U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Using Isotopes in Human Hair to Reveal Personal Characteristics for Forensic Investigations
NCJ Number
              251662

Date Published

April 2018
Length
              2 pages
Annotation
              This is a summary of the full report on NIJ-funded research that investigated the potential of using isotopes in specific amino acids in human hair to obtain information on an individual's age, sex, race, body mass, genetic disorders, health, and region of origin.
Abstract
              Through this process, the project succeeded in predicting the sex of individuals with 94 percent accuracy, age group with 83 percent accuracy, and region of origin with 61 percent accuracy. Researchers also report detecting Type II diabetes with 100 percent accuracy. The researchers collected hair samples from 97 U.S. residents and 94 residents of Jordan. Each participant completed a questionnaire on biometrics, nutritional habits, lifestyle, health, and region of origin. The samples were analyzed through bulk isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), which is the traditional method of analyzing whole hair samples. A portion of the samples were used to conduct a more detailed isotopic analysis of the individual types of amino acids that compose the hair. The results of the analysis were then incorporated into an existing global database of approximately 3,500 individual isotope samples. Geographic analysis of the U.S. subjects' data is pending. Using combinations of isotope measurements, the researchers attempted to identify body mass index, age, and diet of the sample group members. They also attempted to predict the presence of Type II diabetes from the amino acids in the hair samples. The researchers report that "At this time, we do not expect these fundamental research findings to affect public policy or routine casework in crime laboratories; however, we have made significant strides toward the development of novel investigative leads."
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2013-DN-BX-K007


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Summary)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        Biometrics from the Isotopic Analysis of Amino Acids in Human Hair
    
  
  
Date Published: April 1, 2018
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Forensic laboratories
        Forensic sciences
        Grants and funding
        Investigative techniques
        Justice system



  
Similar Publications
        
                      ICPUTRD: Image Cloud Platform for Use in Tagging and Research on Decomposition
                  Rapid screening for smokeless powders using DART-HRMS and thermal desorption DART-HRMS
                  US forensic Y-chromosome short tandem repeats database
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov