Journal Published Online: 01 July 1972
Volume 17, Issue 3

The Variation of Trace Element Concentrations in Single Human Head Hairs

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Hair from the human body is frequently encountered in the examination of crime-scene physical evidence. Study of metallic components by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and application of the results of such studies in forensic work, have been made difficult by the complexity of the hair system and its attendant surface contamination. As was noted in 1967 [1], “virtually everyone working with hair by this method [NAA] uses a different type of sampling, and a different method of cleaning the hair, and nobody yet really knows enough about the basic chemistry, morphology and behaviour of the hair shaft to be able to assess reliably the significance of the results.” The literature [2,3] contains both optimistic and pessimistic prognoses of the possibility of establishing whether or not a hair came from the head of a given individual.

Author Information

Obrusnik, I
Nuclear Research Institute of Czecholovak Academy of Sciences, Rez u Prahy, Czechoslovakia
Gislason, J
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
MeMillan, DK
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
D'Auria, J
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Pate, BD
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Pages: 14
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS10128J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10128J