Forensics Flashcards
The initial growth phase during which the hair follicle actively produces hair
Anagen phase
A transition stage between the anagen and telogen phases of the hair growth
Catagen phase
The main body of the hair shaft
Cortex
The scale structure covering the exterior of the hair
Cuticle
A translucent piece of tissue surrounding the hair’s shaft near the root that contains the richest source of DNA associated with hair
Follicular tag
The process by which hair is analyzed to find out things about the person it came from
Hair Analysis
A molecule with a high molecular mass
Macromolecule
Fibers derived from either natural or synthetic polymers graph of cotton fiber
Manufactured fibers
A cellular column running through the center of the hair
Medulla
DNA present in small structures (mitochondria) outside the nucleus of a cell; mitochondria supply energy to the cell, DNA inherited from the mother
Mitochondrial DNA
Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
Molecule
The basic unit of structure from which a polymer is constructed
Monomer
Fibers derived entirely from animal or plant sources
Natural fibers
DNA that is present in the nucleus of the cell and that is inherited from both parents
Nuclear dna
A substance composed of a large number of atoms that are usually arranged in repeating units
Polymer
The final growth phase in which hair naturally falls out of the skin
Telogen phase
Radiation composed of helium atoms minus their orbiting electrons
Alpha particle
The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
Atomic mass
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
Atomic number
Radiation composed of electrons
Beta particle
A type of emission spectrum showing a continuous band of colors all blending into one another
Continuous spectrum
A negatively charged particle that is one of the fundamental structural units of the atom
Electron
The path of electrons as they move around the nuclei of atoms, each orbital is associated with a particular electronic energy level
Electron Orbital
Light emitted from a source and separated into its components, colors, or frequencies
Emission spectrum
The state in which an atom absorbs energy and an electron moves from a lower to a higher energy level
Excited state
A high energy form of electromagnetic radiation
Gamma Ray
An atom differing from another atom of the same element in the number of neutrons it has in its nucleus
Isotope
A type of emission spectrum showing a series of lines separated by black areas
Line spectrum
A naturally occurring crystalline solid
Mineral
A particle with no electrical charge that is one of the basic structures in the nucleus of an atom
Neutron
The core of an atom, consisting of protons and neutrons
Nucleus
A positively charged particle that is one of the basic structures in the nucleus of an arom
Proton
The decomposition of organic matter by heat
Pyrolysis
The emission of high-energy subatomic particles that accompanies the spontaneous disintegration of unstable nuclei
Radioactivity
