Forensic Science SA (FSSA) carries out a number of drug tests, including hair drug testing.
Drug hair testing
Hair testing provides a longer timeframe for detection of drugs after use than either blood or urine as drugs will remain relatively stable in hair for many months or even years.
The detection period depends on the length of hair available for testing. Head hair is the preferred sample however if this is not available, then auxiliary hair (e.g. pubic, beard or underarm) can be analysed.
We conduct hair testing for:
- Health professionals
- Police officers
- Accredited workplace drug testing agencies.
These groups can request a collection kit by emailing FSSA@sa.gov.au.
A commonly used segment length of head hair is the first 3cm portion proximal to the scalp which represents hair growth over an approximate 3-month period as head hair grows an average of 1cm per month. Hair can be analysed in segments of 1cm to 3cm lengths.
The cost for the analysis is $840.00 + GST (total $924) for each segment (e.g. if you are only interested in drug use in a three month period then one segment 3 cm in length would be analysed at a cost of $840.00 + GST (which includes a non-refundable $80 administration fee).
However, if you wanted to approximate in which month of a three monthly period the drugs were used then this would require three individual monthly segments to be analysed with a total of $2520.00 + GST (total $2772.00).
Payment is required prior to any analysis of the hair.
The cost includes a report but not an interpretative report or court appearance time. Multiple segments of up to 3cm each can be analysed. You can pay by:
- cash
- cheque (to Forensic Science SA)
- credit card - call Forensic Science SA on 08 8226 7700 or use the bpoint payment system.
Follow these prompts if using bpoint:
- Biller Code: Forensic Services
- Full Name: person paying for the testing
- Contact number/email: if FSSA needs to contact you
- Customer reference: subject’s name – e.g. the donor
- Amount (AUD): depending on the amount of segments
Use the collection kit we provide and follow the hair sampling procedure.
Hair Sampling Procedure (PDF, 388.8 KB)
- Complete the Request for Hair Drug Analysis form (PDF, 201.2 KB)
- Email the form to FSSA@sa.gov.au
- Post the sealed sample to us
The results should always be interpreted by one of our experts.
Drug | Limit of reporting*(ng/mg) |
|---|---|
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9- THC) | 0.05 |
Amphetamine | 0.2 |
Methylamphetamine | 0.2 |
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) | 0.2 |
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) | 0.2 |
Cocaine | 0.5 |
Benzoylecgonine (metabolite of cocaine) | 0.05 |
Codeine | 0.2 |
Morphine | 0.2 |
6-Monoacetylmorphine (metabolite of heroin) | 0.2 |
Fentanyl | 0.02 |
Methadone | 0.2 |
Oxycodone | 0.02 |
Pethidine | 0.02 |
Ketamine | 0.02 |
Zolpidem | 0.02 |
Alprazolam | 0.05 |
Diazepam | 0.05 |
Nordiazepam | 0.05 |
Lorazepam | 0.05 |
Midazolam | 0.05 |
Oxazepam | 0.05 |
Temazepam | 0.05 |
7-Aminoclonazepam (metabolite of clonazepam) | Reported as present only |
7-Aminoflunitrazepam (metabolite of flunitrazepam) | Reported as present only |
7-Aminonitrazepam (metabolite of nitrazepam) | Reported as present only |
*Concentrations lower than the limit of reporting will be reported as ‘not detected’
Note that the screening of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is performed using a separate procedure and therefore requires the collection of sufficient hair (see Request for Hair Drug Analysis Form (PDF, 201.2 KB) for details).
Contact Forensic Science SA
In person: 21 Divett Place, Adelaide SA 5000, Kaurna Country
9am - 5pm (out-of-hours deliveries must be pre-booked)
Mail: GPO Box 2790, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: 08 8226 7700
Email: FSSA@sa.gov.au