Here you will find a dynamic collection of videos offering insights into our services and expertise. With new content added regularly, our video hub is your dedicated resource for staying informed and confident in forensic drug and alcohol testing for family court proceedings.
FTS’ approach to drug and alcohol testing is fundamentally different to our competitors as we report all findings, even if traces of drugs and/or alcohol are found at a low level. We undertake a full forensic investigation by completing a detailed client questionnaire about all factors that could influence our findings.
Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, and Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, were invited to present at the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) annual conference programme to explore best practice in hair strand testing for family court proceedings.
Watch our bitesize presentation where Steve Nurdin, Senior Account Manager, introduces the Best Practice in Alcohol Testing presentation. Damian World, Technical Support and Reporting Manager, provides insight into different markers used for hair strand alcohol testing for family court proceedings.
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Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, explore the importance of consistency and accuracy in hair strand testing, particularly regarding the location of sample collection on the scalp. Differences in collection points can lead to significant variations in drug concentration levels, impacting the reliability of results.
The discussion emphasises the necessity of maintaining a proper chain of evidence, ensuring samples are collected, preserved, and analysed correctly to avoid misinterpretation. This video also touches on challenges posed by hair dye and the role of complementary testing methods in improving accuracy.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, discuss the role of hair strand testing as expert opinion evidence in legal cases. They highlight that while the science behind hair testing is sound, the interpretation of drug findings requires expert analysis and must not be treated as definitive proof.
The discussion emphasises the importance of considering hair strand test results within the broader evidential context, rather than in isolation. This video also explores legal cases where expert opinions varied and stresses the need for a comprehensive approach, including assessing external factors like contamination or hair treatments. Additionally, it questions the standardised approach imposed on experts and calls for a more flexible, context-driven interpretation.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, examine the flaws in using cut-off levels in hair strand testing (HST), particularly in legal cases. They explain how these arbitrary thresholds are used to distinguish drug use from exposure, despite numerous external factors affecting drug incorporation into hair.
Their discussion highlights the discriminatory nature of cut-off levels, as hair colour and ethnicity can significantly impact test results, leading to potential miscarriages of justice. This video argues that rigid cut-off levels oversimplify complex scientific findings and fail to provide the full context required for accurate interpretation. Instead, expert analysis should consider environmental exposure, individual differences, and case-specific details to avoid misleading conclusions.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, explore the inconsistencies in hair strand testing (HST) results across different laboratories. They highlight how variations in laboratory methods, decontamination processes, and extraction techniques can lead to significantly different results from the same hair sample.
Their discussion also addresses the impact of sample collection location on the scalp, as differences in sweat distribution can affect drug concentrations. These inconsistencies pose challenges for courts relying on HST, as results can vary depending on the laboratory used. This video emphasises the need for greater awareness of these variations to ensure more accurate and fair interpretations of drug testing results.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, explore racial bias in hair strand testing (HST) and its potential for miscarriages of justice. They highlight a legal case where a black father was wrongly accused of chronic cocaine use due to flawed hair test results, which were later disproven by nail testing.
Their discussion reveals how hair type, contamination, and outdated cut-off levels can lead to inaccurate results, disproportionately affecting people with black or darker hair. This video also presents research showing that a significant percentage of individuals are falsely identified as drug users due to flawed testing methods. It calls for greater scrutiny of HST in legal proceedings and provides resources for challenging unreliable evidence.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, challenge common misconceptions about positive hair strand test (HST) results, explaining that the presence of a drug in hair does not necessarily indicate drug use. It highlights the flaws in relying solely on cut-off levels, as external contamination, previous drug use, or environmental factors can also lead to drug detection.
Their discussion emphasises the importance of expert analysis in interpreting results, rather than assuming a binary positive or negative outcome. This video also critiques the way HST results are often presented in court, warning against turning expert opinion evidence into misleading “pseudo-certainty” without considering alternative explanations.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, explore the significant impact of hair treatments on hair strand testing (HST) results. They explain how heat, chemical treatments, and dyes can degrade hair, making it more porous and altering drug concentrations. These changes can lead to false positives or negatives, as drugs may be removed, redistributed, or transferred along the hair.
Their discussion highlights how oversimplified interpretations based on cut-off levels can misrepresent actual drug use. This video stresses the importance of considering hair treatment history, frequency, and sample collection location to ensure accurate and fair test results.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, provide guidance on how to successfully challenge hair strand testing (HST) evidence in court. They emphasise that while the underlying science of HST is sound, the key area for challenge is the interpretation of results.
Their discussion highlights how factors such as hair type, treatments, and contamination can impact drug findings, making it essential for experts to consider a full forensic history. This video critiques the reliance on arbitrary cut-off levels and calls for a more thorough approach, including additional testing methods like nail analysis. It stresses the importance of treating HST as expert evidence and ensuring courts receive a properly contextualised interpretation.
Paul Hunter, Technical Director at FTS, and Sarah Branson, Barrister at Coram Chambers, discuss the urgent need for changes in hair strand testing (HST) practices, particularly the elimination of cut-off levels, which can lead to inaccurate results and miscarriages of justice. They advocate for a shift towards proper expert analysis, ensuring that all relevant factors are considered rather than relying on arbitrary thresholds.
Their discussion also highlights the benefits of nail testing as a more reliable alternative, free from racial bias linked to hair melanin levels. This video emphasises the importance of instructing HST as expert evidence, allowing for the integration of evolving scientific developments to improve accuracy and fairness in legal cases.
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