To find out the best indicator sample for biomonitoring, whole-blood, urine, scalp hair, fingernail and tooth samples were collected randomly from volunteers of Mysore city and surrounding villages. These subjects (rural or urban) were grouped into two subgroups depending upon their personal/lifestyle factors namely, sex, occupation, food habit, drinking water source, alcohol consumption, betel and nut chewing, sugar level, blood, insulin treatment, economic status and cooking utensils used. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in whole blood, urine, scalp hair and fingernail were determined with the use of ICP-AES and levels of Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in tooth samples with AAS. Mean element concentration for each subgroup in each sample was calculated and the difference in mean value between subgroups was tested for its significance. Significantly differing element levels in each sample shows the influence of personal factors; in other words each sample indicate the effect of various lifestyle factor. Overall comparison was made for suitability of samples for biomonitoring and it is concluded that the sum total number of varied elements in all the influencing factors were higher in fingernails and it reveals that the fingernails are ideal, suitable and recommended indicator sample for biological monitoring of element status among general, occupationally exposed and ill-health subjects.