FAQ
What time period can one cover with hair drug testing ?
Hair drug testing covers up to 12 months depending on the type and length of hair of the donor. For one month of results requires approximately 1.3 cm of hair length.
How fast does 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.
How does hair testing compare to urinalysis?
The primary differences are that hair testing provide a wider window of detection and the 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 screen. Additional advantages include non-intrusive collection procedures; virtual elimination of test evasion; and greater accuracy through test repetition capability. The combination of an increased window of detection and resistance to evasion makes hair testing far more effective than urinalysis in correctly identifying drug users.
How soon after use can a drug be detected in hair?
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 utilised to determine a timeframe of drug use.
What is the shortest time period that can be accurately evaluated?
The minimum time period is approximately one month (1/2 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.
Can 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 utilised.
Does body hair give the same type of results as head hair?
Body hair can be used to test for all drug classes. Body hair growth patterns are different than head hair though 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.
Can hair collected from a brush be used for testing?
No. Trimega Laboratories requires a hair sample to be collected using proper chain-of-custody protocols that will withstand a legal challenge. The sample must be submitted using Trimega's hair collection kit. The donor must provide sufficient identification and initial the sample collection pouch to certify the authenticity of the sample at the time of collection.
How does Trimega Laboratories establish its cut-off levels?
Trimega follows the cut-off levels generally accepted industry-wide. These levels are based in part by minimum detection levels for GC/MS confirmation.
What is GC/MS and what does it mean?
Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry is a confirmation test which is applied to any hair samples that produce positive results in the screening process. It is considered by the Forensice Science Services as the 'gold standard' in hair testing.
Can over-the-counter medications produce positive results in a hair test?
Enzymes-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, Trimega Laboratories confirms all positive results by GC/MS for methamphetamine, opiates, PCP, cocaine and cannabis.
Would external contaminants, such as bleaches or cannabis smoke, affect the hair test results?
Bleaches, shampoos and external contaminants (i.e. marijuana smoke) have no known impact on test results. Drug residues remain permanently entrapped in the hair.
Is there anything that can affect the quantity of drug that has been detected?
The quantity detected is affected by many factors such as frequency of use, quantity consumed, quality of the drug, method of consumption, smoking efficiency if smoked, and variations in metabolism due to other factors such as diet and bodyweight.
What situations would I consider using hair alcohol testing?
There are many applications where you would want to determine whether someone had an alcohol problem, or indeed prove they didn’t have a problem.
These include:
- Child custody cases
- Probation service for alcohol offences
- Safety critical employment
- Suspicions that a corporate / colleague has an alcohol problem
- Proof of responsibility, eg eaders, armed forces etc.
- Alcohol treatment programmes
- Screening people in clinical trials
- Suitability for surgery
What are the limitations?
Obviously, we need hair. Occasionally drug screening companies encounter someone who has shaved from head to toe, with not a single hair on their body, but that does obviously raise suspicions.
Can you tell whether someone is totally abstinent from alcohol?
No, the method has not been developed for that purpose.
What information will the report show?
It will include the identity details for the sample that has been sent to us, and then a result for the alcohol level that has been detected. A 'negative' or 'positive' result is provided dependant on whether the result falls below or above the cutoff level set by our laboratory. Results can also be provided in a standard Section 9 legal statement where requested.
Can you determine how much alcohol a person has had monthly?
No. Although we will give a value in our report, we can only say that the value exceeds our interpretation of the cutoff level we have set, which is 60 grams of alcohol per day over a protracted period. We cannot interpret how much alcohol was actually consumed. To do so would be scientifically unsound because alcohol is metabolised in slightly different ways by different people.
How much alcohol is "60 grams"? How many glasses of wine or pints of beer does this equate to?
It has been widely considered in Britain that a level of 60 grams of alcohol and above consumed daily represents alcohol misuse. In the UK, alcohol is based on units to allow drinkers to establish their alcohol consumption. One unit is 8 grams (10 millilitres) of pure alcohol. However, the amount of drink that equates to 60 grams depends on how strong the drink is. On average, one pub measure of wine, one half of average strength beer, and one ‘short’ of spirit are all one unit. So seven of these units provides 7 x 8 = 56 grams of alcohol. A 750ml bottle of wine with 13% alcohol by volume would contain 9.75 units. See the Bupa alcohol calculator in our Resource Section to see how many units has been consumed.
For an individual who is strictly abstinent, would I expect a 'zero' result?
Alcohol is not as easily detectable in hair as other drugs. Ethanol is present in all hair including those of teetotallers, however these traces are products of the environment. Simply being in a pub or laboratory is enough for traces of ethanol to find their way into the hair. A case study on a group of individuals who were strictly abstinent were found to have small traces of ethanol in their hair samples. However, these traces of ethanol do not correlate to alcohol which has been consumed.
Where does the process originate from?
It has been developed by a combination of German and English laboratory collaboration using leading experts in this field and the latest analytical technologies.
Can we tell if an excessive drinker really has stopped drinking?
Trimega Laboratories can see after 1-2 months if an excessive alcohol drinker has ceased drinking (i.e. if he is abstinent). In some cases the FAEE values sink after only one month of abstinence to below the cut off level, however at most after two months. Following three months of abstinence, the values will increasingly liken to those of social drinkers and teetotaIers. Please note: For this test we also require, where possible, 6 cm of head hair (standard conditions).
Can a reformed alcoholic be monitored?
Yes, Trimega Laboratories can monitor a reformed alcoholic using its new technological advances. According to a study, in cases where a relapse follows a period of abstinence of more than one year, binge drinking lasting several weeks is sufficient to give a positive finding over the whole length of hair. This corresponds to our experience: a relapse can be detected after two to four weeks. Please note: For this test we also require, where possible, 6 cm of head hair (standard conditions).
Is hair testing for alcohol an imprecise science?
No, because it is subjected to the same rigours and decisions that apply to other branches of testing such as blood alcohol in drivers, for example. However, it does require a certain amount of specialised interpretation. The cutoff level of 60 grams of alcohol per day has been related to the quantities of hair alcohol markers detected in a very large number of trial subjects. The decision as to what constitutes an alcoholic is not ours, and some people who become classified as alcohol dependent by our test will no doubt consider they are not dependent, in the same way that many drivers caught with an excess of alcohol in their blood will argue it improves their driving.
Is there a risk of false positives?
Mitigating circumstances could include a serious abnormality in the metabolism of the donor or abnormal hair growth conditions such as hirsutism, or indeed recent donor hair transplanting. Trimega Laboratories have introduced a medical review document for donors that should be completed and supplied with the sample, for optimum accuracy that will identify such conditions. While we would offer constructive advice on such occasions, they are not encountered or required very frequently. Trimega Laboratories has led the field in this work and is the only organisation worldwide to offer this service coupled with a thorough and considered medical review, and as such is committed to offering as much information and advice as possible to clients.
Can hair treatments affect results?
We have not found any influence from cosmetics and shampoo but there may be occasions when this should be considered (example: hair modelling where the hair is constantly being styled). Recent alcohol application to the scalp for head lice will also not affect the results. Our experience in this field would allow us to offer constructive advice on such occasions.
What is the window of detection for both CDT and LFT tests?
Both tests provide a window of detection covering 2-4 weeks.
What is the difference between CDT and LFT testing?
The Liver Function Test assesses a number of liver produced enzymes within a blood sample, which indirectly can tell you how the liver is working. Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) looks at a specific marker which will be present / elevated when an individual has consumed excessive alcohol.
Does my client / employee need to undergo both tests to obtain an accurate result?
We recommend that both tests are taken together.
For example in a CDT test, false results may occur in individuals suffering from chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and other related conditions, however these conditions would cause corresponding anomalies in the LFT results. For these reasons, combining LFT tests with a CDT test increases the level of confidence in results than simply utilising one test technology in isolation.
Would abstention from drinking for one week result in a negative test?
No. CDT markers have a mean half-life value of 14-17 days. This means that for most people who are alcohol dependent, their elevated CDT level will be detected even if they have abstained for a short period before the test.
What is the difference between hair alcohol and blood alcohol testing?
Other than looking for different markers, blood alcohol testing requires blood as opposed to hair samples and provides results covering a timeframe period more immediate than that of hair testing. For example, this can allow for those who are undergoing regular testing for rehabilitation purposes to monitor progress.
What is the difference between oral alcohol testing and blood alcohol testing?
Oral testing provides a shorter window of detection and covers timeframes of no longer than 72 hours. Detecting alcohol consumption seven days ago is not possible with oral testing.
Why should I use Trimega Laboratories rather than a GP for a blood test?
Trimega Laboratories provide trained nurses to collect the samples and complete the necessary paperwork for chain of custody purposes. Collections may be carried out on your premises, allowing you (as the carer, solicitor, social worker, employer) to ensure that the samples are promptly taken and not having to rely on the individual making the appointment with their GP. Appointments via the NHS usually provide lengthy waiting times resulting in delay. Trimega Laboratories also provide user-friendly reports with all results.
Questions and Answers coming soon.
Why use Trimega Laboratories if DNA testing is sent to an external DCA accredited lab?
This is because firms can experience the same level of client service excellence and leverage existing client service relationships for DNA testing and Drug & Alcohol testing.
Will courts still accept this?
The reports that will be sent to you once completed will be on the logo and headed paper of the DCA laboratory.
Will this be more expensive?
No, the testing will not cost more. Trimega Laboratories through the volume of tests conducted will be able to still provide you DNA testing at rates acceptable to the market and the LSC.
Does Trimega Laboratories do 'peace of mind' testing?
Trimega Laboratories only perform DNA testing for the B2B legal sector. We do not accept DNA testing for private individuals.
How accurate is DNA Paternity testing?
The DNA paternity testing performed by Trimega Laboratories is 100% accurate. Trimega Laboratories partner with a DCA accredited laboratory for your entire DNA testing needs.
DNA testing from a scientific perspective provides probability results of above 99% confirming that a biological relationship exists. This is called an 'inclusion'.
DNA testing from a scientific perspective provides results of 100% confirming that a biological relationship does not exist, called an 'exclusion'.
When can testing be performed?
Testing can be performed before the child is born through one of 2 DNA sample collection processes, Amniocentesis or CVS.
Testing can be performed at delivery. A person of any age can undergo DNA testing.
How do I get my results?
DNA test results are sent out 7 to 10 business days from receipt of the samples. They are in a documented report which clearly tells you if a biological relationship exists or not.
Do I need to take blood for DNA testing?
No.DNA can be found in cheek cells in the saliva collected through buccal swabbing.
How do I know that I am collecting my samples correctly?
There is no need to be concerned over making mistakes. Our only concern is ensuring that enough cells are collected for testing. As long as you are collecting a sample from the appropriate person and are labelling the specimens correctly, there is no way that you could do anything to affect the DNA testing.
Who will collect the DNA samples?
Samples can be collected by your clients GP or a trained Trimega Laboratories' nurse.