Posted 01.03.2011 at 3:55 pm
6 Comments
Natural Blonde
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Dutch scientists have come up with a DNA test that can determine a person’s natural hair color, using no more than a drop of blood or saliva. They say their method can predict hair color with up to 90 percent accuracy, helping forensic investigators identify an unknown person’s characteristics.
Apparently these guys are unfamiliar with hair dye.
Still, the study is an improvement over current hair color-determination tests — previously, only red hair, which is rare, could be determined from DNA. Researchers at Erasmus MC in the Netherlands used DNA and hair color information from hundreds of Europeans, and studied genes known to influence hair color. Ultimately, they identified 13 DNA markers on 11 genes that can serve as hair color predictors.
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Science, Rebecca Boyle, biomarkers, dna, dna samples, dna testing, forensic scientists, hair, hair folliclesThe same team has also studied eye color prediction using DNA, and in November, Erasmus MC researchers published a study detailing how to estimate age on the basis of DNA material. Certain immune-related DNA molecules inside blood cells decrease with age, according to the researchers. All these biomarker tests can yield a wealth of information from tiny traces left at a crime scene or a disaster, said researcher Ate Kloosterman of the Department of Human Biological Traces at the Netherlands Forensic Institute.
“This new development results in an important expansion of the future DNA toolkit used by forensic investigators to track down unknown offenders,” he said.
Just as long as they don’t dye their hair.
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I don't think this would be reliable unless the natural color of a person's hair was vital to a specific case. Besides, lots of factors can change a person's hair color.
www.geekness.webs.com
With the enormous number of unsolved murders, rapes and abductions over the years (many of which include DNA evidence), this will prove to be a very welcome tool to hunt down suspects. Kudo`s to the Dutch Scientists.
OK, so what is next?
That the Neanderthals had blonde hair. Blue eyes.
Probably true.
As their genome sheds their secrets.
This only help with most males and a small percentage of females. ;)
There is also a product called HairDX that can determine at about 90% accuracy if you will one day go bald. It is a genetic test and done with a swab of saliva. This is a great way to determine if you need to get some preventative measures if your dad, uncle, or grandfather is bald. The test is about $150 but well worth it. For more fantastic information on hair loss and hair restoration options, please visit www.greathairtransplants.com.
Steven Cook
www.hairtransplantscience.com
The DNA is an unkown. We don't know who's it is, or how it got there, and assuming it must belong to the killer is an error in logic. It is certainly appropriate to speculate that it COULD be from the killer, but then, it COULD also be there from an accidental source - by your own admission.
The Ramseys absolutely are not cleared.
Cheers!
http://www.HAIRandlaserclinic.com