What is the latest on the Booth DNA Project?

[wsanto]

(03-31-2013 12:27 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  The Lucinda Holloway lock looks like it was very well cared for and preserved. Not knowing much about DNA testing, I'm wondering how that would work out. I'm against the whole thing, but if it would put an end to this, that would be a good thing. There's nothing worse than an irritating Yankee that won't go away. (At least that's what I've been told.)

Hair does not contain DNA. Hair follicles (the living bit at the base of the strand that grows the hair) do contain DNA. A lock of hair wouldn't contain any follicles as it is typically dead hair clipped from a longer bit of dead hair far above the follicle. Hair that falls out or, even better, is pulled out would have the follicle at the base in order to get DNA.

Dead hair strands can contain arsenic and other substances present in the body at the time it is growing from the follicle.