Did you know that where you are from and where you have been can be traced through a single strand of your hair?
According to this study published in the Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry journal in 2009, a team of Spanish and British scientists have found a way to trace your travels by testing your hair by using a laser-ablation technique. This technique is able to detect variations in the sulphur isotopes of a single hair strand over time.
During the study, researchers collected hair samples from three volunteers, two of whom were permanent United Kingdom residents while the third had spent the previous 6 months travelling through Croatia, Austria, and Australia.
Results of testing showed that the traveller’s hair strand had considerable variations in the sulfur isotopes while hair strands from the two home-bound U.K. residents had minimal to no changes.
These interesting results could have huge relevance for governmental agencies interested in tracing the lifestyles of international criminals and terror suspects.
I doubt it’s a test that would be applied to ordinary travelers, but if one day, you’re heading through customs and feel a slight tug on your head, it might just be that you’ve suddenly be tagged for a hair test…
wow its ridiculous how they are using technologies nowadays
good thing I just cut my hair then. Seems like it would work best on people who let their tresses grow way long. Otherwise they’d know I move freely among the Americas, and well, that might not be that interesting for anyone. Wonder if they can tell how many times I’ve been teargassed lately here in Chile?
@eileen i dnt think the length would matter i think they just need the smallest strand