Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Hair by Microscopy

Importancia y uso:

4.1 A microscopical hair examination is conducted to determine if the item is a hair; from a human; from a particular somatic region; characteristic of a broad geographically-assigned ancestral group; characteristic of a particular growth phase; damaged; symptomatic of disease, condition, or disorder; forcibly removed; chemically altered (for example, dyed or bleached); suitable for microscopical comparison; suitable for DNA analysis; and similar to or different from a known sample (4-9).

4.2 Most often, hairs from the head and pubic regions of the body are used for microscopical comparisons. There is usually more interpersonal variability in the characteristics of head and pubic hairs than in the hairs from other somatic regions. Head hairs usually show more interpersonal variation than pubic hairs. Hairs from other somatic regions may also be compared, but these comparisons are usually limited and less frequently conducted. Accordingly, this guide primarily considers human head and pubic hair comparisons.

4.3 Microscopical hair comparisons are not a means of individualization (10). This limitation is to be stated in any communication (for example, reports, testimony) when an association is reported.

4.4 Additional analyses can be performed on hairs that have been chemically altered (for example, dyed hair) or have trace materials on the surface (for example, glitter). Such techniques are beyond the scope of this document.

Subcomité:

E30.15

Referida por:

E1732-24E01, E3175-23

Volúmen:

14.02

Número ICS:

07.140 (Forensic science)