Emerging Technologies for the Analysis of Forensic Traces by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030205423
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

9.1 Incorporation of Compounds into Hair

Hair is a fibre that covers a large portion of the body in mammals and originates from the follicle, which is located 3–4 mm below the dermis. The follicles are surrounded by a network of capillaries that supply blood to the growing hair. Hair grows in three phases; firstly it is in the anagen phase (active growing), then it moves into the catagen phase (transition) and finally the telogen (resting) phase. During the anagen phase hair grows from the bulb and this phase can last several years. The hair stops growing during the catagen phase and a keratinized club is formed in the follicle. This is then ready to fall out in the telogen phase and the process may then start again [1, 2]. During the growth of the hair, compounds are incorporated into the hair shaft. There are several ways in which this can occur, the most common route is via the bloodstream during the anagen phase of hair growth. Other methods include incorporation via sweat/sebum after hair formation and from environmental exposure (e.g. via contact with contaminated hands or smoking). It is also possible that the compounds can be incorporated into the hair from the surrounding tissue [3, 4]. These processes are illustrated in Fig. 9.1.

Fig. 9.1Diagrams showing a the growth phases of hair and b incorporation routes of compounds into the hair

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