Category
Basic
Description
This research aims to determine whether animal hair characteristics can reliably differentiate various animal species, a study with potential forensic applications. Both human hair and animal hair are comprised of three key components: the cuticle (the outer coating composed of overlapping scales), the cortex (protein-rich structure that surrounds the medulla and contains pigments) and the medulla (the central core, which may be absent). The goal of this research project is to document data collected from microscopic analysis of a variety of non-domesticated animal hair/fur samples, such as bear, skunk, or wolf, to determine detailed similar and different characteristics between them on the microscopic level. The research utilizes a compound microscope, polarizing microscope, and comparison microscope to make observations about the hair. The data collected includes hair type, color, and texture, as well as the presence of any ovoid bodies, medullary pattern, structure, and margin. Cuticle data is also collected such as the position of the cuticle in relation to longitudinal direction of the hair, cuticle pattern and margin, and the distance between cuticle margins. The primary hypothesis is that distinct medullary patterns, structures, margins, cuticle patterns, among other characteristics in fur and guard hairs can serve as species identifiers. Research conducted thus far, as it is an ongoing research project, has deemed that non-domestic animal hair is diverse enough when this data is studied to be considered class evidence that can be used in an exclusionary manner. This type of research has significance for wildlife forensics as well as the trace evidence discipline if/when such evidence is found at a crime scene, on a suspect, or on a victim that can link them together.
Various Animal Species Microscopic Hair Analysis
Basic
This research aims to determine whether animal hair characteristics can reliably differentiate various animal species, a study with potential forensic applications. Both human hair and animal hair are comprised of three key components: the cuticle (the outer coating composed of overlapping scales), the cortex (protein-rich structure that surrounds the medulla and contains pigments) and the medulla (the central core, which may be absent). The goal of this research project is to document data collected from microscopic analysis of a variety of non-domesticated animal hair/fur samples, such as bear, skunk, or wolf, to determine detailed similar and different characteristics between them on the microscopic level. The research utilizes a compound microscope, polarizing microscope, and comparison microscope to make observations about the hair. The data collected includes hair type, color, and texture, as well as the presence of any ovoid bodies, medullary pattern, structure, and margin. Cuticle data is also collected such as the position of the cuticle in relation to longitudinal direction of the hair, cuticle pattern and margin, and the distance between cuticle margins. The primary hypothesis is that distinct medullary patterns, structures, margins, cuticle patterns, among other characteristics in fur and guard hairs can serve as species identifiers. Research conducted thus far, as it is an ongoing research project, has deemed that non-domestic animal hair is diverse enough when this data is studied to be considered class evidence that can be used in an exclusionary manner. This type of research has significance for wildlife forensics as well as the trace evidence discipline if/when such evidence is found at a crime scene, on a suspect, or on a victim that can link them together.
