Hair Analysis in Forensics
In the UK, forensic experts are increasingly turning to hair analysis to unlock vital clues about individuals involved in crimes. This method reveals unique biomarkers, providing insights that are critical for investigations.
Solving crimes gets tough when DNA or fingerprints don’t match any records at the scene. Without these matches, forensic teams find themselves short on essential evidence. They struggle to identify perpetrators, victims, or any missing individuals linked to the crime. Yet, human hair, commonly discovered at crime scenes, emerges as a crucial piece of evidence. This is because hair contains biochemical information that reflects a person’s lifestyle, habits, and characteristics. By analysing these traces, forensic scientists can piece together vital information that might otherwise remain hidden, making hair analysis an indispensable tool in the complex puzzle of crime-solving
The Study
The study aimed to develop a method to analyse hair for specific metabolites, creating a profile of the person it came from. To discover these markers, researchers used an untargeted metabolomics approach. This method helps select and identify significant metabolites.
They collected 68 hair samples from various hairdressers across different areas.
The researchers then extracted the compounds by soaking the samples in methanol overnight and analysed them using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) Orbitrap Q Exactive Focus.
They then evaluated the data with two free online tools, finding eight compounds that matched in both. Researchers confirmed their identities with reference standards and added them to a list for profiling the hair donor.
Findings
The findings highlighted the potential of untargeted metabolomics in finding lifestyle biomarkers to distinguish individuals. This approach can be vital in UK forensic science, particularly when evidence is limited and investigative leads are unclear, offering a new avenue for solving crimes by revealing unique personal traits through biochemical analysis.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073824000197?mc_cid=058e0c04e6&mc_eid=96c196b96d
