Why PEth blood and hair alcohol testing go hand in hand
By Ellie Rees, Marketing Communications Manager
Understanding detection periods for alcohol testing
Every family law case has its own complexities and nuances, which means each case will have different testing requirements. When it comes to alcohol testing, you will need to assess how far back you need the analysis to go and then make a decision on whether hair strand testing, blood alcohol testing, nail testing or an ongoing alcohol monitoring bracelet will best suit your client and the case.
Hair strand testing can provide a retrospective analysis for as far back as the hair allows as each cm of hair equates to a month of analysis. Blood alcohol testing, particularly PEth testing, provides a more recent picture of excessive chronic alcohol consumption, usually up to four weeks prior to collection. These two types of tests work well together as not only can analysis paint a picture of long term use but also provide evidence as to more recent consumption. Both of these instances can play an important role in the outcome of a case so it’s vital to collect reliable analysis.
PEth blood testing
PEth is a direct biomarker found in red blood cell membranes and only formed after the consumption of alcohol, making it highly reliable in providing information regarding a donor’s recent usage.
At Lextox, we offer two forms of collection for PEth: venous and our brand new service, dried blood spot. The latter has been introduced to reduce refusal rates from needle-phobic donors as only a small pin prick to the finger is required for collection. This enhancement to our offering is simpler and quicker than venous collection, which means there is no requirement for a phlebotomist, thus increasing collector availability. Streamlining the service not only benefits the donor but also means you have more time to focus on other aspects of the case.
Regardless of how the sample is collected, it is sent to a UK laboratory for expert analysis which is accepted in courts across the country.
Hair alcohol testing
Lextox’s hair analysis for alcohol detects two types of markers; ethyl palmitate (EtPa) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG), which are ‘by-products’ created by the body in the presence of alcohol. Each cm of hair provides alcohol analysis for one month, so we can test for as many months as the hair allows.
Sample collection involves cutting two small section of hair as close to the scalp as possible, with our trained collectors ensuring as little cosmetic impact as possible, before being sent for analysis at our ISO 17025 UKAS Accredited Testing Laboratory (No. 7516).
A comprehensive overview
Any form of alcohol testing can be used to form part of a body of evidence for a family law case and must always be used in conjunction with other forms of evidence, such as clinical assessments and the donor’s historic use.
However, instructing both hair alcohol and PEth blood testing means your case will have a more accurate picture of a donor’s usage. Hair analysis will provide an overview of consumption going back months, highlighting any trends, spikes or troughs whereas PEth testing gives a clear view of recent use. And with the addition of dried blood spot testing to our services, collection is easier and quicker than ever. Both hair and PEth tests entirely complement each other to ensure your case has robust evidence that stands up in court.
If you have any questions on Lextox’s PEth or hair alcohol testing services, get in touch here.
Published 25/11/2024. All information correct at time of publication.