Hair Analysis: Why It Is Done


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Why It Is Done


Hair analysis is used to provide DNA evidence for criminal and paternity cases. For DNA testing, the root of one hair is needed to analyze DNA and to establish a person's genetic makeup.

Hair analysis is less commonly used to test for heavy metals in the body, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.



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Last updated: May 09, 2008
Author: Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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