Could we direct PCR of human hair shafts?

[Wasun Chantratita]

Dear Netter
 Though, human DNA is more easily extracted from the roots of hairs, hair 
bulbs are preferable for PCR, but plucking hairs to obtain the bulbs is 
very painful. My question is would it be possible for direct PCR from the 
shafts of hairs instead? Someone said that it is impossible to PCR hair 
shafts since they contain only melanin.

Thank you in advance

Wasun Chantratita, Ph.D.
Department of Clinical Microbiology
Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences 
Chiang Mai University
Chiang mai 50200
Thailand-