Capillary column pyrolysis-gas chromatography of hair: a short study in personal identification

Human head hairs from 18 individuals were analysed by capillary column pyrolysis-gas chromatography (PyGC). The pyrograms showed several components, three of which were found to differ significantly among individuals. These major components were identified as benzene, toluene and styrene by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. As the result of capillary column PyGC of 18 amino acids, it was found that differences among the individuals were due to the different amounts of particular amino acids in the hair. The quantities of the components were, further, found not to change in 18 months.