Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair follicle analysis has emerged as a significant asset for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a longitudinal profile of intoxicants by embedding markers in its strand fibers. When snipped near the base, it can reveal substance use up to around three months prior. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.
A section measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a pencil's width) near the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred quantity for initial and confirmatory tests. For testing involving EtG, additional checks, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale is suggested for specimen measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, equivalent body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other categories (facial, underarm, etc.).
Procedure Breakdown
Key stages in lab processing of drug testing results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the preliminary integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This involves confirming the sample is sealed and sent correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and recording any additional details not included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers an initial overview for substance abuse. Although it’s an economic solution for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates further verification for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for further Extraction. This stage isolates drugs at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most intricate process.
Confirming any positive Screening results utilizes technologies like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples flagged as presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug analysis:
Drawbacks:
Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle underneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ottertail, MN
Hair testing offers significant advantages over urine tests. It provides a longer detection window and higher accuracy in identifying substance use history.
Extended Detection Window in Ottertail, MN
Hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive view of drug use with its extended detection period, covering up to 90 days.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ottertail, MN
The hair follicle test is well-known for its resistance to tampering, offering reliable and unquestionable results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ottertail, MN
Our nationwide network of testing centers offers convenient, quick, and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Ottertail, MN
The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and maintains privacy throughout.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ottertail, MN
Our testing services provide competitive pricing with a focus on fast turnaround times.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ottertail, MN
The hair follicle drug test is renowned for its precision and quick turnaround times.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ottertail, MN
Employing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies and mitigates legal risks.
