Hair toxicology is fast emerging as one of the most reliable forensic testing procedures in America. Whether it is court-admissible drug testing, private toxicology screening, or post-mortem analysis, hair analysis provides a lengthy detection period and reliability that blood and urine tests can never hope to achieve.
At The Carlson Company, our forensic laboratory certified to the highest standards offers detailed hair testing capabilities to assist attorneys, private citizens, medical examiners, and employers in revealing the truth with scientifically accepted findings.
What Is Hair Toxicology?
Hair toxicology (also referred to as hair drug testing or segmental hair analysis) is a method of finding drugs, toxins, or other chemical exposures through the analysis of small hair samples. Drugs and toxins travel into the bloodstream and are stored in hair follicles, where they can stay for months-even years.
Why Hair Testing Is Becoming Popular in the USA
As opposed to blood or urine, which will only reveal recent use, hair testing can measure substance exposure for a maximum of 90 days or more.
Here’s why U.S. clients increasingly choose hair toxicology:
- Long Detection Window – Ideal for court cases and long-term monitoring.
- Harder to Tamper – Hair samples are virtually impossible to adulterate.
- Segmental Analysis – Identifies when a substance was consumed by examining hair growth patterns over time.
- Mass Testing Capability – Identifies drugs, toxins, heavy metals, and environmental toxins.
Applications of Hair Toxicology in the USA
- Court-Admissible Testing: Family law, child custody cases, criminal defense, and probation supervision often depend on hair analysis for objective evidence.
- Workplace & Pre-Employment Drug Screening: Employers are drawn to hair testing for its reliability and tamper-resistance.
- Post-Mortem Toxicology: Hair may uncover long-term exposure to substances in deceased persons where blood or urine samples are no longer available.
- Private or Personal Testing: Parents worried about their children or individuals that want peace of mind can have confidential private testing ordered directly from our laboratory.
The Carlson Company Advantage
When accuracy is important, selecting the correct laboratory is essential.
The Carlson Company provides:
- Chain of Custody Documentation for court-acceptable results
- State-of-the-Art LC-MS and GC-MS technology
- Rapid Turnaround Times with secure reporting
- Nationwide Service – Send samples from anywhere in the USA
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How much hair is needed for a test?
Generally, a sample around the thickness of a pencil (90-120 strands) cut near the scalp is adequate.
Q2. How long after use can drugs be found in hair?
Drugs typically show up in hair 7-10 days after use, when the hair has grown out of the scalp.
Q3. What is the turnaround time?
The majority of tests are finished in 3-5 business days after receiving the sample in our lab.
Q4. Is body hair acceptable if head hair cannot be obtained?
Body hair can show a comparable detection window, although precise timeframes might differ.
Q5. Is Hair Analysis More Reliable than Urine or Blood?
Yes. Hair gives a longer window of detection and is less susceptible to acute fluctuations, making it well-suited for legal and forensic purposes.
Q6. What Can Be Identified?
Our laboratory analyzes a broad spectrum of drugs, toxins, heavy metals, and unknown toxins with GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) for accurate analysis.
Whether you require a court-admissible hair drug test, a confidential toxicology test, or post-mortem testing, The Carlson Company stands ready to assist.
Our forensic professionals deliver precise, confidential, and defensible results that you can rely on.
Contact us today at [+1 866-889-3410] or order a test online to arrange your hair toxicology test.
