Yes, cut hair does contain DNA.
While the root of the hair contains the most DNA, the shaft of the hair, which is the part that is typically cut, also contains a small amount of DNA. This DNA is located in the hair's nuclear and mitochondrial components.
The DNA found in cut hair can be used for identification purposes, although it is often more difficult to extract and analyze than DNA from other sources, such as blood or saliva.
This is because the amount of DNA in hair shafts is typically much smaller than in other sources.
Here are some examples of how DNA from cut hair can be used:
- Forensic investigations: Police can use DNA from hair found at a crime scene to identify suspects.
- Paternity testing: A father's DNA can be compared to a child's DNA from a hair sample.
- Animal identification: DNA from hair can be used to identify different species of animals.
However, it's important to note that:
- DNA from cut hair can be degraded over time, especially if it is exposed to sunlight, heat, or moisture.
- The amount of DNA in hair can vary greatly depending on factors such as hair color and thickness.
