Hair & Fibers

1. Hair & Fibers

2. How hair and fibers help police identify individuals… • Examinations can associate a hair to a person on the basis of microscopic characteristics in the hair. • The characteristics in the hair, but cannot provide absolute personal identification.

3. Some information that hair can provide.. • Hair examinations can determine whether hairs are human or animal. • Also the race, body area, method of removal damage, and alternation.

4. Police are unable to provide.. • An absolute personal identification.

5. The different types of fibers are.. • Wool • Cotton • Glass

6. The main characteristics used in analysis of a fiber.. • Some of the main things that Forensic Scientists would look for in a fiber at a crime scene: • Texture • Shape pattern • Color • Cross sectional appearance • Surface Characteristics (cuticle)

7. The color of a fiber is the most important characteristic because.. • Color can influence the value given to a particular fiber. • Often several dyes are used to give a fiber a desired color. • Individual fibers can be colored prior to being spun into yarns

8. Most fiber comparisons are conducted by.. • fiber examinations involve a comparison of samples from known and questioned sources. • It determines whether they are consistent with having originated from the same source