Hair Evidence: Human vs. Animal Forensic Science Hair Evidence: Human vs. Animal

Hair Evidence Many class characteristics can be determined; these characteristics can be used to eliminate suspects. Forensic scientists can determine whether the hair was forcibly removed, damaged by burning, or artificially treated by dyeing or bleaching. The region of the body where a hair originated can be determined with considerable accuracy by its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. In certain instances, a person’s race can be deduced from the hair.

Types of Human Hair Head hair Pubic hair Underarm hair Beard/mustache hair Eyebrow/eyelash General body hair Certain features of individual hairs identify the region of the body where it originated.

Where is this Hair from?

Where is this hair from?

Where is this hair from?

What is this?

therefore, head and pubic hairs are routinely forensically compared. Head hairs and pubic hairs exhibit a greater range of microscopic characteristics than other human hairs; therefore, head and pubic hairs are routinely forensically compared.

Hair Characteristics: Race Human hairs can be classified by racial origin such as: Caucasian (European origin) African-American (African origin) Mongoloid (Asian origin). In some instances, the racial characteristics exhibited are not clearly defined, indicating the hair may be of mixed-racial origin. Racial indicators apply primarily to head hairs.

Caucasian African-American Mongoloid See page 20 of your workbook!!!

Animal vs Human Hairs Look at: Pigmentation Medulla type Medullary Index Tip Cuticle