Eurofins

Forensic Toxicology

Employing the very latest techniques within our dedicated toxicology laboratories,
Eurofins Forensic Services is able to provide analytical services tailored to meet individual requirements. Our scientists carry out the widest range of analytical tests and are recognised as leaders in their field.

Our forensic scientists are fully trained in chain of custody procedures and protocols, and are experienced in utilising highly sensitive equipment for the detection of trace chemicals from a variety of samples.

With clients that include police forces and legal services companies across Europe our service is second to none.

Quantifiable detection of:

Therapeutic drugs

Drugs of abuse

Solvents

Volatile compounds

Alcohol

Cyanide

Carbon Monoxide

pesticides

Steroids and performance enhancing drugs


Post – mortem investigations

When investigating a sudden or suspicious death, it can be invaluable to determine the presence or absence of drugs or other compounds.

Pre-employment Drug Testing

Hair and nail analysis can be a reliable indicator to establish the historical pattern of substance misuse of a potential candidate in addition to conventional oral fluid and urine testing.

Substance Misuse

Conventional biological samples such as blood, urine and oral fluid can be analysed to determine an individuals substance abuse and/or sports doping. With the increased use of hair and nail sample analysis not only can general substance abuse and/or sports doping be determined, but also a historic pattern of abuse and an individuals progress of rehabilitation.

Ante-Mortem Investigations

This is primarily concerned with the analysis of body fluid samples taken from individuals suspected of having ingested a substance either deliberately or accidentally.

Drug Facilitated Crime

Biological samples can be collected and analysed to determine if an individual has been exposed to an illicit substance a single time or multiple times, as well as being used to discriminate false claims.

Alcohol Abuse Monitoring

Characterisation of chronic alcohol abuse can be determined by the analysis of blood and hair samples.

Specialist Sample Analysis –Nails and Hair
Drugs, chemicals, and biological substances when ingested accumulate and are stored in keratinised matrices, such as hair and nails. Our laboratories and scientists are recognised leaders in the field of forensic toxicology, pioneering many of the new testing methodologies.

In particular, specialising in the extraction and quantifiable identification within keratinised matrices of the following chemical substances:

Therapeutic drugs, Drugs of abuse, Cyanide, Steroids and performance enhancing drugs and Pesticides

In recent years drug analysis within keratinised matrices has received considerable attention over traditional drug testing methodologies employing body fluids, such as urine or serum due to several advantages:

highlightNon invasive collection procedure.

highlightLonger window of detection, historic record of up to 12 months can be established.

highlightGreater stability of sample.

highlightConvenient shipping and storage (no need to refrigerate).

highlightMore difficult to adulterate sample.

highlightDemonstrates patterns of exposure

The matrices are initially screened for substances of interest or their by-products. Positive results are then confirmed by GC/LC – MS or GC/LC -MSMS