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Understanding DNA Testing and Toxicology

for the Legal Sector

DNA Test Accuracy: How Reliable Are They Really?

Published 10/04/2025

Globally, millions of people are testing their DNA, but how accurate are DNA tests? Accuracy depends on so many factors - the type of test taken, where it's taken, who takes it, the labs conducting the test, and our list could go on. When you choose a reliable, accredited company like AttoLife to assist you with your DNA testing, you ensure reliable and accurate results.

Case Tracking Portal

Published 08/04/2025

AttoLife is delighted to launch our user-friendly new Case Tracking Portal for the legal profession. The portal offers maximum security and full control over your cases. Any time there is a change to your case, whether that's DNA, Drug or Alcohol testing, we'll notify you. Or you can log in at any time to track the case status using our real-time tracking option.

Reflections from the Jersey International Child Law Conference 2025

Published 03/04/2025

On March 14, 2025, legal professionals from across the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, and beyond gathered for the Jersey Child Law Conference hosted by Corbett Le Quesne law first, an essential event for those involved in family and child law. The conference provided a platform for barristers, solicitors, judges, and child welfare specialists to explore key issues affecting vulnerable children in legal proceedings. A major focus of the discussions this year was drug and alcohol testing; particularly the role of hair strand analysis in child law cases.

DNA Learnings from Gattaca

Published 25/03/2025

We sat down with expert geneticist, Dr. Steve Cummings, to discuss the film Gattaca. How real is it? it’s actually quite thought-provoking and, in some ways, quite authentic. The point isn’t necessarily scientific accuracy. It’s more about the questions it raises.

Jurassic Park and the Reality of DNA Extraction

Published 20/03/2025

While Jurassic Park is pure fiction, the idea of extracting DNA from old samples is very real. At AttoLife, we sometimes need to work with degraded DNA samples—though for legal cases, not dinosaurs!

Cocaine: External Contamination, Inconclusive Results, and Legal Implications

Published 27/02/2025

Cocaine testing, particularly in hair and other biological samples, plays a critical role in forensic and legal contexts. However, interpreting these results comes with its own set of challenges, especially when subjects are exposed to external contamination. With that in mind, inconclusive results and potential legal implications are a likely scenario.

The Role of Alcohol Biomarkers in Family Law

Published 05/02/2025

In family law proceedings, alcohol testing plays a vital role in ensuring fair and informed decisions. From custody disputes to compliance monitoring, understanding how alcohol biomarkers function can provide clarity in complex cases. Key biomarkers like PEth, ETG, and CDT offer insight into drinking patterns, ranging from chronic excessive consumption to occasional social drinking.

Paternity Testing While Pregnant: Is It Safe?

Published 25/01/2025

Determining paternity during pregnancy, or conducting a prenatal test, can provide peace of mind for expectant parents without having to wait an agonising 9 months—in fact the test can be done as early as 7-8 weeks into pregnancy. But, is it safe to get a paternity test while pregnant?

What is a Toxicology Report and What it Shows

Published 24/01/2025

Substances like drugs, alcohol, or toxins can and do impact the health and mental health of an individual. We can confidently comprehend substance use thanks to toxicology and, more importantly, toxicology reports. They have significance in a variety of scenarios, particularly in family law cases involving child custody and child support cases. In family law, toxicology reports can highlight drug and alcohol abuse that might directly impact the care and well-being of a child.

Does Ketamine Appear on Drug Tests? Everything You Need to Know - AttoLife

Published 21/01/2025

Ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic, is becoming a more popular drug in the UK thanks to the party culture. And to answer the question does ketamine show in drug tests? - yes, it does. In 2023, usage among people aged 16-24 in England and Wales increased to 3.8% up from only 0.9% in 2006-2007.

Drug and Alcohol Testing for Family Law

Published 14/01/2025

Mathew Wade is a forensic toxicologist and lab manager at AttoLife. When it comes to drug and alcohol lab testing, Mat is a pro at examining the evidence and writing reports that can be used in the justice system.

Cocaine: Are Your Children Exposed?

Published 14/01/2025

Drugs can be present in the environment and may transfer to the hair through incidental contact. A common example is handling banknotes, which often carry trace amounts of cocaine. This can result in contamination that appears in hair samples. However, correct lab testing procedures can tell the difference between accidental exposure and active use.

No Excuses: Why Hydroxycocaine Rules Out Passive Cocaine Exposure

Published 07/01/2025

When a hair drug test shows a positive result for cocaine, the immediate question is often: "Was this drug actively consumed, or could environmental contamination explain it?" or “Could the drug result be due to false positive drug test results due to external exposure?” Shared spaces, personal contact, or even handling contaminated items can result in trace amounts of cocaine appearing in hair strand drug tests or even under a person’s fingernails.

How (Not) to Trick Your SCRAM Bracelet

Published 24/12/2024

At AttoLife, a leader in alcohol monitoring solutions, we often hear some creative theories about ways people think they can fool their SCRAM bracelet (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring). From everyday foods to household items, there’s no shortage of myths about how to beat alcohol detection systems. Spoiler alert: none of these tricks work. Let’s dive into the myths and see why these ideas don’t hold up.

Enhanced Kinship Testing at Attolife - 646 Additional DNA Markers

Published 23/12/2024

AttoLife is proud to announce a groundbreaking advancement in our DNA testing capabilities: the introduction of 646 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers from the Rita microarray panel into our kinship testing services. This enhancement will complement our existing court-admissible, accredited Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers, providing more accurate and conclusive results.

What Is the CDT Blood Test for Alcohol?

Published 20/12/2024

Historically, methods like the Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin (CDT) test, Liver Function Tests (LFTs), and Mean Corpuscular/Cell Volume (MCV) analysis have been employed as blood tests for alcohol abuse. However, at AttoLife, we’ve seen a positive shift away from CDT, LFTs, and MCV towards Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing.

Understanding Cut-Off Levels in Hair Drug Testing

Published 19/12/2024

The presence of drugs in a drug screen hair test does not always lead to a positive result. Even when drugs are detected, the outcome may still be reported as "Not Detected." Similarly, when a drug is not found, it does not definitively prove that drugs were not consumed.

Q&A From Our Recent SCRAM Webinar

Published 18/12/2024

In family law proceedings, accurate alcohol testing can be crucial for determining parenting capabilities or compliance with court orders. During a recent webinar, experts answered key questions about the types of alcohol tests available, including blood, hair, and SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor), and their application in legal cases. This article summarises the insightful discussion, offering clarity on how these tests work, their costs, and their suitability for different scenarios.

Understanding the Hair Drug Test Process for Legal Purposes

Published 04/12/2024

When legal cases require drug and alcohol testing, precision and professionalism are critical. AttoLife, an independent UK-based laboratory, offers hair drug testing as a reliable solution. Whether you’re a family law solicitor, a local authority, or another stakeholder in legal proceedings, understanding the hair strand drug test process is essential to ensure transparency and accuracy.

Understanding How SCRAM Continuous Monitoring Provides Real-Time Alcohol Detection

Published 02/12/2024

Alcohol testing is a critical tool used to monitor individuals in various settings, from child care proceedings at family courts, self awareness and rehabilitation programs. Traditional methods like blood, urine, and hair alcohol testing play specific roles in detecting historic alcohol use.

Can Dyeing Hair Really Help Beat Alcohol Testing?

Published 21/11/2024

At AttoLife, we often encounter questions and misconceptions about alcohol testing, particularly when it comes to hair testing. One of the most common myths is that dyeing your hair can help you avoid detection in alcohol tests. While it may seem like a simple solution, the reality is a bit more complex. Let’s dive into the science behind hair alcohol testing and whether dyeing your hair can truly make a difference.

The UK Legal System Is Failing to Order the Right Toxicology Tests Due to Cost

Published 18/11/2024

The UK legal system is currently inhibited by cost-saving measures that result in the ordering of standard cannabis tests, rather than specialised tests for synthetic drugs such as spice. Synthetic cannabinoids such as spice are proving a significant threat to vulnerable populations. One estimate suggested that upwards of 95% of Manchester’s homeless were believed to be smoking spice in some form in 2017, even though its users are often unaware of its exact composition and strength.

Understanding Hair Growth Rate: How It Affects Drug Detection Accuracy

Published 08/11/2024

When it comes to drug testing methods, hair strand testing (HST) offers a unique advantage in detecting drug use over an extended period. However, it comes with limitations, particularly due to variations in hair growth rates. In this blog, we’ll explore how individual differences in hair growth impact the accuracy of hair drug testing, with insights from our recent webinar.

Understanding the Detection Window for Hair Strand Testing

Published 23/10/2024

During a recent webinar on October 23rd, hosted by Dr. Salah Breidi (Toxicologist & Court Expert Witness) and Simon Dean (Chief Marketing Officer for AttoGroup), experts discussed the growing preference for hair strand testing over traditional blood and urine tests for detecting drug and alcohol use.

What Can We Learn About DNA Testing From the Film “Twins?”

Published 10/10/2024

Is “Twins” the Film Realistic and can real twins be tested for paternity? Dr. Steve Cummings explains all.

A DNA Anecdote on Solving Crimes

Published 04/10/2024

Below, we ask Dr. Steve Cummings, “How real is Silence of the Lambs?” We’re looking at a scene where a forensic entomologist is examining a moth pupa to see if any clues can be found.

How Reliable Are EtG and EtPa as Markers of Alcohol in Legal Cases?

Published 27/09/2024

Two of the most commonly used biomarkers for alcohol consumption in hair are Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) and Ethyl Palmitate (EtPa). These markers offer an extended window for detecting alcohol use, up to 6 months in head hair. However, both markers come with specific vulnerabilities that can lead to false positives or negatives.

Safeguarding Confidentiality in Child Law

Published 26/09/2024

We like to lead by example when it comes to confidentiality for child care proceedings cases and this article will explain our policy when it comes to dealing with the boundaries of confidentiality that abides by EYFS confidentiality and data protection laws.

Contamination Webinar Review: What Did I Learn?

Published 16/09/2024

I recently had the opportunity to participate in the webinar session hosted by Dr Salah on the subject of “Contamination of Toxicology Samples in Child Custody Cases” and wanted to share three key takeaways.

Understanding Alcohol Testing: Beyond the Breathalyser

Published 04/09/2024

At AttoLife, we focus on exploring long-term alcohol consumption. We dive deeper by testing various alcohol biomarkers to provide a more comprehensive picture of an individual’s drinking habits over time. This is especially useful in the family law space, where a parent might need to prove a change in drinking behaviour or abstinence.

The Hidden Dangers of Spice-Laced Vapes

Published 22/08/2024

In recent years, vaping has gained significant popularity among young people, often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking. However, a disturbing trend has emerged, particularly in the UK: vapes laced with a synthetic drug known as "Spice" are finding their way into the hands of teenagers.

Could Contamination in Hair Strand Drug Testing Impact Your Child Custody Case?

Published 21/08/2024

In cases involving hair strand and nail drug testing of children's hair, it's crucial to understand the potential for external exposure and why children are particularly vulnerable to this issue. This is not just a technical matter but one that can significantly impact legal outcomes in family court.

The Critical Role of Hair and Hair Wash Testing in Child Custody Cases

Published 14/08/2024

In child custody cases, the stakes couldn't be higher—especially when there are concerns about a child's environmental exposure to illegal substances. Not only the accuracy, but the methods and reporting employed by the toxicology lab, can have a profound impact on the decisions made by the courts.

Webinar: Contamination of Toxicology Samples in Child Custody Cases

Published 30/07/2024

We will discuss the legal implications of contaminated hair and nail samples and how they might influence a child custody case, potentially escalating the investigation to a criminal matter.

Can Mouthwash or Hand Sanitiser Cause a Positive PEth Test?

Published 11/07/2024

PEth is a superior marker that is used in child custody cases and other legal cases to test participants for excessive alcohol misuse and complete abstinence (teetotalism). However, questions often arise about whether the use of alcohol-containing products, like mouthwash or hand sanitiser, can result in a positive PEth test. Let's explore this topic in detail.

Understanding PEth: A Key Marker for Alcohol Consumption

Published 09/07/2024

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a critical biomarker for detecting alcohol consumption, providing valuable insights into an individual's drinking behaviour. This blog will explore what PEth is, how it is formed, and why it is significant in various settings.

The Evolution of Forensic DNA Testing

Published 24/06/2024

Forensic DNA testing has revolutionised the legal system, transforming the way crimes are solved and justice is served. Since its inception in the mid-1980s, DNA testing has evolved dramatically, becoming a cornerstone of modern forensic science.

Understanding Cocaine Hair and Nails Test Results: Passive Exposure vs. Active Use

Published 19/06/2024

When faced with a positive cocaine hair or nails test result, it’s natural to seek answers and clarification, especially if you believe you haven't used the drug. One common concern is whether passive exposure could be responsible for the presence of cocaine in your system. Let’s delve into how passive exposure might occur and what test results can really tell us.

DNA Testing for Immigration: Beyond the Basics

Published 11/06/2024

In the realm of immigration, establishing undeniable proof of family relationships can be the linchpin in securing a successful outcome. DNA testing has emerged as a pivotal tool in this process, offering highly reliable evidence of biological relationships where documentation is lacking or insufficient.

Comparing Drug Testing Methods: Blood, Nail, and Hair

Published 07/06/2024

In the landscape of legal toxicology, various biological matrices can be tested to detect the presence of drugs and alcohol. Among the most common specimens tested are blood, nails, and hair strand, each offering unique insights into substance misuse. Understanding the timeframes, as well as the pros and cons of each method, is crucial for making informed decisions.

Understanding MOCCAB (6 Panel): A Deep Dive into Commonly Tested Drugs in the UK

Published 07/06/2024

The acronym "MOCCAB", 6 panel, represents a panel of drugs frequently tested in the UK due to their prevalence and potential for abuse. Here’s a closer look at each of these substances, their common forms, legitimate uses, and how they might be abused. This 6 panel is most tested in hair strand drug testing and nail drug testing.

MOCCAB (6 panel) and Legal Proceedings: What Solicitors, Barristers and Social Workers Need to Know

Published 07/06/2024

In the realm of legal proceedings, the ability to accurately determine the presence of drugs in an individual's system is invaluable. The MOCCAB panel (6 panel)—covering Methamphetamines, Opiates, Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamines, and Benzodiazepines—represents a comprehensive range of substances whose detection can significantly influence the outcome of many cases.

Anglia DNA Rebrands to AttoLife

Published 01/06/2024

We are excited to announce that Anglia DNA has rebranded to AttoLife. The company’s management structure remains the same, while the branding update marks an investment in our people, processes, and technology.