Management of Hair Examination

James Robertson; Elizabeth Brooks

doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-823677-2.00056-8

Management of Hair Examination

James Robertson, Elizabeth Brooks

Science

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary › peer-review

Abstract

Hairs are routinely encountered in forensic investigations. Questions have been raised as to the reliability of findings based on microscopic examination of hairs. In this article a four-stage examination protocol is presented for the management of hairs in a forensic context. This starts with the recovery of hairs at the scene and subsequent examinations in the laboratory and is based on a triage approach that separates animal and human hairs and then selects human hairs that may be suitable for DNA analysis. The value of hairs from a criminalistics perspective is discussed in helping to answer activity level questions. The dual role of hairs makes it vital that they are effectively managed to ensure evidential value is not lost or compromised.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences
Subtitle of host publication	Volume 1-4, Third Edition
Editors	Max M Houck
Publisher	Elsevier
Pages	442-446
Number of pages	5
Volume	3
ISBN (Electronic)	9780128236789
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823677-2.00056-8
Publication status	Published - 2023

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title = "Management of Hair Examination",

abstract = "Hairs are routinely encountered in forensic investigations. Questions have been raised as to the reliability of findings based on microscopic examination of hairs. In this article a four-stage examination protocol is presented for the management of hairs in a forensic context. This starts with the recovery of hairs at the scene and subsequent examinations in the laboratory and is based on a triage approach that separates animal and human hairs and then selects human hairs that may be suitable for DNA analysis. The value of hairs from a criminalistics perspective is discussed in helping to answer activity level questions. The dual role of hairs makes it vital that they are effectively managed to ensure evidential value is not lost or compromised.",

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AU - Brooks, Elizabeth

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AB - Hairs are routinely encountered in forensic investigations. Questions have been raised as to the reliability of findings based on microscopic examination of hairs. In this article a four-stage examination protocol is presented for the management of hairs in a forensic context. This starts with the recovery of hairs at the scene and subsequent examinations in the laboratory and is based on a triage approach that separates animal and human hairs and then selects human hairs that may be suitable for DNA analysis. The value of hairs from a criminalistics perspective is discussed in helping to answer activity level questions. The dual role of hairs makes it vital that they are effectively managed to ensure evidential value is not lost or compromised.

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KW - Animal hairs

KW - Crime scene

KW - Event reconstruction

KW - Evidential value

KW - Human hairs

KW - Microscopy

KW - Mitochondrial DNA

KW - Nuclear DNA

KW - Triage

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BT - Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences

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PB - Elsevier

ER -

Management of Hair Examination

Abstract

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