The Degradative Characteristics of Hair in Water Samples with Altered pH

June 2017

Tania Mills, Shashi K. Jasra, Pardeep Jasra

hair fibers cuticle cortex medulla keratin

TLDR Hair fibers degrade and change color in very basic water.

The study investigated the effects of altered pH levels on hair fibers, which are composed of the cuticle, cortex, and medulla, and protected by keratin. Hair fibers were exposed to acidic and basic water samples to simulate conditions relevant to forensic investigations. It was found that in extremely basic conditions, the hair fibers degraded, losing their keratin, changing color, and revealing the inner medulla.

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