Real-World Challenges in Drug, Alcohol, and DNA Testing for Family Law

Navigating the Grey Areas in Family Court Testing

DNA, drug, and alcohol test results can be pivotal in family court—but they’re not always clear-cut. What happens when a hair test doesn't align with lived experience? When a nail sample shows unexpected results? Or when a DNA relationship test comes back inconclusive?

In this unique case-based session, Elaine Jewell-Moore, Practice Team Leader of the Family Practice Group at St John’s Chambers, will walk us through real examples where toxicology or DNA testing created ambiguity, conflict, or delay in care proceedings.

From disputes over sample collection and contamination risks, to uncertainty around test timeframes and result interpretation, this session will surface the real-world legal challenges that arise when test results don’t tell the whole story.

Alongside Elaine’s insights, the AttoLife team will offer expert commentary—exploring whether a more suitable testing matrix (e.g. blood vs. hair), better timing, or additional confirmatory analysis might have changed the outcome. We’ll also look at how evolving testing standards and emerging markers could strengthen future court submissions.