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Legal Alcohol Testing

  • Chronic, excessive and history of alcohol consumption can be determined
  • Rapid results
  • Award-winning, accredited laboratory
  • Hair, breath, blood and nail samples tested
  • Continuous alcohol monitoring also available
  • Price guarantee
  • Expert witness service available
  • Our Price Match Promise means we will not be beaten on price

I use AlphaBiolabs every time for my client’s legal alcohol testing. That way I know my results are correct

David Brown, Family Law Solicitor

Legal alcohol testing services

AlphaBiolabs offers the most comprehensive legal alcohol testing on the market today. In addition, our Price Match Promise ensures we are the most competitively priced.

Our alcohol testing methods include:

  • 3- or 6-month head hair testing (FAEE & EtG)
  • Body hair (EtG)
  • Instant breath analysis
  • Liver function test (LFT)
  • Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) analysis
  • Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test
  • Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) test
  • Nail alcohol testing (EtG)
  • SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring®

We also offer a Comprehensive Alcohol Analysis Package, which combines head hair testing with blood tests (CDT, LFT and MCV) and includes a Statement of Witness report and sample collection. PEth testing can also be added for an additional fee. This comprehensive package provides the best insight into an individual’s level of alcohol consumption.

Legal alcohol testing for legal professionals, local authorities and members of the public

Accredited legal alcohol testing

AlphaBiolabs has worked with solicitors and local authorities for 15 years.

We go to great lengths to ensure that our alcohol testing processes are the best available, which is why you can be sure if you take a legal alcohol test with AlphaBiolabs you will get the fastest, most accurate testing available.

Our testing laboratory is accredited by UKAS (No. 2773), to the quality technical standard of ISO 17025, and we are also certified to ISO 9001.

Our alcohol testing options include:

Head hair alcohol testing

Alcohol abuse can be detected in hair by testing for two different alcohol metabolites called ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE). Both of these alcohol markers are incorporated into the hair via different routes: EtG via sweat and FAEEs via sebum. By performing both tests the evidence is strengthened to determine whether alcohol has been chronically abused.

According to the Society of Hair Testers, the minimum length of hair required for an EtG and FAEE analysis is 3cm from nearest the scalp (proximal).

Unlike drug testing where the metabolites are absorbed through the root of the hair, when a client consumes alcohol the entire length of the hair is contaminated. Therefore, it is not possible to segment the hair. For example, if your client had not drunk for 5 months and then in 1 month drinks an excessive amount of alcohol, the alcohol markers will be found throughout the entire length of the hair.

Biomarker testing in hair can establish a person’s history of alcohol consumption for 3 or 6 months.

 We provide the fastest, most cost-effective legal alcohol testing

Body hair alcohol testing

Some types of body hair can also be analysed for alcohol if there is insufficient head hair.

Hair samples collected from the chest, arm, leg and beard can be analysed for ethyl glucuronide (EtG).

The window of detection for body hair alcohol testing is more approximate due to the nature of the hair growth (up to a 12-month overview).

Breath alcohol testing

AlphaBiolabs can provide a number of devices for breath alcohol testing dependent on your individual needs.

When a person is tested for alcohol use they need to blow into a breath alcohol device, and the results are given as a digital readout. The readout, known as the breath alcohol concentration (BAC), shows the level of alcohol in the breath at the time the test was taken. It does not measure historical use of alcohol.

Price Match Promise: We will match any like-for-like quote and beat it by 5%

Liver function test (LFT)

Alcohol in sufficient quantities can be toxic to the liver. An individual who chronically abuses alcohol may experience cirrhosis of the liver leading to reduced function.

A liver function test will test for liver enzymes in the blood, which strongly indicate damage to the liver.

Our liver function tests include five markers: total bilirubin, aspartarte aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT).

Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) analysis

A carbohydrate deficient transferrin test is widely used as a measure of chronic moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption. A simple blood sample will provide information to determine whether alcohol has been chronically abused in the preceding 4 weeks. In cases of chronic alcohol abuse, the CDT value will become elevated to a value outside of the normal range.

Paired with increased LFT values, and elevated EtG and FAEE results, the evidence will provide conclusive support for chronic alcohol abuse, or indeed abstinence if the results are within the normal range.

Chronic, excessive and history of alcohol consumption can be determined

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test

The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test measures red blood cells. An MCV marker higher than normal would indicate an enlarged blood cell, which could indicate ingested alcohol. Elevated MCV is common in alcoholics. This change results directly from the effect of alcohol on red blood cell development and persists as long as drinking continues.

MCV is not a liver enzyme and is influenced by different factors to LFT and CDT. As a stand-alone alcohol abuse indicator MCV has somewhat low sensitivity. However, when combined with the other blood markers it becomes a good indicator for excessive drinking.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) test

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct marker of alcohol, which means that it can only be detected when alcohol has been consumed. This means it is the most accurate of the blood tests to determine alcohol abuse.

PEth testing can detect chronic and single-drinking episodes. It can also be used to monitor drinking behaviour, abstinence and identify relapse. PEth analysis can also verify whether an individual has changed their pattern of alcohol consumption.

Fast, accurate results from our accredited laboratory

Nail alcohol testing

Like hair, nails are made from keratin, which is a fibrous protein. As the nail grows, substances can pass from the blood vessels below the nail into the keratin fibres where they become trapped. Biomarkers from alcohol can thus be detected in the nails.

Our nail alcohol testing analyses samples for the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) marker. These EtG biomarkers become trapped within the keratin fibres along the length of the nail providing a detection period of up to 6 months.

SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring®

SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring® (SCRAM CAM®) is an innovative way of testing a participant’s alcohol consumption over a defined period of time. The tamper-proof SCRAM CAM® bracelet is worn on the ankle from 1 day up to as many months as needed. Because of its transdermal method of detection (through the skin) every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, the non-invasive bracelet provides a comprehensive profile of a participant’s drinking activities.

Request more info about SCRAM® here.

High Quality
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I am very impressed with the exceptionally high quality, service and speed. I will be using your company in all future referrals. 

Helen Sangster
Family Solicitor, Yaffe Jackson Ostrin Solicitors

Very impressed
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Very impressed with the speed of the report turnaround. This is key in childcare cases that we deal with.

Amy Bellingham
Family Law Soilicitor, Elliot Bridgman Solicitors

Excellent service
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Excellent service and all round very user friendly.

Colm McLaughlin
Solicitor, Canter Levin and Berg Solicitors

Excellent turnaround
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Excellent turnaround times, arrived very quickly with the results.

Christopher Miles
Solicitor, Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors