Blog
MDMA and Ecstasy can increase mental health issues
According to the EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) ecstasy is much stronger than before and is growing in popularity amongst young people. The 2016 report shows evidence of an increased availability of high-dose MDMA tablets and of MDMA in powder and crystal forms... Read More
The difference between home and legal paternity tests
It is important to understand whether your individual circumstances require a home or legal paternity test. A DNA test is able to offer peace of mind, or they can be carried out for legal purposes. The result of a paternity test, whether it is a legal test or for peace of mind, will be exactly... Read More
EtG, FAEE, PEth: Direct markers of alcohol consumption
There are both direct and indirect markers used to establish alcohol consumption, however indirect markers are less accurate as they can be affected by other factors, such as medication, health issues, and previous alcohol consumption. Direct markers are only produced when a person has consumed... Read More
How Testing Blood for Alcohol Abuse Works
Blood testing has been used to highlight potential alcohol abuse for decades and is therefore an established and relied upon method. There are a number of important considerations when selecting blood testing and different routes you can choose. The first step is to understand the difference... Read More
Drug Testing in the Workplace: Effective Programmes
Drug misuse in the workplace can cause serious problems for the user, the company they work for, and even their co-workers. The possession of certain drugs is illegal, and if an employer is knowingly allowing drug-related activities in the workplace while failing to act, they could also be... Read More
Drug Driving: The law, consequences and effects
New drug driving legislation came into place on 2nd March 2015 in England and Wales, making it easier for the police to catch and convict drug drivers. This new legislation provides an effective way of delivering consequences to those that drive while under the influence of drugs. It is now... Read More
The Dangers of Drug Abuse and Addiction
The misuse of illicit drugs can cause varying risks to your health, both psychologically and physically on a short and long term basis. The long-term dangers include: Addiction Depression Liver failure and kidney damage Unpredictable behaviour, which can: Lead to injuries and... Read More
UK Government ban on legal highs: What you need to know
What is it? The Psychoactive Substances Act was due to come into effect on 6th April 2016, but this has since been delayed to at least May. The act aims to ban any substance that is capable of producing a psychoactive effect, there are, however, a list of exemptions of everyday substances, such... Read More
What is the Influence of War on the Global Drug Market?
Since the start of the century society has experienced a clear relationship between the amount, type and use of illegal drugs and the many wars across the world. One such example of the effect was the global shortage in heroin peaking during the Afghanistan war in 2005. Whist it may appear... Read More
Interview: Kate Francis, Head of Collections
Kate Francis has been a member of the DNA Legal team for nearly six years, accumulating expert knowledge of all testing procedures and regulations. She oversees our collection network, spanning 4,000 sites in over 200 countries. Her thorough approach ensures that our sample collectors... Read More
Interview: Michelle Underwood, Head of Compliance
Michelle Underwood oversees all DNA Legal operations, ensuring procedures are followed and we maintain the highest levels of result accuracy. She has a strong background in forensics, and here she explains her pivotal role in more detail. What's your background, and how did you come to... Read More
DNA Complexity by Region – Introducing PoBI
For over 10 years, a team of scientific researchers from the University of Oxford have been studying the genetic makeup of more than 4,500 volunteers. It’s all part of the ambitious People of the British Isles (PoBI) project, and the results could help shape the future health of the nation. Who... Read More