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Hair Testing

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Noble Diagnostics’ testing process is extremely accurate and uses industry-leading processes, as well as state-of-the-art equipment. Noble Diagnostics holds all major industry-recognized certifications and accreditations for hair drug testing laboratories.

Noble Diagnostics Inc., is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), certified by CLIA, and fully licensed by the State of Ohio and New York State to perform forensic drug testing. Noble Diagnostics’ Hair Chain of Custody protocols exactly follows (as appropriate) those mandated by the Federal Government. From the time of collection, through each step of the analytical process (opening accessioning, screening reliquoting, GC/MS confirmation, and final results interpretation),a complete paper trail is maintains such that each individual coming in contact with the sample must sign the ICOC documents as well as each chemist must initial his/her portion of the work preformed.

Accessioning

The laboratory receives the samples from a contracted courier (Fed-Ex, UPS, etc.). The samples are kept in a secure area accessible only by authorized laboratory personnel until the accessioning process begins. The accessioner opens each sample individually. The accessioner checks the samples to ensure the seal is intact along with proper chain of custody. A unique identifier called the Laboratory Accessioning number (LAN) is then placed on each sample and that sample’s chain of custody. This is the tracking number that identifies the sample throughout the testing procedures at the laboratory. The hair is then weighed out and prepared for the initial testing analysis. After properly documenting the chain of custody, the sample is then transferred within the laboratory and the testing is completed.

Screening

The initial screen is performed on the samples using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) techniques. All QA/QC criteria are checked by the initial testing personnel and a negative certifying scientist. “Negative” results are then reported to the client.

Extractions and GC/MS Confirmation

“Presumptive positive” results are then sent to GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) for confirmation of the initial test. Noble Diagnostics uses the latest in Agilent and Varian Gas Chromatography systems for confirmation testing. All samples are processed with negative and positive controls.

 

When preforming GC/MS confirmations, a second aliquot of hair is removed from the original hair samples and weighed out. After applying various wash procedures, the samples are prepared and extracted using Solid Phase Extraction techniques and then analyzed by GC/MS. All QA/QC criteria are checked by the GC/MS chemist and positive certifying scientist. All results are then reported to the client.

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How a Sample Moves Through the Laboratory

  1. The accessioner opens each sample received on a one for one basis. The accessioner checks the sample to ensure that seal is intact along with proper Chain of Custody. A unique identifier called the Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) is then placed on the sample and the Chain of Custody.

  2. Hair samples are then weighted and transferred to a tube identified by the LAN # on a one for one basis.

  3. After this, the specimens are transferred )with a signed Chain of Custody document) to a screening chemist who performs the screening test batches each with a set of calibrators, negatives and controls for each drug assayed. Each of these controls must be acceptable before the negatives are sent for final evaluation and release; the batches are then verified (again with a signed Chain of Custody document) and removed from the instruments by a second screening chemist.

  4. Any presumptive positive specimen is then placed on a computer list for the accessioning department to go back and remove another completely new portion of the sample from the specimen.

  5. After this, the specimens are transferred (with a signed Chain of Custody document) to a GC/MS chemist.

  6. After extraction, these samples along with calibrators, negatives and controls are then places on the instrument by the GC/MS chemist for analysis (again with a signed Chain of Custody document). After analysis, the samples are again verified (again with a signed Chain of Custody document) when they are removed from the instrument by a second GC/MS chemists.

  7. Each analysis run is extensively critiqued, negatives must be negatives, positives must be positives, the correct ions must be present in the correct ratios and control results must be within ± 20% of the correct (pre-determined) value. These items among a host of others are what must be correct before a specimen can be considered positive. Any deviation from these “rules” will result in a report being considered negative.

The Noble Diagnostics  Five-Panel Hair Test Includes:

  • Collection kits

  • Chain of custody forms

  • GC/MS confirmation

  • Customer Support

  • Noble Diagnostics toll-free number

  • Reports via secure FAX, Web, or Data transfer

  • The fasted turnaround time in the industry (94% + of results are reported day of receipt)

  • CD ROM or online training and certification of collectors

  • Local collections available in your area for an additional charge

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