Microscopical Characterization of Known Postmortem Root Bands Using Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy

The document reports on a study that examined the microscopical properties of postmortem root bands (PMRBs), which are features believed to form in hair during the postmortem interval. The study used light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze hairs with PMRBs. The findings suggest that PMRBs may result from the degradation of the intermacrofibrillar matrix (IMM) in the pre-keratin/keratogenous region of anagen hairs, specifically within the cortex, without affecting the cuticle layers. This degradation leads to the appearance of PMRBs. The results of this research could help in understanding the formation mechanism of PMRBs and assist in distinguishing between PMRBs and hairs that have degraded due to environmental factors.