Hair analysis as a diagnostic and forensic tool in a social support system for families with underage children and drug abusing parents : four year experience

Abstract EN

Between 2011 and 2014, 388 hair samples from children (age 1-14 years) and 594 hair samples from parents/caregivers were analyzed for methadone, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, cannabinoids and benzodiazepines by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS.

Hair testing was preferentially performed for parents/ caregivers.

Children were included in case of positive parents/caregivers results or in urgent cases after a court decision if the parents/caregivers declined the testing.

A follow-up hair test was performed after 6-months (positive results) or 12-months (negative results).

Results: The children hair appeared to be a sensitive indicator of the handling of drugs in their environment and often showed a similar or the same drug profile as their parents.

The annual statistics for the initial test of children were no drugs 22-33%,