Comparison of Samples of Human Hair by Two-dimensional Electrophoresis

A two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic procedure has been developed to give a very sensitive method which provides a high degree of discrimination between the proteins of different samples of human hair using a sample of 3 mg. Its use is illustrated by examination of hair samples from seven individuals spanning three generations of the one family. Eight areas of variability in the electrophoretic patterns were found each of which corresponds to differences in one or more proteins. In addition to variability in patterns due to genetic variations between individuals, changes caused by cosmetic manipulation and environmental damage to the proteins may also be a useful adjunct for identification. This procedure shows potential for the forensic analysis of small samples, possibly even part of a single fibre, of human hair.