Human scalp hair samples were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the ratio of the amide I to amide II band absorbances was determined. The effects of hair oxidation, color, age of sample, and sex of source were examined. Scalp hair from 98 individuals was also analyzed. While there were differences in the amide absorption band ratios, these were difficult to relate to the individualization of the hair samples and did not appear to have a sufficient discriminatory value for routine forensic use.