Nail as a biomarker for age estimation in Chandigarh and Haryana region

This study explores the potential of utilizing nail composition as a reliable biomarker for age estimation in the Haryana and Chandigarh regions of India in this study total of 360 fingernail samples were collected from various aged individuals between 1.5 and 60 years and categorized into six age groups for comprehensive analysis. Each sample underwent a standardized cleaning protocol followed by advanced analytical procedures, including Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and multivariate statistical analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results demonstrated significant correlations between specific spectral features of nail keratin and age groups. External validation and blind testing further supported the robustness of the methodology, yielding 100% accuracy in age classification. These findings suggest that fingernails can serve as effective biological markers for age estimation, offering practical applications in forensic science and anthropological research. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of nail biochemistry and its implications for demographic profiling.