1 Hair analysis
2 The scientific principle of hair analysis
Method of hair analysis
Uses of hair analysis
4.1 Examination of metals, drugs and toxins
4.2 DNA examination in forensic medicine
4.3 Healthy body assessment and diagnosis of diseases
5 References
Hair analysis
The hair is made up of keratin, a kind of strong and powerful protein in the body. Live cells exist in the hair bulb, which is the base of the hair, and its cells are fed by blood vessels that carry food and hormones. Which affect hair growth during different stages of life. Cells grow in the hair follicle to give the hair shaft, which is based on the hair follicle until it is released from the skin. The hair grows through three phases: the anagen phase, which lasts for several years, and then develops the catagen phase, where the growth of the hair is slow during these weeks, and then the telogen phase where it stops The growth of the hair and separate from the follicle and fall down to allow a new hair to begin the stages of her life. [1]
Hair analysis is defined as a scientific examination of the hair sample, whether found in crime scenes or taken from the head for health studies. [2] Hair analysis can also identify relatives, The analysis of hair also gives an idea of changes in the body, such as exposure to certain chemicals or the use of drugs in the past few months, while not giving information on the recent changes that have occurred over the past few days to slow hair growth. [3]
The scientific principle of hair analysis
The hair can maintain a long-term record of the body's exposure to drugs, drugs and minerals during the life of the hair estimated at five to six years, where the analysis depends on the examination of the hair itself, and surrounding fatty substances, and deoxyribonucleic acid (deoxyribonucleic acid) . The analysis is based on a simple principle: that the hair during its life and growth within the hair follicle absorbed many of the substances in the bloodstream, and continued this process and took the hair grow and grow and record what was contained blood throughout the life, and these substances are found in the fatty layer surrounding the hair, Secretion of sebaceous glands (Sebaceous gland). [2]
Method of hair analysis
There is a set of laboratory instructions to prepare the hair sample for examination. In general, the hair must be clean and free of hair care products. The sample is then taken from a region close to the skin. This area of the hair is newly developed to give up-to-date information about the body. The sample from the bottom of the scalp or pubic area, and then send the sample to the laboratory to be
processed with certain chemicals and then examined.
The following is a simplified explanation of hair analysis techniques used:
Trichogram: This technique is based on the principle of physical examination of the naked eye (macroscopic), and using a microscope (microscopic) of the hair and scalp, and is currently used to know the life phase of the hair and determine the cause of hair loss.
Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry The chemical examination of the hair shaft is performed to determine the components of DNA, minerals, drugs, drugs, toxins and heavy metals present in the hair, even in small amounts.
Uses of hair analysisHere are some possible uses for hair analysis:Examination of metals, drugs and toxinsHair analysis can be used to examine heavy metal poisoning such as Lead, Mercury, and Arsenic. Hair analysis is the typical medical examination of chronic arsenic poisoning, Often from farmers' inhalation of insecticides (Insecticide). Hair analysis can also be used to check for illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, amphetamines, or metabolites,
">It should be noted that the results of this examination need to three weeks to appear, and has long been adopted in the courts if needed.Despite the benefits of hair analysis, there are some factors that restrict and restrict its use, including: External factors, such as place of residence or work, may cause a false positive result, such as when someone is near someone else who smokes hashish or marijuana.
There is no standard method for examination; this results in different results between laboratories, and even in one laboratory different results may appear when analyzing more than one hair from the same sample, making it necessary to confirm the result through blood examination or urine examination.
Lack of knowledge of the relationship between the amount of consumption of drugs or alcohol with the amount that will appear in the hair.
The use of certain types of medicines, such as birth control pills, which can change the concentration of minerals in the hair.
Exposure to hair lotions, such as shampoos, tints, and hair dyes, can reduce the proportion of some
minerals and may deposit other minerals.
Other factors such as age, sex, hair color, race, hair growth rate, and location of the hair sample of it, all of which can affect the concentration of elements in the hair.DNA examination in forensicsTo do this, the hair should be plucked or removed from its place rather than cut. This may be somewhat painful, [3] to retain the hair root for use in the DNA analysis of the hair; the DNA fingerprint is used as a definitive guide to the crimes, To ascertain whether a person has been addicted to drinking alcohol or drugs during the past month or months, depending on the length of the hair being examined.
Healthy body assessment and diagnosis of diseasesAlthough some studies have suggested hair analysis for cortisol levels, some studies have suggested a relationship between height, heart disease, diabetes, It is worth mentioning that most insurance companies do not pay for this type of hair analysis, and it is considered the claim of some laboratories, medical sites, and places of care The ability of hair analysis on T Diagnosis of diseases, assessment of the nutritional and health status of the human being, identification of the need and deficiency of the body of minerals and elements false claim can not be trusted. Causes of distrust in hair analysis for diagnosis of diseases:In addition to the impediments mentioned earlier, among these reasons: