properly prepared spiked controls is acceptable
• For endogenous drugs, controls may be prepared using an alternative medium, for example, synthetic melanin

External Quality Control

• For external quality control, the laboratory should enrol in a proficiency testing program, where authentic standard hair specimens are sent for testing
• The laboratory must analyze proficiency specimens in the same way as routine samples
• If a laboratory does not consistently perform adequately in external proficiency programs, corrective actions must be taken
• In the case of the Society of Hair Testing, reference laboratories will be named, and their results will be used as a reference method and result source.
• The results of their analysis are collated and compared to those from selected reference laboratories.

7.0  Alcohol Hair testing

• Hair testing for biological markers that suggest alcohol misuse is still a valid methodology provided it is not used in isolation to other factors Society of hair testing

Consensus from the Society of Hair Testing  Forensic Science International 84 (1997) 3-6

For a list of companies that we recommend please call our expert :

Free advice-no obligation

What do I need?

Hair testing UK standards:

A hair testing collection service requires professional and reliable technicians who have been properly vetted for their honesty, integrity, reliability and good character.

They should ideally be trained to ISO 9001-2008 quality standards.

The hair testing company should listen sympathetically to your needs and arrange for the hair sample to be collected at a mutually agreed time and place.

Hair testing Laboratory.

The laboratory used for the analysis should ideally be a UK laboratory (UKAS ) accredited
The laboratory should be reliable with no history of any criticisms by the courts Court criticisms for the quality of their work as this may affect their status if the report is challenged.
You should confirm this to be the case and if necessary obtain written confirmation of the location of the laboratory to be used.

Hair testing response times.

Hair sample collectors should be able to respond quickly and efficiently to any part of the British Isles without additional costs UK cover

There should also be a help desk available to deal with all your enquiries and provide any assistance you require, no matter how minor it may seem.

Expert Witness Reports

The service should provide an independent and reliable expert witness service that is ethical and reliable with no history of criticism from the courts: UK Labs criticised

The hair sample collection service that we recommend fits all these quality standards.

We recommend the Modern Health Systems Ltd the UK’s leading drug testing company.

For further advice on reliable and trustworthy labs and collection services call:

National Help Line 0845 873 9602

1. What is Hair Drug Testing?

Since hair growth is fed by the bloodstream, the ingestion of drugs of abuse is revealed by analyzing a small sample of hair. Our hair testing company measures the drug molecules embedded inside the hairshaft, eliminating external contamination as a source of a positive test result. Hair testing results cannot be altered with shampoos or other external chemicals.

2. What drugs are included in a standard hair drug dest?

Cocaine, marijuana, opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-monoacteyl morphine), methamphetamine, (Meth/amphetamine & Ecstasy)

3. What time period does a standard hair drug test cover?

A standard hair drug test covers a period of approximately 90 days. The hair sample is cut as close to the scalp by an approved and vetted collector, and the most recent 1.5 inches are tested.

4. Does hair color affect results?

Hair color is determined by the amount of melanin in the hair. It has been shown experimentally, through actual hair samples, as well as determined in court that hair color has NO basis in fact.

5. How fast does head hair grow?

Studies indicate that head hair grows on the average approximately 1.3 cm (or 1/2 inch) per month. This growth rate varies slightly (estimated at ± .2 cm per month) consequently there is some (± 1 week) time variation possible.

6. How much hair is needed?

A standard hair drug test with GC/MS confirmation requires 60+ milligrams
of hair or approximately 90 to 120 strands. The thickness of different types of head hair (thick coarse vs. thinning fine) is the reason for this variation.

7. How does Hair Drug Testing compare to urinalysis?

The primary differences are
1) wider window of detection
2) inability to tamper with the test

Cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates and PCP are rapidly excreted and usually undetectable in urine 72 hours after use. The detection period for hair is limited only by the length of the hair sample and is approximately 90 days for a standard test.

At this time there are no known adulterants for hair drug tests. Since hair tests analyze the drugs inside the hairshaft, external contaminants/chemicals have no effect.

Additional advantages of hair drug testing include non-intrusive collection procedures, virtual elimination of test evasion.

The combination of an increased window of detection and resistance to evasion makes Hair Drug Testing far more effective than urinalysis in correctly identifying drug users.

8. How soon after use can a drug be detected in a hair drug test?

It takes approximately 4-5 days from the time of drug use for the affected hair to grow above the scalp. Body hair growth rates are generally slower and cannot be utilized to determine a timeframe of drug use.

9. What is the shortest time period that can be evaluated?

The minimum time period in which drugs can be detected by a hair drug test is approximately two weeks (1/4 inch). Body hair can be used if head hair is too short for a test. If body hair is used the timeframe represented by the test is approximately one year, due to the different growth pattern in hair below the neck.

10. Can hair drug tests be run on people with little or no hair?

Hair can be collected from several head locations and combined to obtain the required amount of hair. In addition, body hair may be used as a substitute to head hair.   In the rare case where no hair is collectable, complete urine/adulteration testing may be utilized.

11. Does body hair give the same type of results as head hair?

Yes, body hair can be used to test for the five standard drug classes, though body hair growth patterns are different than head hair. Most body hair is replaced within approximately one year. This means a test done with body hair will be reported as drug usage during approximately a one year timeframe.

12. Can hair collected from a brush be used?

Yes, but the test will be reported as having an “anonymous” donor. We cannot attribute the sample to any specific person and we cannot determine the timeframe of the test, so the test result is not legally defensible. The test will only report that the sample submitted had the reported drug metabolite components.

13. How do laboratories establish its hair drug test cut-off levels?

MHS follows the cut-off levels generally accepted industry-wide. These levels are based in part by minimum detection levels for GC/MS confirmation.

14. Do Laboratories perform Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmation of all positive hair drug test results?

MHS provides confirmation utilizing GC/MS for all specimens that screen positive (opiates, PCP, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana).

15. Can hair be affected by cross-reacting substances such as over-the-counter medications?

Enzyme-immunoassay antibodies (EIA), similar to those used to test urine, are used for the initial screening test for drugs of abuse in hair; therefore the potential for substances such as over-the-counter medications to cause a false positive screening result does exist. To eliminate the possibility of reporting a false-positive due to cross-reactivity, MHS confirms all positive results by GC/MS for methamphetamine, opiates, PCP,cocaine and marijuana.

16. How effective is Hair Drug Testing in detecting drug users?

In side-by-side comparison studies with urinalysis, hair drug testing has uncovered significantly more drug use. In two independent studies hair drug testing uncovered 4 to 8 times as many drug users as urinalysis.

17. Does external exposure to certain drugs, like marijuana or crack smoke, affect the Hair Drug Test results?

To rule out the possibility of external contamination, MHS testing (where appropriate) looks for both parent & metabolite (bi-product) of drug usage. For marijuana analyses, MHS detects only the metabolite (THC-COOH) . This metabolite is only produced by the body and cannot be an environmental contaminant.

18. Are all laboratories’ internal chain-of-custody comparable
to a urinalysis laboratory test procedure?

MHS’s internal chain-of-custody is modeled after UKAS guidelines (SAMHSA) as well as other accredited agencies (CAP).

19. How long are hair testing reports kept on file?

Hair testing reports are retained for a period of two years or as mandated by law.

20. What is done with the excess hair that is not tested?

The hair not used from the time period being tested (i.e. three months equals 3.9 cm) is stored in the chain-of-custody sample acquisition pouch. Hair is stored for a two year period.

21. What other drugs are available to be tested in hair drug test analysis?

Currently, nicotine, methadone, simple benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants assays and mescaline have been detected in hair. However, many details such as cutoff levels and dose response relationships have not yet been established for these compounds. Currently these assays are in the Research and Development process.

For further questions or advice contact our national expert advice line:

National Help Line 0845 873 9602

Hair Testing Facts

Hair Drug Test Cost: Incredibly hair drug testing costs less than most other conventional drug tests considering the time periods analysed.  Urine and saliva tests only cover hours to days and occasionally longer periods and therefore multiple tests would be required to cover a period of 90 days.

A single hair test measure substance misuse over months and as a general rule 1 cm to 1 month of lifestyle.   A usual sample is 3 cms long.

Hair drug tests purpose:

Hair drug/alcohol tests are used by a range of organisations and private individuals.  It is used to ascertain an individual’s behaviour over a lengthy period of time in relation to substance misuse.  The main use in the UK is to provide evidence to the courts in respect of child access proceedings.  It is primarily used to discover if an individual is safe to have access to a family member usually a child.   Unless undertaken by an accredited independent collection services and analysed by an accredited laboratory the results may be disputed.

Drugs Detected in hair:

Hair can provide evidence of drug use including Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Benzoglyecgonine, Marijuana, Opiates, Amphetamine, Ecstasy, Phencyclidine, and many more substances.

Hair Sample requirement:

Approximately 50-100 hair strands at least 3cms long, is required for 3 months analysis. The sample is taken by cutting the hair strands as close to the scalp as possible.

Period of analysis:

Approximately 90 days of ‘lifestyle’ can be analysed but this can vary, according to an individual’s hair growth rate. The hair sample is cut very close to the scalp and the most recent 3 cms of hair is analysed.

Interpretation of the results:

Whilst the laboratory can provide a certificate of technical analysis, this needs to be interpreted with care, by a credible expert, to ensure that proper conclusions can be made.  The hair test analysis may require other evidence such as a blood test before definitive conclusions can be made.

For advice on UK laboratories and expert witnesses contact:

0845 873 9602

Hair testing laboratory service

Obviously some hair testing services are better than others.

Hair testing labs

There are a wide range of hair testing labs and this can sometimes be confusing to individuals or legal services wishing to find a reliable hair testing lab.

Some hair testing labs are based in the UK but others are located abroad.

Some hair testing companies collect the sample in the UK but may then  re-pack the sample and send to labs either in Europe or USA.   Although this practice is perfectly legitimate the customer may have concerns that their hair sample is going abroad.

Also the cost of bringing the lab technician to the UK to give evidence to prove the analysis could prove very expensive.

Always seek clarification as to where the actual laboratory is located and which laboratory will your sample be sent to.

If you have concerns seek independent advice.

The UK hair testing advice line is:  0845 873 9602

Hair testing laboratory prices

Hair testing prices vary considerably and it is often a complicated process to ascertain the exact cost.  Most hair testing labs supply services to solicitors and charge accordingly.

Prices for hair testing can be complicated further dependent on the drug groups sought and the number of sections being analysed.  This is also further complicated depending on whether the hair test is for drugs or alcohol.

Hair testing expert opinion

The interpretation of the hair test result is crucial.  As a recent high court case demonstrates, expert  opinions from major hair testing labs can differ giving potentially misleading  opinions   Hair testing case critical of labs

Independent experts are available to provide advice on the type of hair test required and the interpretation of results.

Top 5 tips for picking a reliable hair testing lab service.

Here are some tips you should remember before making a choice:

Talk to the company concerned and explain what it is you are wanting to prove.

They should give you honest and objective advice.

1. Do you receive a considerate and sympathetic hearing from the consultant if not go somewhere else.
2. Will the hair test be undertaken in the UK or abroad.
3. Is the company quality assured usually indicated by an ISO 9001 accreditation.
4. Has the company experienced, credible and qualified experts able to effectively interpret the laboratory results in a professional and objective manner and give credible opinion to the court.
5. Check their credentials.  Ask if the hair testing company has any history of providing misleading reports or being subject to court criticism. This may affect their credibility at future the court hearings.

For honest and objective advice on hair testing call our national help line:

Contact us:                                       0845 873 9602