Testing Procedures

Quick & Easy

Hair Collection

• Fill out the entire toxicology request form. The donor’s name and social security number (or other unique identifier) must be included on the form.
• Verify the donor’s identity with a picture ID and record this information on the form.
• Record the date and time of sample collection on the envelope and test request form.
• If using body hair, note on the Toxicology Request Form in the "collector’s comments" that body hair was collected. Please be specific about the site from which the hair was taken.
• In front of the donor, the collector should clean scissors with alcohol wipe prior to cutting hair.
• In order to be fair to the donor, we must have enough hair to repeat assays if necessary. If the hair is over 1 1/2 inches long, then we require approximately 120 hairs. If placed side by side this quantity of hairs would equal about 1/2" on a ruler. If the hair is shorter than 1-1/2 inches in length, more hair is required (1-inch length requires 240 hairs; 1/2 inch length requires 360 hairs). The reason for this that although the laboratory describes the sample quantity in terms of numbers of hairs required, the actual test requirements are for 120 mg of hair by weight. However, since hair weight varies among individuals, and collectors do not typically have access to sensitive scales, it is easier to visualize in number of hairs.
• Collectors should take a moment to observe the donor's hair. Hair extensions, false dreads, wigs and hairpieces have fooled many collectors. An accurate test is dependent on having hair from the donor in question.
• It is critical that the root ends of the cut hairs are together and placed in the envelope consistent with the collection instructions. The laboratory will cut and use about 1-1/2 inches from the root end. If the donor has no head hair, the collector may use underarm, chest or body hair. Please note the location in the "Collections Comments" section of the Test Request Form. This will aid in more accurate interpretation of the results. If underarm, chest or body hair is collected, make sure to collect as much hair as possible. This hair is usually lighter in weight and therefore more hair is needed for testing.
• Cut the donor’s hair as close to the scalp as possible. Cut hair from the back crown area of the head. Collecting from several different areas is the easiest and least intrusive manner of collecting the hair.
• Place the hair in the foil wrap, with the root end extending out ¼ inch from the slanted end of the foil. Fold foil lengthwise and place inside envelope with root end to the left.
• Seal the envelope with the red security seal and initial the seal. Place a bar code sticker from the toxicology request form on the envelope. The donor should read and initial the appropriate areas on the envelope, then enter the date, and print and sign his/her name on the test request from. The collector does the same. This initiates the chain of custody.
• In the presence of the donor, place the white copy of the test request from in the outer pocket of the security bag, seal the pocket, place the sealed envelope into the main section of the plastic security bag, seal and initial the bag. The yellow copy of the toxicology request from may be kept by the donor, sent to the employer, or as appropriate, kept by the collector.
• The issues of sample tampering, adulteration and switching are not an issue for the collector since he/she is cutting the hair directly from the donor. The donor and the sample are never out of the view of the collector.