NCJ Number
52892
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 221-228
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A METHOD OF SEX DETERMINATION BY SEX-CHROMATIN IDENTIFICATION OF ROOT SHEATH NUCLEI FROM PULLED HAIR OF VARIOUS DEGREES OF CELL DESSICATION IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
TO ASSESS THE ACCURACY OF THE STANDARD ORCEIN SQUASH MODIFIED TECHNIQUES OF SEX DETERMINATION BY SEX-CHROMATIN IDENTIFICATION OF ROOT SHEATH NUCLEI FROM PULLED HAIR OF VARIOUS AGES, A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED USING 112 BLIND TRIALS AND 143 TRIALS WHERE THE SEX WAS KNOWN. SEX CHROMATINS ARE CONDENSED, INACTIVE X-CHROMOSOMES LINKED TO THE NUCLEAR ENVELOPE IN THE CELLS OF MOST TISSUES IN A NORMAL HUMAN FEMALE, BUT NOT IN MALES. ALTHOUGH THE FORENSIC VALUE OF THE TECHNIQUES HAS BEEN SHOWN, THE DESSICATION OF HAIR ROOT SHEATH CELLS BETWEEN THE TIME A HAIR IS PULLED AND WHEN IT IS EXAMINED RESTRICTS THE APPLICATION OF CLINICAL METHODS OF SEX DETERMINATION. THE INFLUENCE OF SUCH TIME DELAYS WAS ALSO INVESTIGATED. THE PREPARATION OF THE STAIN INVOLVES THE DISSOLVING OF SYNTHETIC ORCEIN IN HOT ACETIC ACID, AND THE SUBSEQUENT DILUTION WITH DISTILLED WATER. ONLY PULLED HAIR WHICH RETAINS THE OUTER SHEATH OF THE ROOT IS SUITABLE FOR SEX DETERMINATION. ALL SAMPLES WERE SOAKED IN SALINE SOLUTION AND EXAMINED UNDER A DISSECTING MICROSCOPE. THE EXAMINATION PROCESS INCLUDED THE WASHING OF THE SAMPLES IN METHANOL AND THEIR SEALING UNDER A COVERSLIP. THE PREPARATIONS WERE RATED FOR THE PERCENT OF SCORABLE NUCLEI WITH SEX CHROMATIN. EXAMINATION RESULTS FROM DIFFERENT PERSONNEL WERE ASSESSED FOR THEIR EFFORTS ON THE ACCURACY OF THE METHOD OF SEX DETERMINATION. THE FINAL RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE ORCEIN SQUASH TECHNIQUE IS ACCURATE, SIMPLE, AND RELIABLE AS A MEANS OF SEX DETERMINATION OF HUMAN SCALP HAIR. THE CONDITIONS WHICH ARE COMMON TO EXHIBIT MATERIAL SUBMITTED TO THE FORENSIC LABORATORY APPEAR TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON THE ACCURACY OF THE TEST. PRACTICE WITH A VARIETY OF STANDARDS AND PREPARATIONS IS BELIEVED TO BE REQUIRED FOR THE EXAMINER TO ACQUIRE EXPERTISE. IT IS FELT THAT PRIOR FREEZING OF THE HAIR AND PRIOR EMBEDDING IN A MOUNTING MEDIUM HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE ACCURACY OF THE TEST, AND THAT DENEGRATION OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL MAY BE ENHANCED UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WITHOUT CAUSING INCORRECT SEX DETERMINATIONS. GRAPHS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)