• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Opiates (Codeine, Morphine, and 6-Monoacteyl Morphine)
• Methamphetamine (Meth/Amphetamine and Ecstasy)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
  
  

These five drug classes are mandated for testing by the federal government.

A standard test covers a period of approximately 90 days. The hair sample is cut as close to the scalp as possible, and the most recent 1.5 inches are tested.

The primary differences are:

• Wider Window of Detection

• Inability to Tamper with the Test

Cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, and PCP are rapidly excreted and usually undetectable in urine 72 hours after use. The detection period for hair is limited only by the length of the hair sample and is approximately 90 days for a standard test.

At this time, there are no known adulterants for hair tests. Since hair tests analyze the drugs inside the hairshaft, external contaminants/chemicals have no effect.

Additional advantages include non-intrusive collection procedures and the virtual elimination of test evasion.

The combination of an increased window of detection and resistance to evasion makes hair testing far more effective than urinalysis in correctly identifying drug users.

It takes approximately 4-5 days from the time of drug use for the affected hair to grow above the scalp. Body hair growth rates are generally slower and cannot be utilized to determine a timeframe of drug use.

The minimum time period is approximately two weeks (1/4 inch). Body hair can be used if head hair is too short for a test. If body hair is used, the timeframe represented by the test is approximately one year due to the different growth patterns in hair below the neck.

Hair can be collected from several head locations and combined to obtain the required amount of hair. In addition, body hair may be used as a substitute to head hair. In the rare case where no hair is collectible, complete urine/adulteration testing may be utilized.

Yes, body hair can be used to test for the five standard drug classes, though body hair growth patterns are different than head hair. Most body hair is replaced within approximately one year. This means a test done with body hair will be reported as drug usage during approximately a one-year timeframe.

Yes, but the test will be reported as having an “anonymous” donor. We cannot attribute the sample to any specific person, and we cannot determine the timeframe of the test, so the test result is not legally defensible. The test will only report that the sample submitted had the reported drug metabolite components.

Omega follows the cutoff levels generally accepted industry-wide. These levels are based in part on minimum detection levels for GC/MS confirmation.

Omega provides confirmation utilizing GC/MS for all specimens that screen positive (opiates, PCP, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana).

Enzyme-immunoassay antibodies (EIA), similar to those used to test urine, are used for the initial screening test for drugs of abuse in hair. Therefore, the potential for substances such as over-the-counter medications to cause a false-positive screening result does exist. To eliminate the possibility of reporting a false-positive due to cross-reactivity, Omega confirms all positive results by GC/MS for methamphetamine, opiates, PCP, cocaine, and marijuana.

In side-by-side comparison studies with urinalysis, hair drug testing has uncovered significantly more drug use. In two independent studies, hair drug testing uncovered 4 to 8 times as many drug users as urinalysis.

To rule out the possibility of external contamination, Omega testing (where appropriate) looks for both parent and metabolite (bi-product) of drug usage. For marijuana analyses, Omega detects only the metabolite (THC-COOH). This metabolite is only produced by the body and cannot be an environmental contaminant.

Omega’s internal chain-of-custody is modeled after federal guidelines (SAMHSA) as well as other accredited agencies (CAP).

Test reports are retained for a period of two years or as mandated by law.

The hair not used from the time period being tested (i.e., three months equals 3.9 cm) is stored in the chain-of-custody sample acquisition pouch. Hair is stored for a two-year period.

Omega Laboratories’ forensic experts have qualified as expert witnesses in Ohio, New York, California, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Arizona in over 250 civil, criminal, and superior court trials.

Currently, nicotine, methadone, simple benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants assays and mescaline have been detected in hair. However, many details, such as cutoff levels and dose response relationships, have not yet been established for these compounds. Currently, these assays are in the research and development process.