NCJ Number
78957
Date Published
1977
Length
57 pages
Annotation
This technical manual on the microscopic examination and identification of hairs discusses the components of human and animal hairs, characteristics of hairs from various body areas and different racial types, and hair examination in criminal investigation.
Abstract
The manual provides photomicrographs to aid the discussion. These depict actual hair specimens enlarged up to 320 times to illustrate the subtle variations in color between specimens and within individual specimens. The basic structure of hair is explained, and the key characteristics which serve as indicators of racial origin (Caucasian, Negroid, and Mongoloid) are compared. The importance of the hair-shaft diameter, hair texture, shape of the medulla and tip, length and color of hair, root, cuticle, scales, pigment, cortex, and signs of artificial treatment and damage are discussed in relationship to comparisons and identification of hairs. The microscopic examination and comparison of hairs can lead to several conclusions: (1) that the hairs from the questioned source are consistent or inconsistent with the hairs in a known sample and (2) that the questioned hairs and hairs in a given known sample exhibit both similarities and unaccountable differences in their characteristics. The microscopic identification of animal hairs is discussed under the categories of deer family and antelope, commercial fur animals, and domestic animals. Other related topics considered are report writing and testimony, slide preparation, some principles of microscopy, and basic parts of the compound microscope. A glossary and 37 bibliographic listings are also provided.