Profiling of Hair Proteome Revealed Individual Demographics

September 2023 in “ Forensic science international. Genetics ”

Sunil S. Adav, C. Leung, Kee Woei Ng

hair proteome keratins keratin-associated proteins proteomics phenotyping

TLDR Hair protein analysis might help identify a person's ethnicity, sex, and age in forensics.

This study profiled the hair proteome of individuals aged 20-80 from different sexes and ethnic groups (Chinese, Indians, Malays, and Filipinos), revealing that keratins and keratin-associated proteins can distinguish between ethnicities, while specific protein candidates and their abundances can differentiate sex and age. The findings highlight the potential of hair proteomics phenotyping in forensic science for identifying individuals based on demographic characteristics.

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