Yes, you can get DNA from a hairbrush, but success depends heavily on the hair having the root (follicle) attached, which contains nuclear DNA for identification; shed hairs without roots only offer mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is less specific, and samples are prone to contamination, making cheek swabs far more reliable for personal identification or genealogy. Forensic labs might succeed with plucked hairs (with roots), but genealogy sites like Ancestry/23andMe require saliva, and results from brush hairs are often inconclusive or not legally defensible for genealogy.
Short answer: Without the hair follicle (or parts thereof), no DNA can be extracted from a strand of hair.
Hair DNA testing is generally quite successful. If the hair does not have the follicle it can still be used because it contains what is known as mitochondrial DNA; however, this type of DNA is useful only for determining maternal lineage.
Only the hair follicle contains DNA -- a cut strand of hair (as well as your nail clippings) consists mostly of alpha-keratin and the pigment melanin, but contains no DNA.
A Toothbrush DNA Test uses a regularly used toothbrush as the DNA sample source, rather than a cheek swab. This method is proven to be a non-intrusive alternative option, and ideal for discreet paternity testing scenarios, especially when using a swab may be awkward or impractical.
Examples include:
Toothbrushes are one of the most common discreet DNA sources. If kept dry after use and stored away from light and humidity, DNA can remain viable for up to 6–12 months. However, if the bristles stay wet or mold develops, degradation can occur in just weeks.
While hair paternity tests can provide accurate results, they are generally considered less reliable than cheek swab tests.
Once the barrier properties of keratin are gone, the genetic information begins to degrade more quickly. Modern analysis is far less probable to provide fully recognizable profiles over time, even if nuclear DNA within hairs may still be barely noticeable up to a week after cutting.
The TrichoGenie™ test kit includes simple instructions, a sample collection kit, and a return envelope. Collecting a DNA sample is easy and can be done at home. Once collected, send the sample back to our lab using the provided envelope. Results will be delivered securely to you through our platform.
Hair and fibres can provide valuable clues about the identity of an assailant or attacker. The discovery of hair on the body of a victim or on the clothes of a victim of an assault can often be used to determine the assailant or attackers' race and sex.
It's important to note that discreet or 'secret' DNA testing does not mean the test can be performed without the consent of the individuals providing their DNA for testing. Any person over the age of 16 must provide their own consent (a signature) for their DNA to be used in testing.
Obtaining a DNA Profile
DNA can also be obtained from a hat headband, for example, or the trigger of a gun. “As long as there are cells from the skin, it's possible to get DNA,” Hares said. “It all depends on the environmental conditions the sample has been exposed to.
Alternative forensic testing workflows, however, can recover genetic material from even rootless hair—achieving probative DNA results in cases where hair evidence plays a major role.
They were able to find enough markers to provide a unique pattern for an individual that would distinguish that person among a population of 1 million. Now, six years after starting their research, the Livermore team can use a single one-inch strand of hair to identify one person from among 10 million people.
Typical Cost Range for Hair DNA Tests
More detailed tests, like those for ancestry or genetic health risks, can range from $300 to over $1,000.
Research outcomes produced the following findings: five centimeters of rootless hair yielded in 77 of 80 hairs, enough DNA data from 300 M sequence reads to achieve 1-fold average genome coverage, which is enough DNA information to accurately infer genotypes to perform genetic genealogy analysis.
Busting the Myth
Ultimately, hair loss isn't as simple as inheriting it from one side of the family. Instead, it's a blend of genetic influences that come from both parents.
Male DNA is commonly found in the brains of women, most likely derived from prior pregnancy with a male fetus, according to first-of-its-kind research conducted at the Hutchinson Center.
It is not uncommon for Ancestry Composition Inheritance to report that a son or daughter inherited slightly more or less than 50% from each parent. This is because Ancestry Composition relies on the autosomes (chromosomes 1–22) and the X chromosome(s) to calculate Inheritance.
Some of the most common factors known to affect hair drug test results include:
Forensic Hair Comparison: DNA Analysis of Hairs – Both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA can be recovered from hair samples.
So, what happens when we kiss? Same thing occurs as when a swab is taken – we release our DNA. With a kiss it mingles. The DNA of a lover can be detected in your mouth up to an hour after the act.
The answer is Yes. Our in-house geneticists have undertaken viability studies to prove that used toothbrushes can be a good source of DNA. Following extensive tests, they have demonstrated that the method of brushing and the type of toothpaste used has no effect on the DNA extracted.
Hair with Root: DNA can last for years if the hair follicle (root) is intact, but DNA degrades if only the hair shaft is present. Blood Stains: Dried blood can preserve DNA for several years when kept in a dry, cool environment.