Understanding DNA Testing and Toxicology

for the Legal Sector

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.