Challenging Hair Testing in Court is a free CPD training course hosted by an Expert Witness in the field, taking place on Tuesday 12th of March 2024 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. The sign-up form is at the bottom of this page.

Who is this seminar for?

This seminar is aimed at Family Lawyers, Family Barristers, Criminal Lawyers, Criminal Barristers, and Children Law Practitioners who provide advocacy in court cases where forensic hair testing is used and need to understand the facts to support challenging evidence around hair testing.

What does this seminar cover?

This seminar examines whether drug testing methods are failing to provide fit-for-purpose evidence. Forensic Testing Service Technical Director Paul Hunter will be answering the following questions:

Is the colour of a client’s hair a factor in the results provided? Is it possible that a parent with black hair is more likely to have their child removed on the basis of a drug screen than a parent with blonde or ginger hair?

Can hair care affect the outcome of a test? Is it acceptable that a parent who frequently washes, conditions and brushes their hair, is less likely to present with a positive result compared to those who choose to only wash hair infrequently?

How is it possible that up to 60% of results for regular cannabis present a negative test result?

We estimate that around 20% of hair samples tested from those not using cocaine produce ‘Positive’ test results. How can this be examined in an individual case?

All of the above are real issues in the drug testing industry today. How can you ensure that the evidence presented is fit for purpose and meets the required ‘Burden of Proof’ for family proceedings?

When challenging a result in court, what information do you need to uncover misleading factors?

All attendees at this CPD event are encouraged to ask questions about challenging cases they have had and raise questions on related topics. Paul Hunter will cover the questions raised throughout the seminar when they come up.

About The Speaker

Paul Hunter BSc Hons. Biology and Biochemistry
Technical Director - Forensic Testing Service LTD since 2010.

An accomplished expert witness in the field of drug and alcohol testing, with over 20 years of experience developing and running specialist substance-misuse analytical laboratories.

Paul Hunter has been an innovator in the development of best practice since 1999 and subsequently driving improvement in the family court through the provision of forensic investigations of hair and nail samples since 2007.

Providing services including testing and expert reporting for Courts, Local Authorities, private and public substance misuse treatment providers, Probation Services, Crime Reduction Partnerships, and the Police.

Paul Hunter has produced over 3000 expert reports for childcare cases (family and criminal proceedings) and has over 100 Court appearances under his belt as an Expert Witness in Care Proceedings.

Author of publication on best practice for investigations and testing in care proceedings, presented at The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists conference in 2019.

Member - Society of Hair Testing (SOHT) and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT).

Please be advised the last day for registration is 11/03/2024 and invites to this virtual seminar will be sent via email on 12/03/2024.

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