This question comes up every week: “Can you do a DNA test on a hair sample?” Our customer service reps are always tell clients, “Yes, most of the time.” There is one primary factor that determines whether a DNA lab can perform a paternity test on hair.
The hair must be from the root.
Clients contact us and want to prove paternity without other individuals knowing. Usually, collecting a hair sample is the easiest way, but the hair must be plucked, or otherwise from the root.
We’ve had good success obtaining DNA from a hairbrush. We ask our clients to send us the entire brush, so our forensic analysts can collect an appropriate sample. This involves placing the hair under a microscope, and selecting the strands that contain a root. One thing to consider: The brush should have on
ly one user; many people share their brush
with family members who have similar colored hair. It will be very difficult to determine which strand belongs who which person.
There is no nuclear DNA in a strand of hair that does not contain the root. Paternity testing cannot be completed without the root. However, we can complete maternity testing, because the hair contains mitochondrial DNA, which is passed on through female generations.
If you have a hairbrush that you want tested, I recommend sending the entire brush to a DNA lab, rather than pulling hair out yourself and sending it in. Forensic analysts are trained to collect and extract DNA from difficult samples.
Next time you’re unable to collect a cheek swab, consider a discreet paternity test using a hair sample.
