Will My Hair Texture Alter a 12 Panel Hair Test?
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Hello,
I need a 12 panel hair test for a custody case. My husband is accusing me of abusing tramadol and I’m afraid this test might have racial bias. I had a back injury at work a year and a half ago and my doctor prescribed tramadol to help with pain. My husband is trying to use the 12 panel hair test to take my daughters from me.
According to my doctor I was suppose to stop using tramadol about 6 months ago. I understand that this hair test goes back 90 days. However I am an African American woman with thick natural hair. Will the results go back further because of my hair texture? I understand that tramadol is commonly abused because of how addictive it is. I only used it for about a month after I was told to stop. Please let me know if this is going to be racially bias so that I am not going into court blind.
Samantha Goodwin, Bakersfield, CA
Hi Samantha,
I certainly understand your concern in taking this 12 panel hair test. The idea that hair with thicker texture would hold on to a substance longer is a logical argument but this is still a 90 day test. 
This potential racial bias has been brought up in court cases for nearly two decades.
Race though a strong sociological and psychological force, it usually has little to do with biological processes. Scientist have tested this idea in many different studies. Most of these studies have concluded that there is no significant difference in hair drug testing from one ethic group to another. Most claims that conclude otherwise have very weak evidence/support. If you haven’t used tramadol in six month then a 90 day hair test should result in a negative. However, everyone’s body metabolizes drugs differently independent of their ethic group. If you would like to know for certain please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss your particular situation in more detail.