*/
Due to advances in research, technology and techniques, AlphaBiolabs can now offer alcohol testing for head hair samples that are just 1cm in length
This means that even if a sample donor only has 1cm of head hair, we will still be able to test it for levels of the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) direct biomarker. This can then be reported as excessive use of alcohol, or as a negative result. If the head hair is less than 1cm in length, we can test body hair, fingernails or toenails.
Hair strand alcohol testing is one of the most effective ways of determining whether an individual has been drinking alcohol in excess for up to 6 months. When used in conjunction with other tests, such as blood alcohol tests, it can help paint a complete picture of a person’s historic alcohol consumption.
If the length of head hair is less than 1cm, body hair or nails can also be used to test for the presence of EtG.
Due to the slower rate at which body hair grows, body hair (e.g. from the arm, chest or leg) could provide up to a 12-month overview of alcohol use. A nail test for alcohol can show abstinence during an approximate 6-month period for fingernails or 12-month period for toenails, by identifying whether or not EtG is present in the sample.
Both body hair and nail testing for alcohol should also be supported by one or more blood tests.
We strongly recommend combining hair or nail alcohol testing with blood alcohol testing to give a fuller picture. There are 4 blood alcohol tests that can be used for legal purposes, which provide a 4-week overview of alcohol use or pathological changes due to long term excessive alcohol use:
CDT, LFT and MCV are all indirect biomarkers of alcohol and their presence can be affected by pre-existing medical conditions and medications, among other factors. However, PEth is a far superior test as it is a direct biomarker of alcohol (it possesses the unchanged ethyl group of alcohol in contrast to the indirect blood markers). This means that PEth is only present in the body when alcohol has been consumed, and is therefore without doubt the best blood testing option for the most accurate and reliable result.
SCRAM CAM® Continuous Alcohol Monitoring can be used as an alternative to, or complement our alcohol testing services. It is increasingly used as a transitioning measure where historical alcohol testing has already been undertaken, but ongoing drinking behaviour needs to be monitored.
It is also particularly beneficial over the festive season, as it can help provide reassurance during periods of childcare arrangements.
Key benefits include:
Our UKAS 17025-accredited DNA, Drug & Alcohol testing laboratory offers court-approved testing for legal professionals and social workers, with fast turnaround times and expert reporting.
Our nationwide network of professional sample collectors are trained to collect a variety of samples under chain of custody, including hair, nails and blood for alcohol testing.
We also offer alcohol monitoring using SCRAM CAM® and free sample collection for legally instructed tests from our 13 walk-in centres across the UK and Ireland: https://www.alphabiolabs.co.uk/find-walk-in-centres
This means that even if a sample donor only has 1cm of head hair, we will still be able to test it for levels of the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) direct biomarker. This can then be reported as excessive use of alcohol, or as a negative result. If the head hair is less than 1cm in length, we can test body hair, fingernails or toenails.
Hair strand alcohol testing is one of the most effective ways of determining whether an individual has been drinking alcohol in excess for up to 6 months. When used in conjunction with other tests, such as blood alcohol tests, it can help paint a complete picture of a person’s historic alcohol consumption.
If the length of head hair is less than 1cm, body hair or nails can also be used to test for the presence of EtG.
Due to the slower rate at which body hair grows, body hair (e.g. from the arm, chest or leg) could provide up to a 12-month overview of alcohol use. A nail test for alcohol can show abstinence during an approximate 6-month period for fingernails or 12-month period for toenails, by identifying whether or not EtG is present in the sample.
Both body hair and nail testing for alcohol should also be supported by one or more blood tests.
We strongly recommend combining hair or nail alcohol testing with blood alcohol testing to give a fuller picture. There are 4 blood alcohol tests that can be used for legal purposes, which provide a 4-week overview of alcohol use or pathological changes due to long term excessive alcohol use:
CDT, LFT and MCV are all indirect biomarkers of alcohol and their presence can be affected by pre-existing medical conditions and medications, among other factors. However, PEth is a far superior test as it is a direct biomarker of alcohol (it possesses the unchanged ethyl group of alcohol in contrast to the indirect blood markers). This means that PEth is only present in the body when alcohol has been consumed, and is therefore without doubt the best blood testing option for the most accurate and reliable result.
SCRAM CAM® Continuous Alcohol Monitoring can be used as an alternative to, or complement our alcohol testing services. It is increasingly used as a transitioning measure where historical alcohol testing has already been undertaken, but ongoing drinking behaviour needs to be monitored.
It is also particularly beneficial over the festive season, as it can help provide reassurance during periods of childcare arrangements.
Key benefits include:
Our UKAS 17025-accredited DNA, Drug & Alcohol testing laboratory offers court-approved testing for legal professionals and social workers, with fast turnaround times and expert reporting.
Our nationwide network of professional sample collectors are trained to collect a variety of samples under chain of custody, including hair, nails and blood for alcohol testing.
We also offer alcohol monitoring using SCRAM CAM® and free sample collection for legally instructed tests from our 13 walk-in centres across the UK and Ireland: https://www.alphabiolabs.co.uk/find-walk-in-centres
Due to advances in research, technology and techniques, AlphaBiolabs can now offer alcohol testing for head hair samples that are just 1cm in length
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
National courts are now running the bulk of the world’s war crimes cases and corporate prosecutions are part of this growing trend, reports Chris Stephen
Let’s hear it for the assessors, says Dame Anne Rafferty of the KC Selection Panel. And to make silk assessors’ lives a little easier when applicants come calling in May, Dame Anne fields some commonly asked questions