why is it used?
2006-11-27 06:09:45 · 14 answers · asked by princesspremere 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
It can be linked to a specific person because of the DNA
in it.
2006-11-27 06:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by albert 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When hair is pulled out or naturally falls out (due to normal growth cycle) of the hair folicle, sometimes a skin tag is still attached. This skin tag is what the scientists actually need to create a DNA profile of the subject. The skin tag is removed from the hair shaft and the skin tag is desolved in several solutions until the DNA is seperated. Then a technique is used called gel electrophoresis that uses an electronic field to force molecules through a gel. The gel seperates the DNA fragments according to length. That length of DNA fragments is then carefully identified by a scientist to match the DNA at the crime scene with the DNA of a suspect or victim. The same process is used to establish paternity.
The hair shaft holds no DNA, it is actually dead keratinized (tough, fibrous, waterproof proteins are created and stored in a cell) skin cells. However, drug tests can be performed on the hair shaft because the toxins in some drugs stay in the cells after keratinization.
2006-11-27 14:52:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hair follicles are important in DNA, and also they can tell if that person has used drugs in the past. Hair is quite important in forensics.
2006-11-27 14:24:47 · answer #3 · answered by angel_of_dementia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not so much the hair, but the hair with the root attached. DNA is left on the root samples that sometimes accompany hair when pulled out.
2006-11-27 14:13:06 · answer #4 · answered by Bean counter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to DNA (if the root is present), The hair can be matched as well as clothing fibers to those belonging to victims or missing persons. Hair can also be tested for drug use.
2006-11-27 14:14:04 · answer #5 · answered by Albert 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are a lot of things the hair is used for...one is DNA, you can test it to see if there are traces of certain poisons left in the body before their death, and you can even see what the diet of that person mostly consisted of. there are more things the hair is used for, I'm sure, but I hope this helps you.
2006-11-27 14:27:31 · answer #6 · answered by tweetybird37406 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because your hair has a folicle..and when its pulled out from the root it leaves a skin tag that can be used in DNA evidence..because no two people have the same folicle. Just like fingerprints.
2006-11-27 14:12:30 · answer #7 · answered by Bevin M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't forget that not only can you get DNA from the root...you can find out the lifestyle of a person from the hair itself....diet, long term exposure to toxins, etc.
2006-11-27 14:25:24 · answer #8 · answered by mahree 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Human DNA is found in hair. It is a unique code, individual to each person. So if a scientist can locate DNA, they can then match it to a specific person.
2006-11-27 14:18:16 · answer #9 · answered by lolo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As hair contains DNA that is unique to a person and so it can be used in criminal investigation
2006-11-27 14:14:50 · answer #10 · answered by The Lethal Stuntmaster 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋