NCJ Number
187165
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 15-20
Date Published
January 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In order to better characterize the morphologic appearance of postmortem hair proximal end changes and to determine whether observing such changes may be helpful in estimating postmortem interval, this study reviewed hair samples from selected autopsy cases with known postmortem intervals.
Abstract
Only two types of human hair roots (proximal ends) derived from decomposing scalps are reported in the literature. The most common representation of the putrid root includes a postmortem dark root band in published photomicrographs. In the current study, 22 cases were reviewed in which there was reliable time of death documentation from medical investigator reports. A review of these cases found that the most common putrid hair proximal end change did not contain the postmortem root band. Four primary types of hair proximal end postmortem change were identified. Postmortem banding, which may appear proximal or distal, is infrequently seen, possibly because it occurs only in late anagen/early catagen, or late catagen stage hair roots. Much more common are the hard keratin points and brush-like ends, both of which most likely result from complete decomposition of the soft anagen hair root/stem elements that are just below the hard (permanent) keratinous shaft. The hard keratin point form is usually associated with advanced moist scalp decomposition, and the brush-like form is usually associated with advanced dry scalp decomposition. One scalp can have both moist and dry areas. Although postmortem hair proximal end morphologic changes appear to be relatively specific for the decomposition process, the timing of their appearance does not appear to be helpful in determining postmortem interval. 1 table, 3 figures, and 10 references