Let me try to address this DNA from hair topic as best I can...hair can be broken down as to cellular structure, hue, etc., but technically once it pushes through the scalp it is "dead". No ladies, don't condemn me for saying it that way...it's not an insult. But the gradual cellular decay over time, combined with efforts to maintain cleanliness (well...let's at least HOPE the effort is made), is ultimately going to end with trimming, due to split ends. For a DNA sample to be taken, it can be from any tissue which has not ossified (that word isn't truly what I'm trying for, since that means turning to either bone or stone [which most people would call petrified]), but I think you will get the idea. It does, as Jan said, have to come from some at least RELATIVELY soft tissue. Bone marrow works centuries later, quite often. However, I certainly don't advocate exhumation of all buried bodies to obtain DNA specimens. But hair falls into the same category as finger or toe nails...they can be analyzed for chemical & cellular makeup, but not DNA...they're dead when they emerge from the skin. Mike IBSSG > [Original Message] > From: J. Garland <zippywebgenie@hotmail.com> > To: <BlackSheep-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 5/3/2002 5:08:49 PM > Subject: Re: [BS-L] Re:DNA from hair > > > > Something else... DNA from hair, and anywhere on the outside, is bound to be > more contaminated, which is a real problem. That's why they like soft tissue > DNA from places that were not exposed. > > Secondly, the DNA from some places lasts longer than from other places on > the body. Again, it has to do with exposure, but also with the source, be it > bone or nerve or soft tissue. And also the conditions and environment around > the corpse, wet, dry or whatever. > > Jan G. > > > ----Original Message Follows---- > From: "J. Garland" <zippywebgenie@hotmail.com> > Reply-To: BlackSheep-L@rootsweb.com > To: BlackSheep-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [BS-L] Re:DNA from hair > Date: Fri, 03 May 2002 14:55:19 -0700 > > > Ruthie, I know they've used hair to ID a corpse. They've compared the color > and structure. I've never heard of them using the DNA. And it still wouldn't > solve the problem of verifying the real source of the old hair. Things > passed down for a couple generations don't always originate from the person > it's said to come from. And that's a problem that could really throw a > wrench in the works. > > Jan G. > > > > ----Original Message Follows---- > From: "Ruthie Jones" <ruthiejones@theofficenet.com> > Reply-To: BlackSheep-L@rootsweb.com > To: BlackSheep-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [BS-L] Re:DNA from hair > Date: Fri, 3 May 2002 07:25:01 -0700 > > DNA is in every cell in our bodies, including hair. "Soft" tissue is not a > factor. Frequently, > forensic scientists use hair to ID a corpse. So, yes, those locks of hair > in lockets, old > letters, etc., can be used to confirm familial lineage. > Ruthie > I don't know if they can, Jack, have never heard of it. I think it has to > be > blood or soft tissue, even nerve tissue from teeth. They can match hair > with > hair, but I think that's all. > Jan G. > > > I wonder if you can get a DNA reading from old hair ? I know a lot of > people collected old hair from some of their deceased loved ones. It > seems > to me that would be the only way one could prove anything, through direct > DNA samples. > > Jack Childers in OKC > > > > > > ==== BlackSheep Mailing List ==== > --- > > The contents of the Blacksheep-L@rootsweb.com archives are copyrighted by > each individual submitter. > TENDER LAMB CORNER: If your Blacksheep is still living, or public posting > may cause trouble, send the information to our TLC Coordinator, Sue Bates; > BSBates@netease.net, Confidentiality maintained. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go > to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com > > > ==== BlackSheep Mailing List ==== > ~~~~ > The contents of the Blacksheep-L@rootsweb.com archives are copyrighted by > each individual submitter. > > http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/mia.html > This is the POW/MIA Links and Database. > A complete list by Service Branch of POW/MIA/KIAs in Vietnam is here. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go > to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. > > > ==== BlackSheep Mailing List ==== > --- > > The contents of the Blacksheep-L@rootsweb.com archives are copyrighted by each individual submitter. > TENDER LAMB CORNER: If your Blacksheep is still living, or public posting may cause trouble, send the information to our TLC Coordinator, Sue Bates; BSBates@netease.net, Confidentiality maintained. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 --- Shuler Michael --- grinch42@mindspring.com --- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet.