A mere one centimetre in length is enough for testing due to advances in research, technology and techniques. According to AlphaBiolabs, one cm of head hair can be tested for levels of the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) direct biomarker. This can then be reported as excessive use of alcohol, or as a negative result.
However, where clients have less than one cm of head hair, alcohol testing can still take place by using body hair, fingernails or toenails.
Marie Davies, toxicology reporting manager at AlphaBiolabs, explains more in this week’s NLJ, for example, body hair testing can reveal intake during the past 12 months. Davies recommends combining hair or nail tests with blood alcohol testing for a fuller picture.
Four blood alcohol tests can be used or legal purposes, providing a four-week overview of alcohol use. AlphaBiolabs also provides SCRAM CAM® Continuous Alcohol Monitoring, which can be particularly useful where ongoing drinking behaviour needs to be monitored, for example, over the festive period.
Legal professionals can claim 15% off AlphaBiolabs’ alcohol testing or SCRAM CAM® until 31 December 2023. Simply cite ALCS15 when requesting your quote.
For more information, contact AlphaBiolabs' legal new enquiry team on 0333 600 1300, email testing@alphabiolabs.com or visit www.alphabiolabs.co.uk.
