Drug Testing
Court-Compliant Drug Testing with Expert Interpretation
Forensic Testing Services (FTS) provides expert drug testing for use in family court, child custody cases and safeguarding investigations.
Our court-approved testing provides expert opinion for the pre-proceedings stage, ensuring defensible results that meet strict court deadlines and deliver the full context of each case.
All testing is performed in our UKAS-accredited laboratory and interpreted by qualified toxicologists.
Sample Types for Drug Testing
We use a range of sample types to build a clear picture of substance use across different timeframes. Our team will advise on the best combination for your case.
Hair Strand Testing
A hair strand drug test provides a long-term view of drug use, typically covering 1 to 6 months. It is the most commonly used method in family court because it shows repeated patterns of substance use or abstinence.
Nails
Similar to hair, nails offer a historical view of drug use. This method is suitable if head hair is not available or appropriate.
Urine
Urine testing is useful for detecting recent use of drugs, typically within the last 1 to 4 days. It is often used in abstinence monitoring or in conjunction with longer-term tests.
Blood
Blood samples detect very recent drug use and can also be used to assess medical conditions related to drug exposure. It is typically used in time-sensitive or health-related investigations.
Our Laboratory
All analysis is performed in-house at our UKAS accredited laboratories in West Yorkshire. As UKAS Testing Laboratory No. 7550, we operate to ISO/IEC 17025 standards, ensuring legal defensibility and consistent scientific accuracy.
Expert Reports that support the Public Law Outline process
Our reports are more than just simple results.
Every case is reviewed and signed by a qualified forensic toxicologist, providing expert opinion evidence that takes the full context into account. This means local authorities, solicitors and private paying customers have reliable findings in the pre-proceedings stage, helping keep timelines on track and costs low.
We never use Society of Hair Testing cut-off levels, which have been shown to be racially biased and omit potentially relevant findings. Instead, we explain the relevance of the findings in clear terms that help courts and professionals make informed decisions.
FTS’s expert assessment of all available evidence enables the court to arrive at the right decision the first time, based on the “balance of probabilities” required.
Where needed, our experts can provide written statements or attend court as expert witnesses.
Why Choose FTS for your Drug Testing?
We know that every drug test we perform has serious implications for the child and the family involved. That is why we never take shortcuts, and why we believe every case deserves expert scrutiny.
We go beyond the standard approach to drug testing to ensure courts and professionals receive the full picture.
Fully accredited in-house laboratories based in the UK
Results analysed by qualified forensic toxicologists
Our expert reports include interpretation of all results, not just simplistic certificates of analysis or “yes/no” answers that miss out key evidence. We also never use Society of Hair Testing cut-off levels, which can cause racial bias and incomplete and misleading reports.
Proven expertise in complex cases, including testing newborns and children.
We have the largest UKAS accredited panel for drug testing in hair, as well as one of the largest panels for new psychoactive drugs.
We are the only provider accredited to test for prebagalin and gabapentin.
We are the only provider operating our own fleet of mobile collection vans, offering clients a discreet and sterile environment for sample collection at their preferred location.
We can provide expert witnesses for court appearances.
Our Notify and Report service
News & Insights
What Our Customers Say
FAQ
When is it appropriate to test a child?
Testing of a child can be court-ordered in care proceedings if there are safeguarding concerns due to alcohol or drug exposure. A child will be tested to help the court make an informed safeguarding decision on what is in the best interest of the child, not to criminalise a parent or guardian. However, the outcome of a test can influence a court’s decision on who a child lives with or on the type of contact a parent/guardian has with the child.
What are the effects of hair treatments on test results?
Bleaching, dyeing or use of thermal hair straighteners and other heated styling products can affect drug retention in hair and create potentially misleading results if not contextualised. When Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) cut-off levels are applied to results, someone with black hair is also more likely to test positive for some substances than someone with blonde or ginger hair.
Our reports account for hair styling or treatments and explain their potential impact on accuracy. FTS also never uses SoHT cut-off levels, instead reporting all findings and explaining their significance, as we are required to do by the Courts.
Are there medical conditions that affect drug absorption?
Yes. Besides hair colour, pregnancy, BMI and certain medical conditions and medications can affect the level of drugs found. Our toxicologists consider these factors when reporting results.
Can someone test positive just by being near a drug user?
Environmental or passive exposure is possible in some cases but typically produces much lower levels than active use. Our experts can distinguish between active use and exposure and will explain it clearly if relevant to the case.
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