NCJ Number
132316
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Society Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/March 1991) Pages: 59-65
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Thirty-one different mounting medias were tested against a list of ideal properties for forensic hair examination and for identification of a suitable product for routine use by forensic examiners.
Abstract
All of the mountants were examined for color, fluorescence, ease of handling, setting time, toxicity of solvent, bubble and crystal formation, yellowing, and shrinkage. Storage characteristics were noted over a period of 9 months, both in storage jars and under coverslips in normal usage. None of the examiners selected a single product as providing the best microscopic image of hair; 17 out of 30 mountants were chosen at least once. Out of this group, 11 had a refractive index within the range of 1.520-1.539 (wet). The six products which best fitted the criteria for the ideal mountant were Styrolite, DPX, DePeX, Fluorolite, Uvinert, and Hystomount. These mountants are mixtures of polystyrene and dibutyl phthalate in varying proportions dissolved in xylene. They were indistinguishable by infrared spectroscopy, although polystyrene can itself vary and other components may be added to produce the required properties. None of six products are recommended over any of the others as the ideal mounting media. However, Histoclear, a non-toxic solvent, is recommended for the dissolution of most xylene based mountants in the removal of hairs and fibers from tapes and prepared microscope slides. 3 tables and 8 references (Author abstract modified)