Hairs & Fibers Forensic Science http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/PMX0706FORENSICSHairSmall.jpg Presentation developed by T. Trimpe 2006 http://sciencespot.net/

Biology of Hair Hair is composed of the protein keratin, which is also the primary component of finger and toe nails. Hair is produced from a structure called the hair follicle. Humans develop hair follicles during fetal development, and no new follicles are produced after birth. . Hair color is mostly the result of pigments, which are chemical compounds that reflect certain wavelengths of visible light. In order to test hair evidence for DNA, the root must be present. Sources: http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/lesson.htm#t_hair & http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/july2000/deedric1.htm#Index%20(Hairs)

Biology of Hair Hair shape (round or oval) and texture (curly or straight) is influenced heavily by genes. The physical appearance of hair can be affected by nutritional status and intentional alteration (heat curling, perms, straightening, etc.) The body area (head, arm, leg, back, etc.) from which a hair originated can be determined by the sample’s length, shape, size, color, and other physical characteristics. Hair serves the function of protection of skin and reduction of friction

The 3 Phases of Hair Growth Anagen phase – initial growth where the follicle actively produces hair. 6 years Catagen Phase – a transition phase where the root bulb starts getting pushed out of the follicle: lasts 3 weeks. Telogen phase – the dying phase of pushing the hair out of the follicle and the hair is shed. Lasts 6 weeks Then the cycle starts again if the follicle is healthy. Sheading hair is natural.

Hair Growth Phases

Anatomy of a Hair bsapp.com

Follicle Hair is an appendage of the skin that grows out of a hair follicle. bsapp.com

The follicle contains more than enough cells for simple DNA Analysis The follicle contains more than enough cells for simple DNA Analysis. This is a follicular tag. bsapp.com

A single root contains sufficient DNA for analysis The length of a hair extends from the root embedded in the follicle. A single root contains sufficient DNA for analysis bsapp.com

Hair Structure Hair is composed of three principal parts: Cuticle – outer coating composed of overlapping scales Cortex – protein-rich structure around the medulla that contains pigment Medulla – central core (may be absent) The structure of hair has been compared to that of a pencil with the medulla being the lead, the cortex being the wood and the cuticle being the paint on the outside. http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/lesson.htm#t_hair

Hair Structure Cuticle The outside covering. The cuticle varies in: Its scales, How many there are per centimeter, How much they overlap, Their overall shape, and How much they protrude from the surface Its thickness, and Whether or not it contains pigment. Characteristics of the cuticle may be important in distinguishing between hairs of different species but are often not useful in distinguishing between different people. Info: http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/lesson.htm#t_hair Image: http://www.hairdressersus.com/micro/Image5b.jpg

Hair Cuticle Scales These scales are formed from special cells that are hardened and flattened while progressing from the follicle. They form the same surface as your fingernails bsapp.com

Hair Structure Cortex surrounding around the medulla (middle layer) The cortex varies in: Thickness Texture Color Distribution of the cortex is perhaps the most important component in determining from which individual a human hair may have come. This is the layer of the natural color of the hair. Microscopic examination can also reveal the condition and shape of the root and tip. Info: http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/lesson.htm#t_hair Image: http://www.extrapersonality.com/hair.html

Cortex Colors

Hair Structure Medulla - The center of the hair The medulla may vary in: Thickness Continuity - one continuous structure or broken into pieces Opacity - how much light is able to pass through it It may also be absent in some species. Like the cuticle, the medulla can be important for distinguishing between hairs of different species, but often does not lend much important information to the differentiation between hairs from different people. http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/lesson.htm#t_hair http://www.bfro.net/images/whatis/figures/Fig.%203%20with%20caption.jpg

Pigment granules are absent in grey hairs bsapp.com

Medulla a collection of cells which appears as a canal running though the center of the hair the medulla is the most predominant hair feature in many species bsapp.com

Types of Medulla: Continuous-Interrupted-Fragmented . Serial medulla is the term used to a describe multiple medulla within a single hair bsapp.com

Types of Medulla

Medullary Index The medullary index is an estimate of the width of the hair taken up by the medulla; it is usually expressed as a fraction. The index generally has a value less than 1/3 for humans; for most other animals the value is 1/2 or greater.

Medulla: bsapp.com

Forensics Can Differentiate the Species of the Hair The well trained forensic microscope technician can easily tell if a trace evidence hair at a crime scene belongs to a human or a rat, cat or bear! Take a look at the following slides and see how different they are !!

Human Hairs bsapp.com

Horse Hair bsapp.com

Dog Hair bsapp.com

Cat Hair bsapp.com

Mouse Hair bsapp.com

Rabbit Hair bsapp.com

Deer Hair bsapp.com

Cow Hair bsapp.com

Special Conditions of Hair The following slides show the ends of several different species of hairs bsapp.com

Natural Tip bsapp.com

Fallen Out Hairs bsapp.com

Pulled Out-By the Root bsapp.com

Broken-Torn bsapp.com

Cut Hair bsapp.com

Fiber Evidence A fiber is the smallest unit of a textile material that has a length many times greater than its diameter. A fiber can be spun with other fibers to form a yarn that can be woven or knitted to form a fabric. The type and length of fiber used, the type of spinning method, and the type of fabric construction all affect the transfer of fibers and the significance of fiber associations. This becomes very important when there is a possibility of fiber transfer between a suspect and a victim during the commission of a crime. Matching unique fibers on the clothing of a victim to fibers on a suspect’s clothing can be very helpful to an investigation, whereas the matching of common fibers such as white cotton or blue denim fibers would be less helpful. The discovery of cross transfers and multiple fiber transfers between the suspect's clothing and the victim's clothing dramatically increases the likelihood that these two individuals had physical contact. http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/july2000/deedric3.htm#Fiber%20Evidence

Natural Fibers Many different natural fibers that come from plants and animals are used in the production of fabric. Cotton fibers are the plant fibers most commonly used in textile materials The animal fiber most frequently used in the production of textile materials is wool, and the most common wool fibers originate from sheep. http://www.fireflydiapers.com/articles/diaperarticle_naturalfibersabsorb.htm

Synthetic Fibers More than half of all fibers used in the production of textile materials are synthetic or man-made. Nylon, rayon, and polyester are all examples of synthetic fibers. Fibers under a microscope Cross-section of a man-made fiber Images: http://www.trashforteaching.org/phpstore/product_images/YarnWS.JPG http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/july2000/deedric3.htm#Fiber%20Evidence http://www.jivepuppi.com/images/fiber_evidence.jpg

Synthetic Fibers Synthetic (man made) fibers are made by collecting small molecules call monomers (single functional molecule) and connecting them together to make polymers (many molecules connected chemically). This is the realm of Organic Chemistry.

Polymer Science Polymers can be natural like cellulose and rubber. LINK Synthetic Polymers are man made molecules like nylon, rayon and all plastics. It is used in clothing, carpets… try to think of all plastics in your world…..

It’s time to examine some hairs and fibers! http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/polarized/gallery/images/humansmall.jpg

Can you identify the animal hairs shown? B C D G E F H I Teacher Note: I challenge students to identify each hair sample pictured on this slide as they examine the sets of animal hairs I have prepared for them. An observation worksheet is available on my website which requires students to draw an image of what they see and add a description that highlights unique characteristics of each specimen. A key for the animal hairs is available on the next to last slide of this presentation! Think About It … In which samples are we viewing the cuticle? How do they compare? (2) In which samples are we viewing the medulla? How do they compare? (3) What characteristics can be used to identify hair samples?

Can you identify the types of fibers shown? Teacher Note: I challenge students to identify each fiber sample pictured on this slide as they examine the sets of fibers I have prepared for them. An observation worksheet is available on my website which requires students to draw an image of what they see and add a description that highlights unique characteristics. A key for the fibers is available on the last slide of this presentation! Think About It … Which samples are natural fibers? (2) Which samples are synthetic fibers? (3) What characteristics can be used to identify fiber samples?

Answer Keys http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/polarized/gallery/images/humansmall.jpg

Types of Animal Hairs - Key Cat Horse Pig Human A B C D G E F H I Deer Dog Rabbit Rat Human

A B C D E F Types of Fibers - Key Acrylic Yarn Cotton Yarn Nylon Rope Polyester Yarn Rayon Rope Wool Yarn

Hair & Fiber Identification Lab Directions: Your team will need to use a microscope to document all the hairs and fibers in your set. Write the name of the hair or fiber on the line and then draw what you see under medium or high power. Be sure to indicate the power of magnification! Add a description that highlights the unique characteristics of each hair and fiber sample. Pay attention to details to help you identify samples during the Hair & Fiber Challenge activity.