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Chain of Custody hair sample collection kit for confirmatory laboratory drug testing
The Hair Drug Confirmation Kit is a complete professional collection kit for gathering, packaging and despatching hair samples to an accredited laboratory for confirmatory drug testing. Hair testing provides a significantly longer detection window than urine or oral fluid. A standard 3 cm head hair sample reflects approximately 0-3 months of drug use history, and extended history testing is possible with longer samples.
The kit is used in workplace investigations, child safeguarding assessments, legal proceedings, insurance programmes and any situation where a robust, defensible, long-window drug use history is required. The kit includes all materials for a standardised, Chain of Custody compliant collection.
Please refer to the references page for information on drug parameters and cut‑off levels.
Product and testing parameters
Key benefits
Extended detection window - a 3 cm sample reflects approximately 0-3 months of drug use history
Full Chain of Custody kit with tamper-evident bag, security seal and documented consent process
Non-invasive collection method from head or body hair with no specialist facilities required
Standardised sampling process supports consistent, reliable laboratory analysis
Suitable for head or body hair collection where head hair is unavailable
Designed for workplace, clinical, forensic and safeguarding drug testing programmes
About Hair Drug Testing
Hair drug testing analyses segments of the hair shaft for drug metabolites and parent compounds incorporated as the hair grows. The standard growth rate of approximately 1 cm per month allows a 3 cm sample to reflect approximately 3 months of exposure history. Laboratory analysis uses LC-MS/MS for definitive identification and quantification.
What is hair drug testing used for?
Hair drug testing is used to identify patterns of drug use over an extended period by analysing the incorporation of drug metabolites into the hair shaft as it grows. It is used in workplace investigations, legal proceedings, child safeguarding, custody cases and insurance programmes.
How long is the detection window for hair drug testing?
A standard 3 cm head hair sample represents approximately 0-3 months of drug use history, based on average hair growth of approximately 1 cm per month. Longer samples can extend the detection window accordingly.
How much hair is needed?
A minimum of approximately 100 strands, trimmed to 3.0 cm from the scalp, is required for standard testing. The sample should be approximately the diameter of a pencil.
Can body hair be used instead of head hair?
Yes, with donor consent and if head hair is unavailable. Body hair must be collected and documented separately. Note that body hair grows at a different rate than head hair, so the time window represented may differ.
Is hair drug testing affected by hair treatments?
Hair bleaching, colouring and chemical treatments may affect drug concentrations in the hair shaft. The accredited laboratory will consider this during analysis and interpretation.
What happens after the kit is sent to the laboratory?
The laboratory will analyse the hair sample using LC-MS/MS and provide a written report with the confirmed results. Turnaround times vary by laboratory.
Dr Rahul Batra, Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital
SureScreen lateral flow testing provided a result at the bedside within 10 mins which, when positive for symptomatic patients, enabled movement into a COVID-19 bay without delay.
Cordell Health
SureScreen Diagnostics are very efficient in their responses when ordering consumables, offer excellent advice when we have drug queries and you have a user-friendly portal.
Mac Clinical Research
Fantastic company! Excellent helpful customer service, efficient ordering, and delivery process.
Premiership Rugby
Premiership Rugby and our Clubs have been working with SureScreen Diagnostics since March 2021. We have always received professional and prompt responses to all of our queries and orders.
Endovab Care
We have close and swift access to SureScreen Account Managers and received prompt answers to questions and impeccable deliveries. We are very satisfied with product quality and deliveries.