ABOUT OUR HAIR STRAND TESTING

A hair strand test for drugs and alcohol is highly accurate –
and is almost impossible to cheat.

The method can be used to detect virtually all drug and alcohol substances, between seven days and six months after their use. Test results also indicate the month in which someone took a substance, and so can be used to build a ‘picture’ of substance use over time.

Minimal amount of hair collected – using the ‘Cansford’ method
A small amount of hair is taken by a trained sample collector – usually from the head (we only need about a shoelace worth, less than many laboratories).

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Cheating a hair strand test for drugs and alcohol is almost impossible

Fixing a hair test is exceptionally difficult. Dyeing or bleaching hair – or using any other chemical treatments – may damage the outer sheath of an individual’s hair, leading to drugs leaching from the hair.

We use accurate and sensitive equipment
The sensitivity of the equipment used means that we are usually able to detect the remaining metabolites, and our scientists will take the condition of the hair into account to accurately report findings.

Additional samples can also assist with accuracy
Should an individual’s hair be completely unsuitable for testing, we can still use body hair or fingernails – for an accurate result.

hair strand test
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Today, Cansford Laboratories offers the fastest hair testing service in the UK. All results within 3 days.

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What you need to know about hair testing:

Detection window:

For alcohol, 7 days–6 months
For drugs, 7 days–indefinite (dependant on hair length)

Collection method:

A hair sample of around 5-millimetre thickness is taken from the head or body of the donor, and deposited in a sealed, tamper-proof envelope. This is sent to the laboratory for testing.

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Advantages:

  • Exceptionally difficult to cheat
  • Indicates patterns of drug or alcohol use over weeks and months
  • Highly sensitive; highly accurate
  • Simple, non-invasive collection
  • Fast results turnaround, when performed by Cansford Laboratories.
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Disadvantages:

  • Hair tests cannot precisely determine the quantity of substances used by the donor
  • Samples cannot indicate substance use less than 7 days after the incident.

For a full list of substances tested for, please click here

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Cansford Laboratories is ISO 17025 accredited and checks each sample for a wide range of substances and their metabolites.

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How does hair testing work?

When ingested, drugs and alcohol produce specific chemical markers in the body called metabolites. These markers pass into hair, which subsequently acts as a record of an individual’s drug or alcohol use.

The presence of the metabolites helps to prove that the compound was ingested by the donor, and not simply the result of external contamination – for example, another person using drugs in the donor’s presence.

When ingested, drugs and alcohol produce specific chemical markers in the body called metabolites. These markers pass into hair, which subsequently acts as a record of an individual’s drug or alcohol use.

The presence of the metabolites helps to prove that the compound was ingested by the donor, and not simply the result of external contamination – for example, another person using drugs in the donor’s presence.

When ingested, drugs and alcohol produce specific chemical markers in the body called metabolites. These markers pass into hair, which subsequently acts as a record of an individual’s drug or alcohol use.

The presence of the metabolites helps to prove that the compound was ingested by the donor, and not simply the result of external contamination – for example, another person using drugs in the donor’s presence.

Testimonials

“Cansford are great. Sample collectors are always available for appointments at short notice. The quotations are always sent over within minutes of requesting them and the staff are really friendly and helpful. The reports are always easy to understand and very thorough."

Lucy McGowan

Haygarth Jones Solicitors

“Cansford are great. Sample collectors are always available for appointments at short notice. The quotations are always sent over within minutes of requesting them and the staff are really friendly and helpful. The reports are always easy to understand and very thorough."

Lucy McGowan

Haygarth Jones Solicitors

“Cansford are great. Sample collectors are always available for appointments at short notice. The quotations are always sent over within minutes of requesting them and the staff are really friendly and helpful. The reports are always easy to understand and very thorough."

Lucy McGowan

Haygarth Jones Solicitors

“Cansford are great. Sample collectors are always available for appointments at short notice. The quotations are always sent over within minutes of requesting them and the staff are really friendly and helpful. The reports are always easy to understand and very thorough."

Lucy McGowan

Haygarth Jones Solicitors

Seeking drug, alcohol or DNA test quotes ?

Request yours here or call our laboratory direct on:

029 2054 0567

Are you a solicitor or social worker?

Complete our Quotation Request Form for Drug and Alcohol Testing and we will prepare your case-specific quotation.

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