HAIR AND TEXTILE FIBER

Hair examination is one of the oldest forms of physical evidence. Its use is older than
fingerprints. It is valuable because the hair of each kind of animal is different and distinct for all
others. Like fiber, it is mostly likely to be involved in contact between the victim and the suspect.
Most crimes cause contact between one person and another and there may be transfer of fibers
and hairs from the victim to the criminal and vice versa. The successful investigation of crimes
of violence such as rape, murder, assault, kidnapping, hit and run, etc. are frequently materially
assisted by the result of the examination of the hairs and fibers. Hairs are very resistant to
decomposition and putrefaction thus they often remain as a means of identification long after
others such as facial and fingerprints have been destroyed.
The work of Glaiser Hussman and others has made relatively simple and quite positive
the identification of hair as to species. In the negative sense, human hair may often be definitely
shown not have come from a particular individual. The obvious difference in color, length and
texture can distinguish one hair from another and served to eliminate a suspect. The use of hair
as a means of positive identification is more uncertain and indeed no expert in his right
mind/senses will venture to give a definite statement as to individual origin of hair.
COLLECTION, PACKING, PRESERVATION AND TRANSPORTATION OF HAIR
1. All of the hair in the questioned specimens should be submitted but do not mix hairs at
different places.
2. In vicious assault and murder cases, obtain the clothing of the victim from the hospital or
morgue to avoid the loss of evidence by careless handling and to prevent the clothing from being
destroyed.
3. Representative samples of hair from the victim as well as the suspect should be obtained if
possible. To be a representative head hair samples from a particular individual it should of at
least a dozen hairs from different areas of the scalp and preferably full-length hair.
4. Don’t mix known samples of hair from different parts of the body.
5. The hairs should be placed in a folded paper or in a white mailing envelope, but the corners of
the envelope should be sealed with scotch tape.
6. Do not secure the hair samples to a piece of paper with scotch tape because this will damage
the hair.
7. All foreign fibrous debris should be removed from the submitted specimen.
8. Fragmentary hairs or underdeveloped hairs are not suitable for examination.
9. Areas on an object containing hairs should be protected with cellophane or paper taped over
the area before wrapping the object from transmittal to laboratory.

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Hair- is a specialized ephitilial outgrowth of the skin which occur everywhere on the human
body except on the palm of the hands and the sole of the feet. It is an appendage of the skin. Hair
is not completely round but may be oval or flattened. Its width is not always the same along its
length. It starts out pointed and narrow and then strays more or less the same.
Two Kinds of Hair (among mammals including human being)
1. Real Hair- generally long and stiff.
2. Fuzz Hair- generally short, fine at times curly and wooly.
Parts of the Hair
Anatomically hair is consists of 3 parts namely:
1. Root- portion embedded in the skin.
2. Shaft- portion above the surface of the skin. It is the most distinctive part of the hair.
3. Tip- sometimes termed point. The distal end of an uncut hair shaft.

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THE HUMAN HAIR
Parts of the Shaft:
1. Cuticle- outermost covering of the hair. It consists of one layer of non-nucleated polygonal
cells which overlaps like the scales on fish.
2. Cortex- the intermediate and the thickest layer of the shaft and is composed of elongated,
spindle shaped fibrils which cohere. They contain pigment granules in varying proportion
depending on the type of the hair.
3. Medulla or Core- is the central canal of hair that may be empty or contain various sorts of
cells more or less pigmented and begins more or less near the root.
Certain hair has medulla. Therefore, hair can be classified into two categories namely:
1. Hair without medulla
2. Hair with medulla.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF HUMAN HAIR

Before performing the examination, take note of any foreign material on the hair and
should be identified if present in sufficient quantity. Hair should be clean with a mixture of equal
parts of alcohol and ether.
1. Color a. with naked eye b. under the microscope
Melanin- the brownish-black pigment in the hair skin, etc. It is the chemical responsible for the
color of the hair. Black and brown hair differs only on the amount of melanin. Red hair is
thought to be due to iron.
2. Length by Actual Measurement
3. Character of the Hair- whether stiff, wiry or soft.
4. Width Breath
5. Character of the Hair Tip if Present- tip of the hair may show whether a hair has been cut.
Tips of the body hair become rounded from rubbing against

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The cloths. Hair of human usually shows a fine tip. Men’s hair tip is apt to be cut off square.

6. Manner by which Hair Had been Cut

[Link] of the Root or Base or Bulb of Hair

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TWO KINDS OF ROOTS
1. Living Roots- often found on hair in full growth.
2. Dry Roots- dead roots

The roots do not give much information as to the origin of the hair. Very often the root is
missing on hair found on cloth at the scene of the crime, on weapons, etc. The examination of the
root will only give clue as to whether the hairs have been pulled away by force or have fallen out
spontaneously and there are three possibilities:
1. All hairs have living roots- on case they have not fallen out themselves but have been
pulled away by force.
2. All hairs have dry roots- in this case they have most certainly fallen out themselves.
3. Some hairs have living and some dry roots- in this case they have been pulled away by
force, the living hairs with dry ones.

8. Character of Cuticle
The size, the general shape and the irregularity of the scales are observed.
9. Character of Cortex
Structural features are studied under the microscope. Cortex is embedded with the
pigment granules that provides the criminalist with important points of comparison between the
hairs of the different individuals.
10. Presence of Dye in Hair
Dyed hair can be distinguished from natural hair. Under the microscope dyed hair has a
dull appearance and the color tone is constant, whereas natural is not and the individual pigment
granules stand more shapely. If there has been subsequent growth of the hair since dyeing the
undyed root end portion will stand out markedly. Bleached hairs have a rough appearance, are
more uniform in shade and contain less pigment depending on the amount of bleaching.
Dye absorption and chemical tests have been developed for the detection of the bleached hair.

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11. Determination of whether naturally or artificially curled
12. Character of Medulla

MEDULLA
The medulla and cortex are the most characteristic portion of the hair. Have more
distinguishing quantities, thus cortex and medulla yields the most reliable criteria in the
diagnosis of hair.

LONGITUDINAL CROSS SECTION OF A HAIR

Medulla or core or the central canal of the hair can be continuous or interrupted. It is
continuous in large number of animals, very often interrupted in human monkeys, horses.

Medulla’s diameter can be absolutely constant. At times alternately narrow and boarder.
The diameter of a medulla and the diameter of the whole hair s the great importance.

Medulla Index ([Link].)- the relationship between the diameter of the medulla and the diameter of
the whole hair. Usually expressed in fraction. Its determination is performed under a microscope
provided with micrometer eyepiece.

1. Hair with narrow medulla (less than 0.5) belongs to human and certain monkey
hair.
2. Hair with medium medulla (approximately 0.5) belongs to hair of cow, horse
and others.
3. Hair with thick medulla (greater than 0.5) almost all animals belongs to this.
Based on the medulla examination it can be determined whether hair is human or animal
origin. The medulla is usually narrower in width in human hair when present. Has finer and more

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numerous cross striations. Animal hairs usually consist of both heavy guard hair and finer fur
hair whereas human hair does not.

A comparison of the medullary index of the hair from the different parts of the body
between man and woman is given in the table below:

COMPARISON BETWEEN HUMAN AND ANIMAL HAIR

HUMAN ANIMAL
1. Medullary index is less than 0.5 1. Medullary index is more than 0.5
2. Medulla may not be present 2. Medulla is always present
3. Scale pattern is fine and each one 3. Scale is coarse and overlaps less than ½
Overlaps the other more than 4/5 4. Pigment granules are coarse
4. Pigment granules are fine
OTHER ASPECTS OF HAIR EXAMINATION
1. Determination of characteristics by race.
2. Determination of characteristics by sex.
3. Determination of the region from which the human hair has been removed
4. Determination of the approximate age of individual.

1. Characteristics by Race
In most instances it can be determined whether a human hair came from Negroid,
Mongoloid or Caucasian race.

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Negroid Race Hair:
1. Contain heavy pigment distributed unevenly
2. A thin cross section of the hair is oval in shape.
3. Hair is usually kinky with marked variation on the
diameter along shaft
Monggoloid Race Hair:
1. Hair contains dense pigment distributed more evenly than Negroid
race hair.
2. Cross section of the hair will be round to oval in shape.
3. Hair is coarse and straight with very little variation in diameter along
the shaft of the hair.
4. Usually contains a heavy black medulla core.
Caucasian Race Hair:
1. Hair contains very fine to coarse pigment and more evenly distributed
than is found in Negro or Mongolian.
2. Cross section will be oval to round in shape
3. Usually straight or wavy and not kinky.
2. Characteristics by Sex
Sex cannot be definitely determined from a hair examination. Male hair is generally
larger in diameter, shorter in length, more wiry in texture than that of a female. Male hair
average approximately 1/350 of an inch in diameter. Female hair averages approximately 1/450
of an inch in diameter.
If a hair is as much as six inched in length and has a split end, these are good indications
that the hair is from a female, though not a positive proof. Pinning, curling, brushing and
combing hair will cause the tip ends to split. Most males hair their haircut often enough to
prevent having head hair with split tip ends.
3. The region of the body from which the human hair has been removed.
The region from the body from which the human hair has been removed can be
determined with considerable accuracy that is through length, size, color, stiffness, curliness and
general gross appearance.

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a. Scalp hair- they are more mature than any other kind of human hair.
b. Beard hair- coarse, curved, very stiff and often triangular in cross section.
c. Moustache- usually triangular in shape and very stiff.
d. Hairs from eyebrow, eyelid, nose and ear- short stubby and have wide medulla. Eyebrow and
eyelashes are usually very short and has a sharp tip.
e. Trunk hair- vary in thickness along the shaft and are immature but are somewhat similar to
head hairs. They have fine, long tip ends.
f. Limb hair- similar trunk hair but usually are not so long or so coarse and usually contain less
pigment.
g. Axillary hair- are fairly long with unevenly distributed pigment. They vary considerably in
diameter along the shaft and have frequently a bleached appearance. It has an irregular shape and
structure. Looks like pubic hair but the ends are sharper and the hair is not so curly.
h. Pubic hair- similar to axillary hairs but are coarser and do not appear bleached. More wiry,
have more construction and twists and usually have continuous broad medulla. Have many
broken ends because the clothing rubs against it.

4. The approximate age of an individual through hair examination

The approximate age of an individual cannot be determined from hair examination with
any degree of certainty except in infant hairs. Infant hairs are fine, short in length, have the fine
pigment and are rudimentary in character.
Children’s hair through adolescence is generally finer and more immature than adult hair
but cannot be definitely differentiated with certainty.
If it is noted that the pigment is missing or starting to disappear in the hair, it can be
stated that the hair is from adult. It is common for a relatively young person to have prematurely
gray or white head hair but not body hairs. The root end of hair from an aged person may show a
distinctive degeneration.
Can we say definitely that the hair came from a certain individual.

The identification of a specimen of a hair as having been derived from a certain individual is
always difficult and in most cases impossible. If a number of strands are taken from a known
source and compared with another specimen, it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that
they are identical in origin no matter how similar they may be in appearance, both grossly and
under the microscope. Many individuals have hair that would present the same characteristics on
examination and could not be differentiated. It can be stated with certainty that the
TEXTILE FIBERS

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In general and broad sense, the word “textile” is derived from the Latin word “textilis”
and the French “textere”, to weave, hence textile fiber means that can be converted into yarn. A
yarn consists of fibers or filaments that have been twisted together.

CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBER

Schematic diagram for the classification of fibers.

TEST FOR TEXTILE FIBERS

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1. Burning or Ignition Test- it is a preliminary macroscopic exam. A test that determines
whether fiber is mineral, animal or vegetable fiber.

Procedure:
A single fiber is applied with flame at one end and the following are noted:
A. Manner of burning
B. Odor of fumes
C. Appearance of burnt end
D. Color of ash
E. Action of fumes on moisten red and blue litmus paper
F. Effect of litmus on a piece of filter paper moistened with lead acetate.
For animal fibers, fibers smoulder or burn slowly and give odor like that of burning feather.
When removed from the flame they do not continue to burn readily and a charred bead remains
at the end of the fiber. Fumes turn red litmus blue.
Wool- odor strong, disagreeable; fumes turn lead acetate paper black or brown
Silk- odor not so pungent, fumes have no effect on lead acetate paper.
For vegetable fibers, fibers burn rapidly with a flame and give off little smoke or fumes.
Charred bead not present when fiber is removed from the flame. Fumes turn blue litmus red.
2. Fluorescent Test- frequently used to determine the general group to which a fiber belongs. It
is not reliable for positive identification of fibers. In general, the vegetable fibers exhibit a
yellow fluorescence in ultra-violet light, whereas the animal fibers show bluish fluorescence.

The fluorescence of some common fibers is given in the following table as obtained by Noptisch
and given by Mr O’Neil:
Material Color under Ultraviolet Daylight Color
1. Unbleached wool Brilliant light blue Light yellow
2. Bleached wool Bluish-white to bluish yellow White
3. Bleached cotton Light-yellow White
4. Mercerized cotton Light-yellow White
5. Bleached linen Brilliant yellowish-white White

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6. Cuprate silk Reddish white with blue- Brownish-white
violet shadow
7. Vidcose silk Sulfur yellow with blue Brownish-white
shadow
8. Nitro silk Brilliant flesh yellow Yellowish
9. Acetate silk Bluish violet White
10. Natural silk Very bright light blue, much White
brighter and whiter than
acetate silk

3. Microscopic examination- In general, it is the most reliable and best means of identifying
fiber. The fiber is placed on a glass slide, teased and covered.
The following are the characteristics of common textile fibers:

Cotton: Unicellular filament, flat, ribbon-like, twisted spirally to right or left on its axis, central
canal or lumen broad uniform in diameter; cell wall thick, covered by a thin, structureless, waxy
cuticle. Fiber tapers gradually to a blunt or rounded point at one end.

Mercerized Cotton: Straight, cylindrical, with occasional twists, evenly lustrous, smooth except
for occasional transverse folds or wrinkles. Cuticle mostly lacking, lumen irregular in width.
Linen: Multicellular filament, straight and cylindrical, not twisted and flattened, tapering to a
sharp point. Cell wall thick, the lumen appearing as a narrow dark line in the center of the fiber.
Filament marked by transverse lines at intervals causing the fiber to appear jointed, resembling
bamboo. Cross lines frequently interest appearing like the letter x.

Cultivated Silk: Smooth, cylindrical, lustrous threads, usually single but often double, the twin-
filaments held together by an envelope of gum. More or less transparent, without definite
structure.

Wild Silk- similar to cultivated silk but broader and less regular in outline. Marked by very fine
longitudinal striations with infrequent diagonal cross-markings.

Artificial Silk: Cylindrical, lustrous, appearing like a glass rod. Microchemical reactions,
dissolved rapidly by half saturated chromic acid; not colored by Millon’s reagent as in case of
true silk.

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Wool: Easily distinguished by presence of flattened, over lapping epidermal scales not found on
silk or any of the vegetable fibers. Fiber many-celled, cylindrical; shaft composed of three layers;
central core or medulla (seldom seen), cortex and scaly cuticle.

Fiber examinations can identify the type of fiber such as animal (wool), vegetable (cotton),
mineral (glass) and synthetic (manufactured). Questioned fibers can be compared to fibers from
victim’s and suspect’s clothing, carpeting and other textiles. A questioned piece of fabric can be
physically matched to known fabric. Fabric composition, construction and color can be
compared. Impressions on fabric and from fabric can be examined. Clothing manufacturer’s
information can be determined by label searches.

4. Chemical Analysis of Fibers- If the sample submitted for analysis is fairly large, such as a
piece of cloth or a number or large threads, it is suggested that a chemical analysis be made to
supplement the microscopic examination and confirm the results obtained from that procedure.

A. Staining Test- The fiber is stained with picric acid, Millon’s reagent, stannic chloride or
iodine solution.

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Test Result
Picric acid + silk Dyed
Picric acid + wool Dyed
Picric acid + cellulose fibers Unchanged
Millon’s reagent + silk Brown
Millon’s reagent + wool Brown
Millon’s reagent + cellulose reagent No reaction
Stannic chloride + cellulose Black

B. Dissolution Test- If the fiber is white or light colored it is treated with the following
chemicals. If dyed, the fiber is first decolorized by boiling in either hydrochloric acid, acetic acid
or dilute potassium hydroxide.

Reagents:
10% NaOH + wool--------------------------------- dissolved
10% NaOH + cultivated silk--------------------- dissolved
10% NaOH + cotton linen, wild silk, cellulose silk------------- undissolved

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