Hair And Fiber Evidence Flashcards
What are the 4 functions of hair?
Regulates temperature, acts as a sense of organ, protects from sunlight, and decreases friction
What is the continuous medulla type?
One unbroken line of color
What is the interrupted medulla type?
A pigmented line broken at regular intervals
What is the fragmented medulla type?
A pigmented line unevenly spaced
What are 3 cuticle scale patters?
Coronal, spinous, and imbricate
What animal has a coronal scale pattern?
Small rodents
What animal has a spinous scale pattern?
Cats
What animal has a imbricate scale pattern?
Deer
How does the presence of a hair root change the forensic value of hair as evidence?
Changes the forensics value because it becomes a individual piece of evidence
What is the outside layer of the hair called?
Cuticle
What is in between the cuticle and medulla of the hair?
Cortex
What is the innermost layer of the hair follicle?
Medulla
What are the tiny dots in a hair follicle?
Pigment granule
What are the varying shapes in a hair follicle?
Cortical fusi
What are the large granules in a hair follicle called?
Ovoid body
What is the difference between direct and secondary transfer of fiber evidence?
Direct is from the suspect to the victim and secondary is from the scene to the suspect then onto the victim
What are 3 ways fiber evidence can be gathered?
Special vacuums, sticky tape, and forceps
What are the 2 basic categories fibers can be broken into?
Natural fibers and synthetic fibers
What is a natural fiber?
A fiber that comes from natural resources
What is a synthetic fiber?
A fiber that is man-made
What are the 3 subcategories plant fibers can be broken into?
Steam fibers such as flax, Leaf fibers like abaca and seed-hair fibers like cotton
Advantages of natural fibers
Natural fibers can protect against the sun
Disadvantage of natural fibers
Natural fibers are less durable
Advantage of synthetic fibers
They are very durable and strong
Disadvantage of synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers melt in the sun if left out for too long
