Chapter 8 Hairs & Fibers
Hair Appendage of the skin Grows from hair follicle Color & structure are important forensic features Composed of 3 layers
Hair Shaft Layers Cortex Cuticle Medulla
Cuticle Outside covering Made of scales Different species different scale patterns
Cortex Main body of hair Contains pigments that give hair its color
Medulla Central canal Varies in thickness (by species) Not present in all hairs
Types of Medullas Continuous: Interrupted: Fragmented: Absent
Hair Growth Occurs at root Grows at a rate of 1 cm/month 3 phases: Anagen Catagen Telogen
Anagen Phase Initial growth (lasts 2 – 8 years) Follicle is actively making hair Root bulb flame shaped **Follicular Tag Clear tissue around hair (near root) BEST source of DNA
Catagen Phase Growth slows Follicle breaks down Root bulb shrinks Lasts 2 – 4 weeks
Telogen Phase Resting phase Growth stops Hair falls out Root bulb club shaped No more than 10% of follicles are in telogen at any time!!
Identification of Hair Determine whether it’s human or animal Scale Structure Medulla Shape Medullary Index **Problem Hairs can vary from one to the next in the same individual** Help make an ID
Comparison of Hair View hairs with comparison microscope Need standard/reference samples to compare the evidence to 50 head 24 pubic Color, length, & diameter must match
Hair Evidence CAN Determine … Place of body origin head, beard, pubic Race but only sometimes Hair Evidence CANNOT Determine … Age or sex of an individual
Special Note Hair is an important piece of evidence, BUT is only 100% when DNA is analyzed!!!
Fibers Can be natural or man-made Important in homicides, assaults, & sexual offenses (Cross-transfer) BUT mass production of fabrics has evidential value
Natural Fibers Come from animal or plant sources Wool Sheep Cashmere Goat Mink Cotton Plant Twisted, ribbon-like shape Animal
Cotton Wool
Flax Fibers Viewed with Polarized Light
Man-made Fibers Rayon (1911) Nylon (1939) Polyester Acrylics Spandex Synthetic
Rayon Nylon
Identification of Fibers Try to trace their origin Examine color & diameter with comparison microscope Look for striations & cross-sectional shape Determine dye composition
Cross-section of Man-made Fibers SEM Cross-section Cross-section of Man-made Fibers SEM Cross-section of Nylon Carpet Fibers
Collection & Preservation Remove fibers with clean forceps Package articles of clothing separately Use adhesive tape lifts on carpet, rugs, & bedding