Forensic Hair Morphology

1. Forensic Hair Morphology

2. HairThis is a human head hair of Caucasian origin. Caucasian hairs come in the widest variety of colors, can be of fine to medium coarseness and are generally straight or wavy. In addition, the shafts vary from round to oval in cross section. Finally, color pigments are fine- to medium-sized and are evenly distributed throughout the shaft.

3. This is a deer hair. Unlike that of any other animal, the root of deer hair has a wine-glass shape: a narrow root that gradually widens. In addition, the medulla, or inner layer of cells, consists of spherical cells that take up the whole width of the hair in a repeating pattern of different shapes, such as a hexagonal shape, depending on what member of the deer family the subject belongs to.

4. This is a human head hair of Afro-Caribbean origin. Such hairs are generally curly or kinky, and have a flattened cross section. Larger than those of other racial groups, its pigment particles are grouped in clumps of different sizes and shapes and may be so dense that they render the hair opaque. Furthermore, the hair shaft may vary — or seem to vary — in diameter because of its flattened nature and the way it settles on the microscope slide.

5. This is a cat hair. Cat hair has fibrous roots and its pigment particles do not run down to the root. In addition, its medulla, or inner layer of cells, is thicker than that of dog hair.

6. This is a human head hair of Asian origin. Such hair is generally coarse, straight and circular in cross section. Its diameter is wider than the hair of other racial groups, and the outer layer of the hair, the cuticle, is usually significantly thicker. The medulla, or inner layer of cells, is continuous and wide. In addition, the hair shaft contains pigment particles that are generally larger than those of Caucasian hairs, and often appear to be grouped in patchy areas. Finally, the hair may have a reddish appearance, a product of its pigment.

7. This is a dog hair. Dog hair has spade-like roots and its pigmentation runs down throughout the shaft to the root. Its medulla, or inner layer of cells, is thinner, too, than that of cat hair.

8. Examination of the Medulla

9. Patterns in Animal Species Examination of Scale Pattern

10. Human Hairs • Racial Determination Negroid Caucasian Mongoloid

11. Hair Roots Pulled Forcibly Removed Shed

12. Tip of the Shaft Burned Cut Razored split

13. Collection of Hair Specimen

14. All slides pictures and commentaries copied from a variety of sources