Taking a Strand Campaign Webinar

Paul Hunter our Founder, recently participated in a webinar by campaigners looking at the use of hair strand testing in the family courts.

The Taking a Strand Campaign, organised by the charity Birth Companions in partnership with 4PB Chambers and MSB Solicitors, was inspired by two articles about problems with current practices written by Paul Hunter and barrister, Sarah Branson of Coram Chambers:

• Read the article: Recent scientific developments in hair strand testing and racial bias in current practices of hair strand testing
• Read the article: What next for hair strand testing in the family justice system: Re D (Children Interim Care Order Hair Strand Testing)

As part of the campaign, signatories including FTS sent an open letter urging the Family Division and the Family Justice Board to review how hair strand testing is used and instructed as part of family court proceedings.

The letter prompted Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, to establish a Family Justice Council working group to explore the issues raised by FTS and the open letter.

The family courts use hair strand testing to establish drug and alcohol use among parents or guardians. Results of these tests can often be a determining factor in decisions about whether children are taken into local authority care or remain with their biological parents or family members.

Given the extraordinary impact these tests have, FTS believes that hair strand testing companies have a duty to provide the full facts, as well as to report all findings, to the courts. Such tests need to be instructed properly, as expert opinion evidence, from the outset, and the findings should not use Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) cut-off levels. You can read FTS’ position on the use of SoHT cut-offs in our recent articles: ‘‘Why we think cut-off levels are inappropriate for the family courts’ and ‘Use of cut-off levels: the wellbeing of families hangs in the balance.’

Contact Us

FTS can provide free-of-charge templates for ordering hair strand testing as expert opinion evidence, as well as a free guide on how to challenge disputed results.  We are also happy to provide similar presentations to your team.

For further information please contact us on: 01924 480272 or email: expert@forensic-testing.co.uk

Please watch the ‘Taking a Strand’ webinar and download a copy of the webinar slides.