The x-ray line scanning technique has the inherent ability to produce useful parameters for objective discrimination between the sites of metal ion incorporation, through dietary or drug ingestion, and sites of external application. Such parameters of comparative hair identification are not only important in forensic investigation but are also needed for diagnostic purposes. The project is intended for x-ray excited fluorescence spectroscopy within a scanning electron microscope (SEM) which will include, in due course, analysis of trace elements. The present studies were conducted by a careful application of the analog, or ratemeter approach, to energy dispersive x-rays of the major element (sulfur of hair Keratin) and a minor element (copper) of hair, with a view to determine the merit of the line scanning approach.
Hair identification key of wild and domestic ungulates from southern Europe