LECTURE 15: HAIR AND FIBRE/ CHAPTERS ON HAIR EXAMINATION AND FIBRE Flashcards
Hair only comes from
mammals
hair is usually what kind of characteristic
generally class, however can be indivvidualised by DNA analysis and using other characterustics of colour/ split ends
human
use mainly scalp and pubic hair for analysis
Animals
guard hair, underhair
Main group
characteristics
• used overall diameter of shaft larger diameter = coarser hair
• medullary index - diam. medulla/diam. hair
• shaft shape of medulla and any inclusions
• root shape
• general hair shape
• scale pattern on cuticle
human vs animal
Human
- Consistent color and pigmentation
- Pigmentation even
- Medulla amorphus
- Medullary index ~0.3
- Root club shaped
Animal
- Often have bands of colour
- Pigmentation central
- Medulla continuous
- Medullar >0.3
- Root shape highly variable
3 types of animal hair
- 3 main types/ classes • guard – top coat • fur/wool – undercoat • tactile – whiskers - mane/ tail hair (e.g. horse) could be considered modified guard hair
1) Guard hairs = large, stiff hairs, make up the outer part of the animal’s coat. These hairs should be used for microscopic identification.
Have a widening in the upper half of the shaft, called a shield.
Below the shield, a sub-shield stricture, a narrowing of the hair to slightly less than the normal, non-
shield shaft diameter, may be accompanied by a bend in the shaft at the stricture.
2) Fur hairs = thinner, softer, providing warmth & bulk, usefulness for microscopic examination/identification
3) Vibrissa = whiskers, short to long, stiff, often white hairs around the snout & muzzle. Have a long life cycle, lost less often than the myriad guard & fur hairs of a typical animal.
Fabrics
- May consist of many different types of fibre
- Look at the weave of the material
- Analyse the pattern in which the fibres are put together
• e.g. ropes/cables can potentially tell you who the manufacturer is - If have a piece of fabric could match torn edges to clothing, rug, etc.
- Not just about murder/break-ins
- Can you tell the difference between antique and reproduction rugs
why are hairs good evidence
because they are sturdy & can survive years, carry a lot of biological information, easy & cost effective to examine.
- Hair is one of the most durable materials produced in natures – hairs from mummies which have been dead for thousands of years have been found.
hair grows from
the skin (epidermis) of the body
Follicle
= structure within which hairs grow, a roughly cylindrical tube with a larger pit
at the bottom.
hair is made of what
keratin
keratin
a tough protein-based material from which hair, nails, & horns are made in animals.
Keratinization
hardening process of hair growth
- also explains why hair doesnt hurt when cut, dead from when it peaks out of skin
follicle also contains others structures
such as blood vessels, nerves, & sebaceous glands, the latter producing oils that coat hairs, helping to keep them soft & pliable.
Hair muscles
pili arrector muscles - raise when cold - piloerection