Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court episode artwork

EPISODE · May 26, 2026 · 37 MIN

Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court

from File on 4 Investigates · host BBC Radio 4

Hair Strand Tests can show if parents have been using drink or drugs. Such tests play can a central part in Family Court hearings every year as judges decide whether children should go into care or not. Some barristers have been raising the alarm over the way the tests are presented and interpreted in the Famly Court. And, for the first time, File on 4 Investigates talks to mothers who nearly lost their babies – thanks to hair strand tests.Presenter: Sanchia Berg Senior Producer: Anna Meisel Producer: Mary O'Reilly Technical Producer: Kelly Young Production Co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermottImage: Lead Senior Scientist Dr Ellie Menzies carrying out a hair strand test

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 26, 2026

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