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Forensics chapter 3: the study of hair answers
Forensics chapter 3: the study of hair answers
Forensics chapter 3: the study of hair answers
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Hair Evidence in Forensic Science
Hair is an important part of our body. It can be found anywhere and can be a useful evidence in forensic science. It consists of three layers, namely cuticle, cortex and medulla. Cuticle- is a covering that consists of hard scales made of keratin, which is a protein approaching tip ends of the hair. There are three types of cuticle: coronal, imbricated and spinous types. Cortex consists of stretched out beam shaped cells, buried with pigment granules for hair to cede with color and is the main body of the hair shaft. It may also contain pigment granula, ovoid bodies and cortical fusi (Wright, 2008). Furthermore, medulla can be categorized into continuous, fragmental, absent and interrupted types. If medulla
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Strands of human hair situated at the crime scene gives exceptionally solid sign that an individual was at that area, yet it can likewise be useless if the fibres were found outside and, subsequently subject to the elements such as wind, and if the full length of the strand is not present (Dasgupta, 2007). Hair without anyone else 's input is essential, but rather the most imperative DNA evidence connected with hair fibres originates from the cellular material at the root of the hair strand. In a way, the microscopic particles of follicle give the most solid proof. The protein called keratin is the key substance that goes with the follicle, and that gives the best distinguishing proof. On the off chance that the hair is taken off by the root, for example that could happen when an individual is guarding him or herself against an attacker, then the hair fibres are essential (Innes, 2000). Hair that does exclude follicular material is a great deal less dependable. Hair fibres that do exclude keratin are helpful in distinguishing a category of individual into which a suspect may fit, however they are not complete evidence that the hair originated from the suspect (Innes, 2000). Therefore, personally, hair fibres are less important than fingerprints and DNA evidence acquired from saliva or blood. Fingerprints are not DNA evidence, but still they are extremely dependable types of evidence. DNA obtained from bodily fluids, in any case, is the most profitable type of evidence
Just because a hair is found at the scene doesn’t mean that it belongs to the perpetrator. It is important to take Locard’s Principle into account, “The microscopic debris that cover our bodies are the mute witnesses... of all our movements and all our encounters.” (Robertson, 7.2) When you come into contact with something or someone, there is always a transfer, even if it isn’t noticeable. There are different types of transferring, primary and secondary. Primary transfer is when something transfers from you to another source. When someone comes into contact with that source, there is a chance that your hair or fiber transfers onto the other person. This is secondary transfer. Because humans shed hair frequently, it is easy for hair to go through secondary transfer and end up somewhere that the individual had never been. Hair can remain on a source for a couple hours without being transferred and it does not break down very easily, so this can remain in place for a long time. (Robertson,
Hair is considered one of the components of the integumentary system, along with the skin, nails, glands and nerves. Mammalian hair has many functions including protection from environmental factors and the ability to disperse sweat gland products such as pheromones. Almost every part of the human body is covered by hair except for the palms, hands and bottoms of the feet. On average, every person has about five million hairs; each of these hairs is born from a follicle or tiny tube-like structure that grows into the dermis layer of the skin. Oftentimes this follicle even reaches the subcutaneous layer, which is made of fat and connective tissue. (UXL Complete Health Research, 2001)
. DNA can be left or collected from the hair, saliva, blood, mucus, semen, urine, fecal matter, and even the bones. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science community to identify a suspect or victim since the use of fingerprinting. Moreover, since the introduction of this new technique, there has been a large number of individuals released or convicted of crimes based on DNA left at the crime scene. DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid.
Some existing Literature on Natural Hair The existing literature on ethnic and racial studies among African-Americans has focused on issues pertaining to beauty and body politics especially on natural hair. Spellers and Moffitt assert that the body politics that one assumes, guides how one relates to a particular political ideology in a particular society. Black natural hair is considered as a way by which the true identity of African women can be understood (Jacobs-Huey). It is a symbol of power among black women; it influences how people are treated by others.
Another discrepancy between actual forensics and how it is portrayed in the media is the availability of information in databases. There is only a small percentage of the entire population’s fingerprints or DNA samples stored within databases such as the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). This makes finding a match between a DNA sample or fingerprint difficult, as a match would only be found if the person’s information was already stored within the database. If there is no match previously stored in a database, the fingerprint or DNA sample could be potentially rendered useless within a trial. Typically, in order to perform an analysis, investigators must already have a suspect in mind and request a DNA or fingerprint sample from him or her. If the suspect does not want to provide one however, the sample collected as evidence may not count as valid. The CSI effect creates an idealized image that all crimes can be solved with a hair or drop of blood, but this is not always the case in real life.
The blood of the unknown person became apparent through comparing the blood type found at the crime scene with the contrasting blood types of the suspects. The blood identified at the crime scene could have possibly belonged to Anna Garcia or Erica Piedmont. This observation was based on the information that the blood type found at the crime scene was type A and these two individuals are the only ones that carry that specific type. In similarity, a microscopic photography was taken of the unknown hair follicle found at the crime scene. Then hair samples were taken from the potential suspects, and the victim. These findings were then compared. This was done by looking at each individuals hair follicles and comparing it with the unknown one. By looking at the similarities and differences in medulla diameter, the discovery of the unknown hair follicle became established that it belonged to Anna Garcia. Further examination resulted in the analyzation of a shoe print found at the crime scene. Shoe patterns and sizes were taken from each suspect, including the victims. They were then identified and compared to the one found at the crime scene. By looking at the distinct pattern, size, and the fact that both shoes were a Columbia brand sneaker it became obvious that the shoe print was extremely similar to Anna’s shoe design. Through this found evidence it became
Throughout the years we see different trends, styles, and taste's that apply to what society accepts as attractive at their moment. Some people choose more conservative looks whereas other generations were far more liberal in their way of dressing and styling their hair. In order to understand why people would choose certain hairstyles in the 1980's it is important to know more about that year for example,who were the top celebrities or other famous people that had a major influence on society during that time. We know that most fashion and hair trends come from artists in the music industry because they play a major role in everyone's life. People will listen to their music and watch their music videos which will serve as
African American hair looks gorgeous, attractive and beautiful. Your hair is extremely fragile and needs proper care and gentle touch so that it doesn’t break or get loose. Here are the top African American hair cares FAQs.
The most important type of evidence is DNA. When DNA testing takes place, the samples are collected from the suspect and the crime scene. These evidences include hair, fingerprint, human secretions, blood, semen and other bodily fluids, are collected and sent to the lab for further investigation.
These hairs may be of evidentiary value to show contact between two people. With an adequate hair standard, a trace chemist will be able to microscopically compare an unknown hair to a standard collection and determine if the unknown hair could have come from the individual under investigation. Hair comparisons can not identify hair as coming from one individual to the exclusion of anyone else. DNA testing can strengthen any possible association with the hairs." - Locard.... ... middle of paper ... ...
The criminal justice system has changed a lot since the good old days of the Wild West when pretty much anything was legal. Criminals were dealt with in any fashion the law enforcement saw fit. The science of catching criminals has evolved since these days. We are better at catching criminals than ever and we owe this advancement to forensic science. The development of forensic science has given us the important techniques of fingerprinting and DNA analysis. We can use these techniques to catch criminals, prove people's innocence, and keep track of inmates after they have been paroled. There are many different ways of solving crimes using forensic evidence. One of these ways is using blood spatter analysis; this is where the distribution and pattern of bloodstains is studied to find the nature of the event that caused the blood spatter. Many things go into the determination of the cause including: the effects of various types of physical forces on blood, the interaction between blood and the surfaces on which it falls, the location of the person shedding the blood, the location and actions of the assailant, and the movement of them both during the incident. Another common type of forensic evidence is trace evidence. This is commonly recovered from any number of items at a crime scene. These items can include carpet fibers, clothing fibers, or hair found in or around the crime scene. Hairs recovered from crime scenes can be used as an important source of DNA. Examination of material recovered from a victim's or suspect's clothing can allow association to be made between the victim and other people, places, or things involved in the investigation. DNA analysis is the most important part of forensic science. DNA evidence can come in many forms at the crime scene. Some of these forms include hair; bodily fluids recovered at the crime scene or on the victim's body, skin under the victim's fingernails, blood, and many others. This DNA can be the basis of someone's guilt or innocence; it has decided many cases in the twentieth century. As the times continue to change and the criminals get smarter we will always need to find new ways to catch them. Forensic science is the most advanced method yet, but is only the beginning. As the field of science grows so will the abilities of the
Once a crime has been committed the most important item to recover is any type of evidence left at the scene. If the suspect left any Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the crime scene, he could then be linked to the crime and eventually charged. A suspect’s DNA can be recovered if the suspect leaves a sample of his or her DNA at the crime scene. However, this method was not always used to track down a suspect. Not too long ago, detectives used to use bite marks, blood stain detection, blood grouping as the primary tool to identify a suspect. DNA can be left or collected from the hair, saliva, blood, mucus, semen, urine, fecal matter, and even the bones. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science community to identify a suspect or victim since the use of fingerprinting. Moreover, since the introduction of this new technique it has been a la...
The furry face people or the beard keepers most often groom their beard from a modern hair salon with the assistance of a beard stylist. This is due to the lack of art in trimming a beard. However, you can learn from the professional at branded cosmetic saloon and through online tutorial also. These are simple when you have a beard grooming kit in your home. If you wish to groom your beard, you need some essential facial hair care products. These are available in nearby retail cosmetic store and in online cosmetic store. These are affordable and online shopping provides you many discounts.
While DNA profiles can be obtained from evidentiary swabs, forensic science is currently deficient in the methods to determine the tissue source of the DNA. While proper confirmatory tests exist for biological fluids such as semen1,2 and blood3, similar tests for the confirmatory identification of saliva are lacking. Being able to confidently identify the source material of the DNA may help criminal investigators corroborate the claims of an alleged victim or suspect. For example, analysis of an evidentiary swab from an alleged suspects finger. The alleged victim states that she was sexual assaulted and the suspect used his finger to penetrate her. The alleged suspect states that no sexual assault occurred and that the alleged victim licked his finger at a bar. In this case, and many similar cases, being able to determine the source of the DNA would be critical in being able to solve the case.
In crime scene investigations, hair is one of the most common types of evidence encountered. Hair evidence is picked up at the scene, and usually collected from several different areas on the body. Through hair analysis, we can determine if the source is human or animal, and what race the source is a member of. When analyzing hair, the color and structure is the main view of focus and is determined through microscopic magnification. Today hair evidence has played a significant role in criminal investigations and has helped solved many cases.