Hair: Microscopic Analysis
April 2009
in “
Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science
”
TLDR Microscopic hair analysis helps identify species and sometimes individuals in forensic science.
The document discussed the microscopic analysis of hair, emphasizing its significance in forensic science. It highlighted that humans lose 100-150 scalp hairs daily, making hair a common piece of evidence at crime scenes. The study explained that human and nonhuman hairs are distinguishable under a microscope, allowing for the identification of the species and sometimes the individual. The variability of human hair within and between individuals was noted as a challenge for forensic examiners. The article also covered the integration of microscopic examination with DNA testing and evaluated the reliability of hair as forensic evidence.