Posts by hcoker@dna-worldwide.co.uk
Job Sectors and their Workplace Drug & Alcohol Testing: Procedures and Policies
In the UK, the extent of drug & alcohol abuse in the workplace is not often discussed yet over one million people per year are estimated to be abusing drugs & alcohol whilst at work. However, most workplace testing policies only apply to industries where safety is of the utmost... Read More
Why alcohol markers EtG and FAEE (EtPa) cannot be segmented in hair
Introduction: Hair is used as a robust sample for drug and alcohol testing. Due to the way it grows and the way drugs and alcohol are absorbed into the hair, it can provide a wide range of information about the drug and alcohol consumption history of an individual. Unlike drug testing in head... Read More
What is a cut-off level and how do DNA Legal use them in their expert reports
What is a cut-off level? Cut off levels are useful tools for the understanding of drug results. This is because the cut off levels can minimise the chances of false positive results. False positive results can occur from external contamination due to environmental exposure, such as... Read More
Is it legal to refuse a paternity test?
TL;DR - In the UK, it is legal to refuse a paternity test, but refusal typically results in the man being legally declared the father and responsible for child maintenance. Courts cannot force DNA testing, but the Child Maintenance Services will cover testing costs if financial hardship is... Read More
A Guide on Pre-Employment Drug Testing
TL;DR - Pre-employment drug testing allows UK employers to screen candidates through saliva, urine, or hair samples before hiring. While legal and common in high-risk industries like transport and finance, testing requires employee consent and must respect privacy rights under GDPR.... Read More