The Medicolegal Examination of Hairs
TLDR Hair analysis can offer clues about a person, but individual differences limit making precise identifications.
The document by Dr. Benjamin M. Vance focuses on the role of hair examination in forensic investigations, detailing the methods used to analyze hairs such as identification, measurement, and microscopic examination of different parts of the hair. It discusses the ability to differentiate between human and animal hairs and suggests that certain characteristics can potentially reveal an individual's race, sex, and age. However, the document warns of the limitations due to natural variability among individuals and recommends using cross-sections and comparison microscopes to improve the reliability of hair analysis. The conclusion emphasizes that while hair can provide some information about a person, the significant variation among individuals can make definitive determinations challenging.
