AttoLife is the new name of Anglia DNA. Read more here.
- Drug and Alcohol
Court approved hair, nail, blood drug and alcohol testing - Maternity and Paternity
Ministry of Justice approved legal DNA testing - Wider Relationships
Understanding second and third degree familial connections - Immigration
Home Office approved testing for visas and passports - Expert Services
Court standard expert witness reporting
Nail Drug Testing
AttoLife specialises in detecting a wide range of substances, including Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, Benzodiazepines, and Cannabis, through precise nail testing. While hair tests are often seen as the gold standard, nail testing provides a valuable alternative, especially when hair samples are not available or sufficient.
- UKAS accredited laboratory
- Reliable method for toxicology
01
View Long-Term Usage
Nail testing offers a substantial history of drug intake. The detection window can extend up to 6 months for finger nails and 12 months for toenails.
02
Non-Invasive
Nail clippings are collected in a simple, non-invasive procedure.
03
Evidentially Sound
Similar to hair tests, nail samples are taken directly by a professional, ensuring a full chain of custody.
Why Nail Testing?
While nail drug testing might not be the first choice like hair testing, it is a trusted method in situations where hair samples are not available. It's valued for its practicality, ability to provide a usage history, resistance to tampering and reduction of cosmetic impact. The process is minimally invasive, and the results are widely accepted in professional and legal contexts.
A limitation of nail testing compared with hair testing is the lack of ability to explore a usage pattern over time. Rather, fingernails can show usage as far back as 6 months, whereas toenails can offer a 12 month detection window. Despite this limitation, nail drug testing is superior to urine and blood when it comes to exploring historical usage.
How Nail Testing Works
Step 1
Collect Samples
The process begins with the collection of nail clippings, from either fingernails or toenails. Nails are composed of keratin, the same protein that makes up hair, and can incorporate drugs and their metabolites from the bloodstream.
Step 2
Explore Usage Time Frame
Similar to hair, nails grow at a steady rate and incorporate drugs and their metabolites from the bloodstream. However, factors such as personal grooming habits and rate of individual nail growth can influence the detection window available. Fingernails can typically be used to explore a 6 month time frame, whereas toenails can show up to 12 months.
Step 3
Conduct Analysis
Once the nail sample is collected, it's prepared for analysis. Drugs and their associated metabolites are extracted and analysed using specialised instrumentation.Different drugs give unique signatures, allowing for precise identification of which substances were used.
Step 4
Deliver Results
Nail drug testing results are widely accepted in professional and legal contexts, making them an indispensable tool for solicitors and local authorities. For us, the process is complete when we have written an expert witness statement, presenting a full interpretative breakdown of the results and the timeframe for which they are valid.
Is Nail Toxicology Right for You?
Strengths of Nail Drug Testing
Strong alternative option when hair samples are not available
Evidentially sound as the nail clippings are collected by a professional
Non-invasive and does not require specialised collection environments
Limitations of Nail Drug Testing
Requires the subject to have adequate material (nail length)
Results can be impacted by personal grooming habits (e.g. nail polish)
Less extensive research compared to hair testing, potentially limiting results interpretation
