Yes, it is possible for science to determine some traits of hair from skeletal remains, although the extent of information that can be obtained depends on various factors.
Hair contains valuable information that can be used for forensic analysis, including determining certain physical characteristics of an individual. Scientists can examine the structure, color, and other characteristics of hair to make inferences about the person's traits.
For example, the morphology of the hair shaft can provide information about the racial or ethnic background of the individual. Different racial and ethnic groups have distinct hair characteristics, such as the shape, thickness, and cross-sectional structure of the hair shaft. However, it's important to note that these traits are not absolute and can overlap between populations.
Hair color is another trait that can be determined from skeletal remains. Genetic markers associated with hair color have been identified, and researchers can analyze these markers to estimate the hair color of an individual. This is based on the understanding that certain variations in genes are associated with specific hair colors, such as variants in the MC1R gene for red hair.
However, it's worth noting that determining the precise hair color from skeletal remains may not always be accurate, as there can be variations and limitations in the methods used. Environmental factors, degradation over time, and the preservation of the hair sample can also affect the accuracy of the analysis.
In summary, while science can provide some insights into the traits of hair from skeletal remains, the information obtained may have limitations and should be interpreted with caution. Advances in genetic analysis techniques continue to improve our understanding of human traits, but there are still inherent challenges in extracting complete and accurate information from ancient or degraded samples.