Legal Alcohol Testing

Hair alcohol testing works by looking at two biomarkers of ethanol (the intoxicating agent in alcoholic drinks): Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) and Ethyl Palmitate (EtPa/FAEE).

The level of alcohol consumed will determine the level of these markers in the hair. Both types of markers are incorporated into the hair via different routes: EtG via sweat and EtPa via sebum (an oily substance secreted by glands in the skin).

By performing these two different types of hair analysis, our toxicologists can assist in building evidence to support the diagnosis of chronic excessive alcohol consumption with a greater degree of certainty.

Alcohol testing is performed for a variety of reasons during family law proceedings, from helping authorities make crucial decisions about a child’s welfare, to family courts handling custody disputes.

In circumstances where alcohol misuse is a concern, and a child may be unsafe at home, alcohol testing can help authorities understand the extent of a parent or caregiver’s alcohol use or establish patterns of misuse over time.

It can also be used to demonstrate abstinence, providing a valuable tool in circumstances where a parent or caregiver must demonstrate compliance with a court order.

Both EtG and EtPa biomarkers are analysed because their levels are impacted by different external factors.

EtG is water soluble, which means that some of the marker may be lost through excessive hair washing and the use of hair dye.

EtPa on the other hand is lipophilic (not water soluble), so although not affected by hair washing, the amount detected could be affected using hairsprays, gels and wax, which contain alcohol.

Because of the respective strengths and weaknesses of EtG and EtPa tests, both tests should be performed and their findings used to support each other in order to determine chronic consumption of alcohol.

Indeed, as per the London Borough of Richmond vs. B & W & B & CB (2010) EWHC 2903 (Fam) case, the Court ruled that EtG and EtPa tests should always be used together.

It went further saying that court-ordered hair analysis findings should not be used in isolation but in conjunction with all evidence for the case including witness reports, other tests performed and any clinical assessments carried out.

AlphaBiolabs also recommends combining court-ordered hair alcohol tests with blood tests wherever possible, to further strengthen the findings.

If head hair is unavailable, body hair can be used to test for the presence of Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG).

However, due to the way in which Ethyl Palmitate (EtPa) is incorporated into hair, body hair can only be used to test for EtG, not EtPa.

Due to the rate at which body hair grows, the period is also more approximate, with body hair providing us with up to a 12-month overview of alcohol use.

When testing body hair for the presence of EtG, we also recommend blood alcohol testing (e.g. PEth testing) to gain a greater insight into an individual’s alcohol consumption.

At AlphaBiolabs, we offer four different types of blood alcohol test for use in legal cases – PEth, CDT, LFT and MCV testing.

• PEth testing will show whether a person is likely to have been drinking alcohol excessively, moderately, or to a low enough level to be considered abstinent up to 4 weeks’ prior to sample collection.
• CDT, LFT and MCV blood alcohol tests can only be used to draw a conclusion about chronic and excessive alcohol use and should be used in conjunction with PEth testing and/or other alcohol tests (such as hair alcohol testing) for the most conclusive insights into historic alcohol consumption.

Learn more about our Blood Alcohol Testing

Yes. An added advantage of the SCRAM CAM bracelet is that the real-time results offered mean the wearer can be monitored whilst within the family unit.

Learn more about SCRAM CAM.

A court-compliant alcohol test report needs to meet strict evidential standards to be admissible and useful to the court. At minimum, it should include:

• A clear summary of findings written in plain language for non-scientific readers
• Full identification of the sample donor, including samples collected and verified photo ID
• Detailed analytical results with explanation of the testing methodology used
• Technical context, including the biomarkers tested, cut-off levels, interpretation criteria, and what constitutes chronic or excessive alcohol consumption
• The qualifications and experience of the Reporting Scientist
• A signed declaration that the report represents the scientist’s independent professional opinion

Reports must also be legally defensible under Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules (2010), which governs the use of expert evidence in family proceedings.

AlphaBiolabs’ Expert Reports are prepared by qualified Reporting Scientists with specialist experience in toxicology for family law and meet all the above requirements.

The results are considered in relation to Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) cut-off levels for alcohol biomarkers (EtG and EtPa). Results above these thresholds are considered consistent with patterns of chronic, excessive alcohol consumption over the period represented by the hair sample.

Even where results are above cut-off thresholds, they must not be used in isolation and can only be properly interpreted in conjunction with the wider case evidence, including witness statements, other test results (e.g. blood alcohol tests), and any relevant clinical assessments.

No. Hair alcohol tests provide an overview of use over a defined period; they cannot specify exact times or dates of alcohol consumption.

Hair alcohol testing cannot by itself confirm complete abstinence. Interpretation should consider clinical context and, where appropriate, additional testing (e.g. blood alcohol testing) and professional assessment.