How are hair samples processed in laboratories?
Written by
Leilani Ibeh
Reviewed by
Prof. William Dalton, Ph.D.Processing of laboratory hair samples occurs under tightly controlled, standardized processes, maintaining analytical accuracy. Samples will undergo a series of key steps, including decontamination, sectioning, and analysis. Each step will maintain a chain of custody documentation that is essential to forensic validity and clinical competence.
Decontamination Phase
- Organic solvents remove external pollutants and residues
- Acetone baths eliminate cosmetic product contamination
- Enzyme solutions break down biological contaminants
- Triple-rinse protocols ensure complete surface cleaning
Segmentation Protocol
- Strands divided into 1cm sections representing monthly growth
- Proximal segments indicate recent exposures
- Distal sections reveal historical patterns
- Cryogenic preservation maintains molecular integrity
Analytical Preparation
- Cryogenic grinding at -196°C pulverizes samples uniformly
- Homogenization ensures consistent subsample representation
- Acid digestion converts minerals into detectable ions
- Quality controls include certified reference materials
Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis detects elements at parts-per-billion sensitivity. In an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), samples are vaporized into plasma so you can identify the elements. ICP-MS will identify microscopic levels of mercury or lead that could never be determined using other methods.
Quality control protocols include blind sample analysis and triple-verification. Technicians process certified reference materials alongside test samples. Data undergoes a three-tier review ensuring analytical accuracy within ±5% variance thresholds.
Chromatography techniques like HPLC separate complex organic compounds. This detects drug metabolites and environmental toxins. Specialized columns isolate target substances from hair matrix components, ensuring precise quantification of these substances.
Read the full article: Understanding Hair Mineral Analysis Secrets
