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Human hair identification by instrumental neutron activation analysis

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Abstract

Nondestructive neutron activation technique was used to analyze 17 elements (Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Cl, Cu, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sb, Sr, V and Zn) in 75 human hair samples in 5 different locations, respectively, from 15 glassware workers. The analytical results were treated further statistically to find the elemental distribution among different human hairs and to identify the individual's hair. The identifying probability of one's hair by the comparison of elemental concentrations is found to be 104–106 times higher from the same person's than from any other person's. The standard deviation of the elemental concentrations of samples taken from 5 different locations of one person is about 5 times smaller than the standard deviation for individual's hair. These data support the possibility of using NAA of hair for human hair identification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yonsei University, #234 Maeji-ri Hungup-myon, Wonju-si, 222-701, Kangwondo, Korea

    S. Y. Cho

  2. The National Institute of Scientific Investigation, 333-1 Shinwol-Dong, Yangchon-Ku, 158-094, Seoul, Korea

    S. G. Jang

  3. Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Yusong, P. O. Box 105, 305-600, Taejon, Korea

    Y. S. Chung

Authors
  1. S. Y. Cho
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  2. S. G. Jang
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  3. Y. S. Chung
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Cho, S.Y., Jang, S.G. & Chung, Y.S. Human hair identification by instrumental neutron activation analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 229, 143–147 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389463

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