Forensic

Science

Hair Evidence:
Animal vs. Human

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 persons race can be
deduced from the hair.

Types of Human Hair

Certain
features of
individual
hairs identify
the region of
the body
where it
originated.

Head hair
Pubic hair
Underarm hair
Beard/mustache
hair
Eyebrow/eyelash
General body hair

Where is this Hair from?

Where is this hair from?

Where is this hair from?

What is this?

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

Human vs. Animal Hair

How do you tell the
difference?

Animal vs. Human

Hair:
Color
Human hairs are generally
consistent in color and
pigmentation throughout the
length of the hair shaft,
whereas animal hairs may
exhibit radical color changes in
a short distance, called
banding.

Human vs. Animal Hair:

Medullary Index
The medulla, when present in human
hairs, is generally less than one-third
the overall diameter of the hair
shaft. (MI = ??)
The medulla in animal hairs is
normally continuous or interrupted,
and it generally occupies an area of
greater than one-half the overall
diameter of the hair shaft. (MI = ??)

Human vs. Animal Hair:

Cuticle
Human hair is imbricate
(flattened)
Animal hair varies by species,
but can be spinuous or coronal,
as well as imbricate

Human vs. Animal Hair:

Tip
Scissor cut or razor cut implies
the hair has been groomed.
Many animals are not groomed
so if you see a scissor cut tip or
a razor cut tip it might be a clue
that the type of hair you are
looking at did not come from an
animal.

Do Explore
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