Dyed Hair and Swimming Pools: The Influence of Chlorinated and Nonchlorinated Agitated Water on Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Artificial Dyes on Hair.

Chlorine, commonly found in pools and tap water, presents an intriguing concern in forensic hair analysis due to its sources and composition. Current forensic analysis involves optical microscopy which is subjected to advanced training where even multiple experts can deliver opposing conclusions for the same hair sample. Despite challenges in traditional analysis methods, emerging techniques like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offer promising solutions, showcasing success even in harsh environments like prolonged sunlight or stagnant water immersion.