Hair analysis is important in Forensic science. Forensic expert uses hair samples to know the presence of drugs in the body of the victim, also cases such as metal or lead poisoning. Paternity can also be detected using hair analysis and it is also a very useful sample to know the DNA pattern of the person to which the hair was taken. Hair analysis can be successfully achieved using some chemicals and viewed under forensic microscopes.
Hair grows from the scalp and falls out for about a few months, average hair grows about half an inch each month. If a person takes drugs a few months ago, it can be detected by hair analysis, however if the person took drugs a few days ago, hair analysis will be of no use. The best option to be taken if this is the case would be blood analysis.
Some of the reasons why hair analysis is being done because it provides DNA pattern and evidence that is very useful to catch criminals and also this can help solve paternity cases.
For this kind of test, it is advised that hair samples submitted for testing must have the root of the hair so that it would be analyzed carefully under forensic microscopes. Hair analysis is also done to find out the presence of poison in the victim’s body such as lead, mercury and other deadly chemicals.
Some tips are also mentioned when preparing hair samples for analysis. First thing to do is to ask for instructions from the laboratory who will conduct the test for hair analysis. The hair that should be submitted to laboratory must e chemical free, it should be washed, dried and submitted to the laboratory.
A consent form must also be signed before conducting the test, so that the person will be aware of the risk and possibilities after the test.
How It Is Done
Hair analysis is done by collecting a hair sample and sending it to a laboratory:
Hair samples are taken from a specific part of the body, such as from the back of the scalp by the neck or from the pubic area. Hair samples are generally collected from the section of the hair closest to the skin. Hair close to the skin or scalp includes the most recent growth, which provides the most accurate information about what has occurred recently in the body.
Hair samples are washed in special chemicals before testing.
Hair analysis is conducted with the use of forensic microscopes. The hair samples that need to be acquired must come from a part of the body that is very close to the skin, so that all the changes that occurred in the body must be accurate. There are certain chemicals that needs to be washed on the hair samples before hair analysis, however this should be handled by the forensic expert before the hair sample is viewed under forensic microscopes.