Paternity DNA Testing
Get clear, accurate results with hair strand testing you can trust.
Hair strand testing can detect a wide range of drugs and alcohol, covering use from approximately seven days up to six months or longer, depending on hair length. By segmenting the sample, we can demonstrate patterns of use over time, providing clarity in legal and safeguarding cases.
Panels can be tailored to your requirements, including our Common 9 (C-9) and Extended 18 (E-18) panels.
Advantages of hair testing
- Indicates patterns of drug or alcohol use over weeks and months
- Highly sensitive; highly accurate
- Simple, non-invasive collection
- Fast results
Disadvantages of hair testing
- 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.
Our laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 and operates to UKAS Lab 51 standards.
Hair samples are collected by trained professionals. Only a small amount is required, typically less than many other laboratories request. Samples are analysed using highly sensitive equipment, allowing detection of even trace levels of substances.
Where scalp hair is unsuitable, body hair or fingernails may be used.
Important information
Detection windows
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.
which drugs are detectable?
Please have a look at our Panels available which shows different detection levels or get in touch with our team.
How hair strand
testing works
1. ingestion & metabolism
2. Incorporation into Hair
3. Laboratory Analysis
Speak to our team about your testing requirements
hair strand testing FAQs
How are these samples taken?
Hair samples are usually taken from the head, but can also be collected from areas like the chest, legs, or arms. A trained collector uses scissors to cut a small sample, about the size of a shoelace, which is then sealed in a tamper-proof envelope and sent to the lab.
To ensure accurate results, it’s important that a trained professional collects the sample. Professionals like a GP or solicitor are acceptable, but we recommend using a trained collector.
At Cansford, we provide expert collectors who can arrive anywhere in the UK within 48 hours, making the process as comfortable as possible for the donor.
How far back can a hair strand drug test detect drug use?
Hair samples are usually taken from the head, but can also be collected from areas like the chest, legs, or arms. A trained collector uses scissors to cut a small sample, about the size of a shoelace, which is then sealed in a tamper-proof envelope and sent to the lab.
To ensure accurate results, it’s important that a trained professional collects the sample. Professionals like a GP or solicitor are acceptable, but we recommend using a trained collector.
At Cansford, we provide expert collectors who can arrive anywhere in the UK within 48 hours, making the process as comfortable as possible for the donor.
How far back can a hair strand drug test detect drug use?
Hair samples are usually taken from the head, but can also be collected from areas like the chest, legs, or arms. A trained collector uses scissors to cut a small sample, about the size of a shoelace, which is then sealed in a tamper-proof envelope and sent to the lab.
To ensure accurate results, it’s important that a trained professional collects the sample. Professionals like a GP or solicitor are acceptable, but we recommend using a trained collector.
At Cansford, we provide expert collectors who can arrive anywhere in the UK within 48 hours, making the process as comfortable as possible for the donor.
How far back can a hair strand drug test detect drug use?
Hair samples are usually taken from the head, but can also be collected from areas like the chest, legs, or arms. A trained collector uses scissors to cut a small sample, about the size of a shoelace, which is then sealed in a tamper-proof envelope and sent to the lab.
To ensure accurate results, it’s important that a trained professional collects the sample. Professionals like a GP or solicitor are acceptable, but we recommend using a trained collector.
At Cansford, we provide expert collectors who can arrive anywhere in the UK within 48 hours, making the process as comfortable as possible for the donor.