Services
Expert Testing Services for Family Law and Safeguarding Cases
At Forensic Testing Services (FTS), we provide court-approved drug, alcohol and DNA testing for use in family law, social care and safeguarding cases. Our testing is carried out in our UKAS accredited laboratories and interpreted by qualified forensic toxicologists.
Every result is supported by expert insight and legal context, ensuring the courts receive not just a result but a full understanding of what it means.
Whether you are working on a complex care proceeding, a private family dispute or a safeguarding investigation, we provide the evidence you need to make informed decisions.
Our Services
We specialise in legally defensible, fully interpreted testing services for a range of substances and case types.
Alcohol Testing
Includes both short and long-term alcohol use assessments, including biomarkers and hair analysis, to support safeguarding and court decisions.
DNA Testing
Court-approved relationship and identity testing, delivered with discretion and clarity.
Drug Testing
Comprehensive analysis for a wide range of illicit, prescribed and synthetic drugs, with expert interpretation tailored to each case.
Sample Types We Use
Our team will advise you on the most appropriate sample type based on the needs of your case. We work with:
Hair Samples
EtG & EtPa detection for historic use of alcohol over a longer period.
PEth Fingerpick Samples
Detects alcohol consumption from 2 to 4 weeks through blood.
Whole Blood Samples
Useful for detecting specific alcohol markers such as LFTs, CDTs and MCVs.
Nail Samples
Used to support hair strand testing for historic substance use of alcohol via EtG.
Urine Samples
Provides a short-term snapshot alcohol via EtG.
Hair Samples
Detects repeated or historic use of drugs over a longer period. Can be segmented.
Nail Samples
Used to support hair strand testing for historic drug use. Unsegmented only.
Body / Arm hair Samples
Used to support hair strand testing for historic substance use. Unsegmented only.
Urine Samples
Provides a short-term snapshot of drug use.
Oral Fluid Sample
Used for relationship testing, including paternity, maternity and sibling testing, with full chain of custody.
Prenatal DNA Testing
Non-invasive paternity testing during pregnancy using a maternal blood sample and a saliva sample from the alleged father.
Our Process
We have developed a clear and accountable process to ensure fast, accurate and legally compliant results:
Dedicated Account Manager: A named contact manages your case from start to finish
Instruction Received: We confirm your testing requirements and provide timelines
Client Questionnaire Completed: We gather essential context before collection
Sample Collection Arranged: Carried out by trained professionals on-site or at a chosen location
Samples Returned to Laboratory: Chain of custody is maintained throughout
Report Delivered: Results are interpreted by forensic toxicologists and prepared for court use
An online portal is accessible for customers as soon as a quote is accepted, allowing for progress and results to be tracked in real time.
Our Laboratory
All testing is conducted in-house at our UKAS accredited laboratory in West Yorkshire. As a UKAS Accredited Testing Laboratory No. 7550, we operate in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards. This confirms that every result is scientifically valid, legally defensible and handled with care.
Expert Reports
We do not just provide results. We provide expert opinion evidence.
Every FTS report is reviewed and signed by qualified forensic toxicologists. Where required, we can also provide written statements and expert witnesses for court. Our reports are used confidently across family courts, care proceedings and safeguarding investigations.
Why Choose FTS for your Testing?
We believe every case deserves the full picture.
That is why every FTS test includes forensic-level scrutiny, giving legal teams and local authorities the confidence to make the right call, not just the easiest one. When you choose FTS, you are choosing evidence that goes beyond the surface. Because lives depend on it.
What Our Customers Say
FAQ
When is it appropriate to test a child?
Child testing is highly sensitive and must be clinically and legally justified. We can advise on when testing may be necessary and what sample types are appropriate.
What are the effects of hair treatments on test results?
Bleaching, dyeing and excessive heat can affect the detectability of substances in hair. Our reports take this into account and provide interpretation to avoid misleading conclusions.
How close does someone need to be to a drug user for that drug to show in their own test?
Environmental exposure is generally distinguishable from active use. FTS scientific methods and reporting make a clear distinction between passive or environmental exposure and active use.
Not sure which test is right for your case?
Speak to our team for expert advice and a fast, clear quote.
General Enquiries
Call: 01924 480272
Email: expert@forensic-testing.co.uk
Office Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 17:30
Out of hours message service available