Sample Collection - Hair

The collection of a hair sample for an analysis of drugs of abuse, medical drugs or the alcohol marker ethylglucuronide is not a medical intervention. Hence it must not be carried out by medical staff. However, it should be performed by qualified trained persons according to recognized guidelines, for instance EA (European Co-operation for Accreditation) and the WDT-guidelines to avoid pre-analytical errors.

Two strands of hair from the back of the head about the width of a thin pencil are twisted and fastened with a string.
The hair is to be cut just above the skin, as close to the scalp as possible with clean pair of scissors. Record the length of the remaining segment of the head on the request form.
Put the hair strands on the aluminium foil provided with root end 1 cm beyond slanted end of the foil.
Fold the aluminium foil once.
Insert the aluminium foil into the envelope provided. Seal the envelope.
Fill in the donor´s particulars and the required analysis. Ask the donor to sign the envelope.
The packed hair shall be sent to the laboratory Krone (LabToxx) in an envelope by post or by the laboratory´s courier.

Hair should not be fixed with adhesive tape but arranged loosely and wrapped in the aluminium foil. Besides information regarding hair cosmetics (colouring, bleaching, hair spray etc) and consumed substances, the length of hair segment to be tested should be provided. Assuming a hair growth of 1 cm per month (head hair) the length of hair to be analyzed corresponds to the time during which consumption or abstinence should be demonstrated. So 6 cm of hair corresponds to approximately to 6 months. Alternative to head hair, body hair can be used.

Instructions for collection of hair samples — Click to download

Further information on relevant topics

Urine

To prevent adulteration, collection of a forensic urine sample should occur under supervision. We recommend the collection in a urine cup from which a few mL are transferred into a urine Monovette®

Saliva

The collection of a saliva sample for an analysis of drugs of abuse or medical drugs is not a medical intervention. Hence it must not be carried out by medical staff. However, it should be performed by qualified trained persons according to recognized guidelines to avoid pre-analytical errors.

Blood/Serum

For a test of alcohol, of the alcohol marker ethylglucuronide, of CDT or the liver values (AST, ALT, GGT) the blood sample should be taken by medical staff.

Dried Blood Samples

Chromatographic drug analyses (LC-MS/MS) in capillary blood and DBS (dried blood samples) respectively are of increasing importance. Using dried blood samples can be unequivocally assigned to patients and the number of detectable substances is generally larger than in urine.

Meconium

Please send meconium samples immediately after collection to the lab. Drugs are stable in frozen samples (-15 °C) for up to nine months.

Storage

If transport to our laboratory is delayed, depending on sample material, certain aspects have to be noted.

Transport

Besides postage a shipment of samples by courier is possible within most parts of Germany.