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Forensic scientists perform 3 major types of hair analysis: (1) testing the hair shaft for drugs or nutritional deficiencies in a person's system, (2) analyzing DNA collected from the root of the hair, and (3) viewing hair under a microscope to determine if it's from a particular person or animal.

Hair analysis is done by evaluating hair structure and DNA from cells attached to the root of the hair. It can be used to find out if people are related. Forensic hair analysis can be done to help identify a person who may have been present at a crime scene.

A comparison microscope can be used to compare a questioned hair to a known hair sample in order to determine if the hairs are similar and if they could have come from a common source.

Many tiny blood vessels feed the base of each strand. During that time, your hair shaft absorbs chemicals from any drugs you take. It also contains sweat, your body's natural oils, and any toxins around you. A hair analysis uses special techniques to look closely at your hair under a microscope.

Based on this comparison, the examiner may conclude (1) that the hairs are consistent or similar and could have come from the same source, (2) that the hairs are dissimilar and did not come from the same source or (3) that the hairs possess characteristics which are not sufficiently defined to arrive at a meaningf-..

Typically, a light microscope is used to analyze hair. It allows light to shine brightly and go through the strand of hair displaying the internal parts, such as the medulla. A comparison light microscope is used to compare two samples.

It is still acknowledged as a useful technique for confirming that hairs do not match. But DNA testing of evidence has overturned many convictions that relied on hair analysis.

Forensic scientists perform 3 major types of hair analysis: (1) testing the hair shaft for drugs or nutritional deficiencies in a person's system, (2) analyzing DNA collected from the root of the hair, and (3) viewing hair under a microscope to determine if it's from a particular person or animal.

Hair analysis is also a very helpful process in locating and eliminating suspects in crimes. Crime scene investigators are usually responsible for collecting hair samples at crime scenes to be analyzed later in the hopes of solving a crime.