NCJ Number
226462
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2009 Pages: 172-189
Date Published
March 2009
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This research differentiated brands of hair dyes by using thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
Abstract
The same solvent system used on the purchased dyes was also the most appropriate for dyes extracted from the dyed hair. Most of the dyes from the dyed hair were well separated, with distinct spots and hRf values, but the color of the spots was less intense compared to those of the purchased dyes. The same system can be used for separation and identification purposes. This combination of solvent system and visualizing agent has not been reported by earlier researchers. The study also suggests that the same brand of dye from different individuals’ hair yields similar types of results. Different brands of dyes produced varying results, so they could be distinguished from each other. Various combinations of solvent systems were tried for the separation of dye components of commercially available Indian hair dyes. Thirty-five different solvent combinations were tried for the separation of all dyes. Ethyl methyl ketone/choloroform/ammonia (20:80:1.5) was the most suitable. The dyed hair samples from volunteers were subjected to analysis by the same system of TLC analysis. The list of solvents used for the extraction of dye from dyed hair is provided. The descriptions of materials and methods addresses the collection of dyes and dyed hair specimens, the design of the solvent system, the preparation of TLC plates, the extraction of dye from hair samples, the spotting of samples, and visualization. 6 tables, 11 figures, and 6 references