[Research Progress on Hair Metabolomics and Its Application in Forensic Science]

Metabolomics is an emerging technology that uses bioinformatics techniques and methods to comprehensively analyze changes in small-molecule metabolites within organisms to identify biomar-kers. In recent years, hair has gradually gained attention in the field of metabolomics. Compared with blood and urine, hair offers a wider detection window and enables retrospective studies. In addition, segmental analysis based on hair growth rates allows hair metabolomics to provide chronological information on changes in relevant substances. At present, hair metabolomics has established a certain research foundation in areas such as monitoring drug abuse, and it shows broad application prospects in forensic applications. This article reviews the collection and processing of hair samples, analytical techniques, and their applications in forensic research, with the aim of providing a reference for the further development of hair metabolomics and its in-depth application across multiple fields.