Forensic Examination Of Hair Samples Biology Lab Report Template printable pdf download

Forensic Examination Of Hair Samples Biology Lab Report Template

Forensics Lab

Name ________________________

Partner ______________________

Per ___ Due Date ______________

Forensic Examination of Hair Samples

I. Objectives

Hair is a common form of physical evidence that is associated with a variety of crimes. In this

laboratory activity, the structure of hair will be studied to determine whether or not the hair is

human or animal using various morphological characteristics as points of comparison.

II. Guide to the Identification of Hair Samples

Hair is not the best type of physical evidence for establishing identity. It is not possible to show

with any certainty that two hairs came from the same person or animal. This makes hair class

evidence. However, hair can be used to rule out certain suspects or scenarios. It can also be

used to corroborate (support) other physical evidence if it is consistent with the rest of the

evidence collected and observed at a crime scene.

There are several methods used to analyze hair samples. The simplest method of identification

is visual observation with the naked eye, which can indicate color, length, and amount of curl in

the hair. Hair samples can also be examined microscopically to reveal characteristics of its

physical structure. Hair is composed of three principal parts:

cuticle – outer coating composed of overlapping scales

medulla – central core, which may be absent

cortex – protein-rich structure surrounding the medulla; contains pigment

Cortex

Cuticle

Medulla

The structure of hair has been compared to that of a pencil with the medulla being the lead, the

cortex being the wood and the cuticle being the paint on the

outside.

L_05x01_Hair

Forensic Examination Of Hair Samples Biology Lab Report Template