Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kimberling City, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair examination is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substances by embedding biomarkers within its fibers during growth. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly three months for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily altered, and convenient for transportation.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the prime amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or screenings above 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When 'head hair' is mentioned, it refers solely to scalp hair. 'Body hair' encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab system, including verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs. While Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation for court validity. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other means (e.g., urine or mouth fluid), which renders hair drug analysis the most challenging to execute.

The Confirmation of positive Screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples testing positive are washed as necessary before Confirmation. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: It is exceptionally challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Yields historical insights: It reveals a pattern of substance use over a timeline, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5 to 7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kimberling City, MO

• Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, making it a more reliable choice than traditional urine tests.
• Advanced detection techniques within hair testing provide a clearer substance use history, offering enhanced dependability over standard urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kimberling City, MO

• Hair follicle tests detect drugs over a longer span, up to 90 days, granting a thorough view of an individual's substance habits.
• Employers benefit from a more comprehensive history of substance use, facilitating informed decisions during hiring or assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kimberling City, MO

• Hair follicle tests are inherently resistant to tampering, significantly reducing sample adulteration risks.
• This robust method provides reliable results, offering indisputable evidence that safeguards against false negatives or cheating.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kimberling City, MO

• Our widespread network of testing centers ensures seamless access to testing services across the country.
• Local testing sites provide convenience, expediting the process and making it hassle-free for participants.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kimberling City, MO

• The process for ordering, conducting, and reviewing test results is straightforward and respects privacy.
• Confidentiality is paramount, guaranteeing participants' information is secure throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kimberling City, MO

• Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times are designed to deliver superb value, catering to companies of every size.
• Clients receive swift results, easing their operational needs and offering cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Kimberling City, MO

• Hair follicle tests offer exceptional precision, ensuring that detection of substance use is both rapid and accurate.
• The testing process is streamlined, minimizing any delay between sample collection and results, delivering swift and trustworthy outcomes for all involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kimberling City, MO

• Adopting hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities.
• This method enhances workplace safety, providing employers with the confidence that they are diligently maintaining regulatory standards.

Drug Testing Near Kimberling City, MO

McCord Bend, MO

Hollister, MO

Branson, MO

Shell Knob, MO

Cape Fair, MO

Reeds Spring, MO

Blue Eye, MO

Table Rock, MO

Branson West, MO

Indian Point, MO

Coney Island, MO

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews