Title: Fiber
1Fiber Hair Analysis
2Hair Evidence
- Hair is composed primarily of the protein keratin
- Defined as slender outgrowths of the skin of
mammals - Each species of animal possesses hair with
characteristic length, color, shape, root
appearance, and internal microscopic features
that distinguish one animal from another
3- Variability exists in types of hairs found on
body of an animal - Humans
- Head, pubic region, arms, legs other body areas
have characteristics that can determine their
origin - Hair types include coarse outer hairs or guard
hairs (finer fur hairs, tactile hairs whiskers,
others that originate from tail mane)
4- Value of hair as evidence depends on
- Types of hair recovered
- Condition of hair
- of hairs found
- Comparison of microscopic characteristics of
questioned hairs to known hair samples helps
determine whether a transfer may have occurred
5Hair Morphology
- Hair is an appendage of the skin that grows out
of an organ known as the hair folicle - Grows from hair follicle
- Root is embedded in follicle
- Shaft has 3 parts
- Cuticle
- Cortex
- medulla
- Terminates at a tip end
6Anatomy of a Hair
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8Follicle
- Hair is an appendage of the skin that grows out
of a hair follicle.
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9The follicle contains more than enough cells for
simple DNA Analysis
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10Root
- The length of a hair extends from the root
embedded in the follicle.
- A single root contains sufficient DNA for analysis
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11Root
- The root and other surrounding cells in the hair
follicle provide the tools necessary to produce
hair and continue its growth. - When pulled from the head, some translucent
tissue surrounding the hairs shaft near the root
may be found. This is called a follicular tag. - By using DNA analysis on the follicular tag, the
hair may be individualized.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
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13Cuticle
- Is the outside covering of hair
- Gives hair resistance to chemical composition
stability (retaining features over a long period
of time - Formed by overlapping scales that always point
toward the tip end - Scale pattern is useful in species identification
but not a useful characteristic for
individualizing human hair - Variety of patterns formed by animal hair makes
it an important feature for species
identification
14- Human b) Dog c) Deer
- d) Rabbit e) cat f) Horse
15Cortex
- Main body of hair shaft
- The interior of the hair
- It is embedded with pigment granules that give
hair its color - Color, shape, distribution of the granules
provide important points of comparison
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17Pigment granules are absent in grey hairs
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18Medulla
- Group of cells having appearance of a central
canal running through a hair - Sometimes it is the predominant feature,
occupying more than ½ the diameter (varies by
species) - Medullary index is the diameter of medulla
relative to diameter of hair shaft - Humans is less than 1/3
- Other animals, value is ½ or greater
19- Presence appearance vary between individuals
among the hairs in a given individual - Medulla patterns
- Continuous
- Interrupted
- Fragmented
- Absent all together
- Human head hairs the medulla is usually absent
or fragmented rarely have continuous - Animal medulla is either continuous or
interrupted
20- Shape of medulla
- Cylindrical humans many animals
- Patterned shape other animals
- Ex. Medulla of cat resembles a string of pearls
- Ex. Deer medulla is spherical cells occupying the
entire hair shaft
CAT
DEER
21HUMAN
DOG
RABBIT
CAT
DEER
22Hair Growth
- Regions of the body that are primarily used in
forensic comparisons are the head pubic areas - As hairs undergo cyclical growth ( anagen)
resting phase (telogen), the visible microscopic
characteristics are sufficient to determine the
phase of growth of the hair
23- Anagen phase
- Hair actively growing
- Materials are deposited in hair shaft by cells
found in follicle - Metabolically active dividing cells above
around the dermal papilla of the follicle grow
upward during this phase to form medulla,
cortex, cuticle, root sheath - 80-90 of hairs
- Telogen phase
- Follicle is dormant or resting
- 10-18
- Catagen phase
- Transition period between anagen telogen
- 2
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25- Hairs routinely lost during telogen phase
become a primary source of evidentiary material - Hairs can also become dislodged from the body
while they are in an actively growing state
(anagen) - Microscope appearance of root area will allow for
the determination of growth phase
26- When pulled from the root, some anagen hairs will
have a follicular tag - Is a translucent piece of tissue surrounding the
hairs shaft near the root - Contains the richest source of DNA associated
w/hair
27Naturally shed hair - Displays undamaged, club
shaped roots
Forcibly removed hair - Will exhibit stretching
damage to root area
Forcibly removed hair w/tissue attached
28Comparing Strands
- The comparison microscope is an indispensable
tool for comparing the morphological
characteristics of hair. - When comparing strands of human hair, the
criminalist is particularly interested in
matching the color, length, and diameter. - A careful microscopic examination of hair will
reveal morphological features that can
distinguish human hair from the hair of animals. - Scale structure, medullary index, and medullary
shape are particularly important in animal hair
identification.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
29Comparing Strands
- Other important features for comparing human hair
are - the presence or absence of a medulla
- the distribution, shape, and color intensity of
the pigment granules present in the cortex - The most common request is to determine whether
or not hair recovered at the crime scene compares
to hair removed from the suspect. - However, microscopic hair examinations tend to be
subjective and highly dependant on the skills and
integrity of the analyst.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
30Questions
- Can the body area from which a hair originated be
determined? - Can the racial origin of hair be determined?
- Can the age and sex of an individual be
determined from a hair sample? - Is it possible to determine if a hair was
forcibly removed from the body? - Are efforts being made to individualize human
hair? - Can DNA individualize a human hair?
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
31Hair Microscopy
- Done w/light microscopy
- Is a 2 step process
- ID of questioned hairs
- Comparison of questioned known hairs
- Purpose
- To ascertain whether 2 or more individuals could
have come into contact w/an object - Particularly useful in crimes of violence
(homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault)
where physical contact may have occurred
32- Value of hair evidence
- Related to the variability of hair
characteristics between individuals in the
population - Factors that impact the reliability of a hair
assoication - Experience
- Training
- Suitability of known hair standards
- Adequacy of equipment
33Hair and DNA
- Recent major breakthroughs in DNA profiling have
extended this technology to the individualization
of human hair. - The probability of detecting DNA in hair roots is
more likely for hair being examined in its anagen
or early growth phase as opposed to its catagen
(middle) or telogen (final) phases. - Often, when hair is forcibly removed a follicular
tag, a translucent piece of tissue surrounding
the hairs shaft near the root may be present. - This has proven to be a rich source of nuclear
DNA associated with hair.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
34Hair and Mitochondrial DNA
- Mitochondrial DNA can be extracted from the hair
shaft. - Mitochondrial DNA is found in cellular material
located outside of the nucleus and it is
transmitted only from the mother to child. - As a rule, all positive microscopical hair
comparisons must be confirmed by DNA analysis.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
35Collection and Preservation
- As a general rule, forensic hair comparisons
involve either head hair or pubic hair. - The collection of 50 full-length hairs from all
areas of the scalp will normally ensure a
representative sampling of head hair. - A minimum collection of two dozen full-length
pubic hairs should cover the range of
characteristics present in pubic hair. - Hair samples are also collected from the victims
of suspicious deaths during an autopsy.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
36Steps in Hair Examination Process
- Determine if hair in question is from animal or
human - If from animal
- Identify the type of animal (species, not
specific animal)
37Animal Hairs
- Hairs can vary greatly in color length on
different areas of the body therefore, you
should collect reference samples from each area - Samples should contain
- Full length hairs
- Combings pluckings
- If animal isnt available for collection, a brush
or comb used on that animal may be substituted
38- Animal hairs found at scene or on clothing may
have come from a fur coat or pelt - Since these are usually artificially dyed dont
have a root, its preferred that entire garment
be obtained for suitable samples
39Human Hairs
- An individual sheds approximately 100 head hairs
each day - Body area determination
- Characteristics used
- Length, shape, size, color, stiffness, curliness,
microscopic appearance, pigmentation, medullar
appearance - Hairs that exhibit microscopic characteristics
shared by different anatomical areas are called
body hairs - Include hair on upper legs, lower abdomen, and
back
- Head pubic hairs are used most for forensic
work because there is a wide range of
interpersonal variation in these types of hair
40Head hairs
- Longest hairs on human body
- Have uniform diameter and, often, a cut tip
- Are subject to more alteration than hairs from
other body areas
41Razor-cut hair
Hair w/cut tip
Split hair
42- Alterations to natural appearance include
- Dyes, rinses, permanents, frosts
- Environmental alterations
- Excessive sunlight, wind, dryness
- Because of potential for alteration, it is
recommended that head hair samples be obtained as
soon as possible from suspects victims of crime - Samples obtained years after a crime are
generally not suitable for meaningful comparison
purposes
43- Known samples
- Need a random sampling of hair from different
areas of scalp - of hairs required vary
- General rule is to obtain at least 25 full-length
hairs, which includes both plucked combed,
packaged separately
44Pubic Hairs
- Not subject to as much change as head hairs over
time - Therefore, a sample taken a year or more after a
crime may still be suitable for a meaningful
comparison - Its recommended that known samples be collected
ASAP - Samples should contain at least 25 full-length
hairs taken from different areas of the pubic
region
45- Characteristics
- Course wiry in appearance
- Considerable diameter variation or buckling
(twisting of hair shaft) - Often have a continuous to discontinuous medulla
- Tapered tips are common, but these hairs may also
be abraded or cut
46Hair showing buckling
47Facial Hairs
- More commonly called beard or mustache hairs
- Characteristics
- Coarse in appearance
- Have a triangular cross section
- Heavy shouldering or troughs are observed under
magnification - Wide medulla
- Razor cut tip
48- Significance of association of facial hairs may
not be as great as head pubic hair associations
49Limb Hairs
- Hairs from legs arms
- Characteristics
- Shorter in length, arc-like shape, often abraded
or tapered at tips, pigment is generally granular
in appearance, medulla is trace to discontinuous - Not routinely compared in forensic lab
- There are differences b/t individuals, but
theyre not considered sufficient to allow limb
hairs to be of value for meaningful comparison
50Fringe Hairs
- Hair originating from areas of the body outside
those specifically designated as head or pubic - Not suitable for significant comparison purposes
- Examples
- Neck, sideburns, abdomen, upper leg back
51Other body area hairs
- Not routinely compared
- Presence may help corroborate information
obtained during an investigation (just like limb
fringe hairs) - Examples
- Axillary (underarm), chest, eye, nose
52Racial Determination
- Head hairs are best for determining race
- Head hair from infants can be difficult to
analyze - Also, hairs from individuals of mixed racial
ancestry may possess microscopic characteristic
attributed to more than one racial group
53- Caucasoid (European)
- Fine to medium courseness
- Generally straight or wavy in appearance
- Colors range from blonde to brown to black
- Hair shafts vary from round to oval in cross
section - Have fine to medium sized, evenly distributed
pigment granules
54- Mongoloid (Asian)
- Regularly coarse
- straight
- circular in x-section
- Wider diameter than other racial groups
- Cuticle is usually significantly thicker than
that of Negroid or Caucasian hairs - Medulla is continuous wide
- Cortex contains pigment granules that are
generally larger in size compared to Caucasian
hairs - Have characteristic red appearance
55- Negroid (African)
- Regularly curly or kinky
- Flattened x-section
- Can appear as curly, wavy or coiled
- Pigment granules are larger than those in
Mongoloid Caucasian - Pigments are grouped in clumps of different
shapes sizes - Density of pigment in cortex may be so great as
to make hair opaque - Shaft has variation or apparent variation in
diameter - Buckling can be present
- Hair shaft frequently splits along the lenght
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57Age Sex
- Age of individual cannot be determined
definitively by microscopic examination of hair - However, appearance of certain hairs, such as
those of infants elderly individuals, may
provide a general age - How?
- Infant hair is generally finer less distinctive
in appearance - As one ages, hair can undergo pigment loss
changes in configuration of hair shaft to become
much finer more vaiable in diameter
58- Sex of individual is difficult to determine
- However, longer treated hairs are more frequently
encountered in females - If hair is forcibly remove, sex can be determined
using follicular tag
59Treatment Removal
- Presence of dyes or rinses can be identified
through microscopic examination of hair - Head hairs grow at the rate of 1cm/month
- Approximate time of treatment can be determined
by measuring the length of untreated area - Direct, side-by-side comparison of color of
question known artifically treated hairs is
typically conducted by hair examiner
60Biological or Environmental Alterations
- When hairs originated from a body in a state of
decomposition, a dark band may appear near the
root of the hair - Called postmortem root band
61Conclusions
- Several possible conclusions which can be reached
from examination comparison of human hair - Questioned hair exhibits same microscopic
characteristics as know hair is consistent
w/originating from source of known hairs - Questioned hair is microscopically dissimilar to
hairs found in known sample cannot be
associated to the source of known hairs - Similarities slight differences were observed
b/t questioned hair known hair sample. No
conclusion could be reached as to whether the
questioned hair originated from same source as
known hairs
62- When a hair exhibits same microscopic
characteristics as hairs in known sample, a
qualifying statement may be added - Hair comparisons are not a basis for absolute
personal identification. It sould be noted,
however, that because it is unusual to find hairs
from 2 different individuals that exhibit the
same microscopic characteristics, a microscopic
association or match is the basis for a strong
association
63Significance of Hair Evidence
- Depends on method of collection
- Processing techniques used
- Methodology of hair examination
- Experience of hair examiner
- Head pubic hairs are generally viewed as more
significant than hairs from other body areas
64- Certain case situations affect significance of
identifying hairs - When a family member possibly involved in crime
- Location, , condition (forcibly pulled or burnt)
- Involvement of victims associates
- Dates, coworkers, other people who may have
logical contact w/or access to victim /or crime
scene - Situations involving strangers have greatest
significance
65Hair affected by burning
66Textile fibers
- Can place a suspect at the crime scene
- Fibers can be exchanged between 2 individuals,
between an individual an object, between 2
objects
67Importance of fiber matched to a crime scene
- When fibers are matched w/specific source, a
value is placed on that association - Value is dependent on
- type of fiber
- Location of fibers at crime scene or on victim
- of different fibers at crime scene
- of different fibers on the victim that match
clothing of suspect
68Fiber Evidence
- Fiber smallest unit of textile
- Length much greater than diameter
- Can be naturally occurring or synthetic
- Can be spun w/other fibers to form a yarn that
can be woven or knitted to form a fabric
69Fiber Evidence
- The quality of the fiber evidence depends on the
ability of the criminalist to identify the origin
of the fiber or at least be able to narrow the
possibilities to a limited number of sources. - Obviously, if the examiner is presented with
fabrics that can be exactly fitted together at
their torn edges, it is a virtual certainty that
the fabrics were of common origin.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
70Fiber Evidence
- Microscopic comparisons between questioned and
standard/reference fibers are initially
undertaken for color and diameter
characteristics, using a comparison microscope. - Other morphological features that could be
important in comparing fibers are - Lengthwise striations on the surface of the fiber
- The presence of delustering particles that reduce
shine - The cross-sectional shape of the fiber
- Compositional differences may exist in the dyes
that were applied to the fibers during the
manufacturing process.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
71Transfer of Fiber
- Factors affecting transfer of fiber
- Type of fiber
- Length
- Type of spinning method
- Type of fabric construction
- Can be transferred from
- Clothing
- Carpets
- Bed
- Furniture
72- Can be transferred directly (primary) or
indirectly (secondary) - primary occurs when a fiber is transferred from a
fabric directly onto a victims clothing - Secondary occurs when already transferred fibers
on clothing of suspect transfer to clothing of a
victim
73Contact doesnt always transfer fibers
- Certain fabrics do not shed well (donor garment)
- Some fabrics dont retain fibers well (recipient
garments) - Factors affecting retention
- Construction composition of fabric
- Duration force of contact
- Condition of garment w/regard to damage
74Methods For Fiber Comparison
- The visible light microspectrophotometer is a
convenient way for analysts to compare the colors
of fibers through spectral patterns. - A more detailed analysis of the fibers dye
composition can be obtained through a
chromatographic separation. - Infrared spectrophotometry is a rapid and
reliable method for identifying the generic class
of fibers, as does the polarizing microscope. - Depending on the class of fiber, each polarized
plane of light will have a characteristic index
of refraction.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
75Collection and Preservation
- The investigators task of looking for minute
strands of fibers often becomes one of
identifying and preserving potential carriers
of fiber evidence. - Relevant articles of clothing should be packaged
carefully in separate paper bags. - If it is necessary to remove a fiber from an
object, the investigator must use clean forceps,
place it in a small sheet of paper, fold and
label the paper, and place the paper packet
inside another container.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
76Types of Fibers
- Natural fibers are derived in whole from animal
or plant sources. - Examples wool, mohair, cashmere, furs, and
cotton. - Man-made fibers are manufactured.
- Regenerated fibers are manufactured from natural
raw materials and include rayon, acetate, and
triacetate. - Synthetic fibers are produced solely from
synthetic chemicals and include nylons,
polyesters, and acrylics. - Polymers, or macromolecules, are synthetic fibers
composed of a large number of atoms arranged in
repeating units known as monomers.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
77Natural Fibers
- Originate from plants or animals
- Common plant fibers
- Cotton, flax (linen), ramie, rayon, sisal, jute,
hemp, kapok (silky-cotton like substance), coir
(coconut fibers) - Common animal Fibers
- Wool (usually from sheep), camel, alpaca,
cashmere, mohair - End use of sheeps wool dictates fineness or
coarseness of fibers - Finer fibers used in clothing
- Coarser fibers found in carpet
- Fiber diameter degree of scale protrusion are
important characteristics
78Cotton fibers
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80Wool fibers
81Flax fibers Ramie fibers
82Kapok fibers Hemp fibers
83Cotton- Hemp Blend
84Synthetic Fibers
- More than ½ of all fibers used in production of
textile materials are synthetic - Polyester, nylon, acrylics,acetates
- Some originate from natural materials such as
cotton or wood - Amount of production of particular synthetic
fiber its use influence the degree of rarity of
a given fiber
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86- Shape of synthetic fiber can determine the value
placed on the fiber
87Cross section of synthetic fibers
88Cross section of different nylon fibers
89Fiber Color
- Influences value given to a particular fiber
identification - Often several dyes are used to give a fiber a
desired color - Individual fibers can be colored prior to being
spun into yarn - Yarns can be dyed , fabrics made from them can
be dyed
90- Color can be applied to surface of fabric as in
printed fabrics - How color is applied absorbed along length of
fiber are important comparison charateristics - Color-fading discoloration can also lend
increased value to a fiber association
91Fiber Number Location
- of fibers on clothing of a victim identified as
matching clothing of suspect is important in
determining actual contact - Greater the of fibers, the more likely that
contact actually occurred - Location of fibers on different areas of body or
on specific items at scene influences the
significance of the fiber association
92Fabric Type
- How fabric is constructed affects the types
of fibers that may be transferred during contact - Tightly woven or knitted fabrics shed less than
loosely knit or woven fabrics - Fabrics composed of filament yarns shed less than
fabrics composed of spun yarns. - Age of fabric affects degree of transfer
- Newer fabrics may shed more readily because of an
abundance of loosely adhering fibers on surface - Worn fabrics may have damaged areas that easily
shed fibers - Damage to fabric caused during physical contact
greatly increases the likelihood of fiber
transfer
93Fabric Source Determination
- It is not possible to say positively that a fiber
originated from a particular fabric - inability to positively associate a fiber w/a
source in no way diminishes the significance of a
fiber association
94- Its very helpful to know frequency of occurrence
f a particular fabric fiber, or how many
fabrics w/a particular fiber type color exist,
as well as who owns them - If manufacture is known, possibility exists that
of fabric units produced could also be obtained
95- Once a particular fiber of a certain type, shape,
color is produced becomes part of a fabric,
it occupies an extremely small portion of the
fiber/fabric composition - Exception white cotton blue cotton fibers
(blue jeans)
96Fiber Transfer Persistence
- Depends on type of fabric, nature duration of
contact - Transferred fibers are usually lost rather
quickly depends on type of fabric movement
after contact - Clothing of homicide victim would tend to retain
transferred fiber for a longer period because
victim is not moving
97- EMS, medical examiners investigators must
handle victims clothing carefully to minimize
fiber loss - Fibers will be lost is if victim/suspect moves
about, brush the clothing or wash it
98- Nature of contact
- Can determine the of fibers transferred value
placed on their discovery - Violent physical contact of an extended duration
will very often result in numerous fiber
transfers - Multiple fiber associations
- Multiple fiber types found on different items of
clothing or fabric from suspect, victim, or scene
greatly increase the likelihood that contact
occurred between those individuals the scene - Each associated fiber is considered to be an
independent event - Multiple associations undermine a coincidence
defense
99Fiber Evidence Assigning Significance
- Matching dyed synthetic fibers or dyed natural
fibers can be very meaningful - Whereas, matching of common fibers, such as white
cotton or blue denim cotton would be less
significant - Discovery of cross transfers multiple fiber
transfers between suspects clothing victims
clothing dramatically increasesthe likelihood
that these 2 individuals had physical contact
100- When a fiber examiner matches a questions fiber
to a know item of clothing, there are only two
possible explanations - Fiber actually originated from the item of
clothing - Fiber did not originate from the item of clothing
101- In order to say that the fiber originated from
the item of clothing - the clothing either had to be the only fabric of
its type ever produced or still remaining on
earth - Or the transfer of biers was directly observed
- therefore, fibers examiners will conclude
that the fibers could have originated from the
clothing or that the fibers are consistent
with originating from the clothing
102- Only way to say that a fiber did not originate
from a particular item of clothing is to know the
actual history of the garment or to have actually
observed the fiber transfer from another garment
103Paint
- Paint spread onto a surface will dry into a hard
film that can best be described as consisting of
pigments and additives suspended in the binder. - One of the most common types of paint examined in
the crime laboratory involves finishes emanating
from automobiles. - Automobile manufacturers normally apply a variety
of coatings to the body of an automobile. - These coatings may include electrocoat primer,
primer surfacer, basecoat, and clearcoat.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
104Methods For Paint Comparison
- The wide diversity of automotive paint
contributes to the forensic significance of an
automobile paint comparison. - Questioned and known specimens are best compared
side by side under a stereoscopic microscope for
color, surface texture, and color layer sequence.
- Pyrolysis gas chromatography and infrared
spectrophotometry are invaluable techniques for
distinguishing most paint binder formulations,
adding further significance to a forensic paint
comparison. - Crime laboratories are often asked to identify
the make and model of a car from a small amount
of paint and will make use of color charts for
automobile finishes.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
105Collection and Preservation
- Paint chips are most likely found on or near
persons or objects involved in hit-and-run
incidents. - Paper druggist folds and glass or plastic vials
make excellent containers for paint. - Paint smeared or embedded in garments or objects
require the whole item to be packaged and sent to
the laboratory. - Uncontaminated standard/reference paint must
always be collected. - Tools used to gain entry into buildings or safes
often contain traces of paint, requiring the tool
be collected, along with reference paint samples.
HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT