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Funes DSH, Bonilla K, Baudelet M, Bridge C. Morphological and chemical profiling for forensic hair examination: A review of quantitative methods. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 346:111622. [PMID: 37001429 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Within the past two decades, there have been many studies for quantitative analysis on human hair samples. Microscopical and chemical analysis techniques have been used to analyze various aspects of hair regarding biological, chemical, anthropological, cosmetic, and forensic applications. Studies have attempted to develop quantification methods to increase the evidentiary value of hair in forensic casework. The literature reviewed in this paper provides some of the current techniques used for forensic examinations and quantitative methods. Although microscopical analysis has been scrutinized in the past, using chemical and microscopical techniques can provide a myriad of information. The extraction of DNA from hair provides high-value evidence; however, it may not be readily available and may yield inconclusive results. Hair analysis can be used for many forensic applications such as comparison, toxicology, and exposure analysis. In this article, we will review published research material regarding chemical and microscopical techniques for human hair analysis. Aspects considered for this review were the sample size requirement for analysis and the destructive nature of the instrumental method. This review will focus on both macro and micro quantitative methods for human hair analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S H Funes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Bonilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Mathieu Baudelet
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA; National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA; CREOL - The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
| | - Candice Bridge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA; National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
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Funes DSH, Bridge C. Analysis of hair color and texture for forensic examinations. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:520-533. [PMID: 33284459 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Efforts have been conducted to evaluate hair features empirically, for example, color; however, a review of current literature showed few studies investigating cortical texture analysis. The development of high-resolution digital microscopes allows researchers to obtain more accurate measurements of hair features. In this study, digital microscopy was used to explore variance within the cortical texture, color, and density characteristics throughout hair strands. In this study, 20-25 naturally shed hairs from 12 individuals of different ancestries were collected. Measurements of three different features were collected: entropy texture measurements, that is, measurement of the randomness of pigment granules and cortical fusi; color distributions of the hairs via a red-green-blue (RGB) color model; and the calculation of the pigment density ratio using hue-saturation-value color model. Analysis of variance was performed on data collected from each analysis type to assess inter- and intra-person variability. The F-ratios obtained, which compares inter-person to intra-person variability, ranged from 9.29 to 69.24. Cortical texture and color measurements showed promising results in differentiating between inter-person samples. Although density ratios showed the least potential for discrimination, it provided another level for differentiating inter-person hair samples. The location that provided the best differentiation of strands from different donors could be made at a 20.0 mm distance from the strand's proximal end for all three features measured. The methods proposed in this study show the potential to quantify hair features that exhibit better differentiation of hair from different individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S H Funes
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Candice Bridge
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.,National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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Wilkinson L, Bailey JW, Gwinnett C. The creation of an assessment tool for the analysis of two forms of heat damage in animal hair. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 312:110265. [PMID: 32473524 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Animal cruelty cases can involve a variety of mistreatment to domestic animals. A common source of abuse is the use of heat sources, such as ovens, hot surfaces and microwaves. Analysis of damage to skin by a veterinarian is a key aspect of these investigations but additional information can be provided by observing the hair of the animal, including heat source type and exposure time. This study developed an objective grading system for the analysis of heat damage in hairs which can be used to quantify different damage characteristics including bubbling, discolouration, expansion of hair, fractures, changes to the medulla and scales and scale removal/melting. This grading scheme was applied to the investigation of dog (Canis familiaris) skin samples with full pelage and loose hairs exposed to microwaves and a heated environment in order to identify any distinguishing damage characteristics from the two different heated environments. Samples were exposed to a furnace for 1min at different temperature ranges (50-350°C with 50°C intervals) and also a microwave at maximum power for different time periods (15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300s). Hairs were extracted for examination using high powered light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Overall, it can be determined that the type of damage observed is influenced by the nature of heat applied and the context and substrate in which the hair is situated at the time of exposure. Using principal component analysis (PCA) it was concluded that as temperature increases in a furnace so does the severity of each of the damage characteristics observed. It can be noted that with furnace exposure, any one of the characteristics could be used to indicate the temperature to which it has been exposed. For furnace exposed samples there was no significant difference between loose or embedded hairs. PCA analysis determined that there are two independent forms of damage that occur when hairs are exposed to microwave radiation, these are: increased bubbling and discolouration in the root and increased bubbling and discolouration of the shaft and tip. Exposure time is correlated with both the root and shaft/tip observations. The results indicated some clear distinctions between heat source and exposure useful for the objective interpretation of such evidence. This standardised approach for the observation of heat damage characteristics in animal hair provides investigators with a tool to differentiate between methods of abuse, providing a greater understanding of the crime committed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Wilkinson
- Criminal Justice and Forensic Department, Staffordshire University, The Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DF, England, United Kingdom.
| | - J William Bailey
- University of Salford, Salford Crescent, Salford, England, M54WT, United Kingdom.
| | - Claire Gwinnett
- Criminal Justice and Forensic Department, Staffordshire University, The Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DF, England, United Kingdom.
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Wilkinson L, Gwinnett C. An international survey into the analysis and interpretation of microscopic hair evidence by forensic hair examiners. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 308:110158. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Chu F, Anex DS, Jones AD, Hart BR. Automated analysis of scanning electron microscopic images for assessment of hair surface damage. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:191438. [PMID: 32218961 PMCID: PMC7029898 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.191438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical damage of hair can serve as an indicator of health status and its assessment relies on the measurement of morphological features via microscopic analysis, yet few studies have categorized the extent of damage sustained, and instead have depended on qualitative profiling based on the presence or absence of specific features. We describe the development and application of a novel quantitative measure for scoring hair surface damage in scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images without predefined features, and automation of image analysis for characterization of morphological hair damage after exposure to an explosive blast. Application of an automated normalization procedure for SEM images revealed features indicative of contact with materials in an explosive device and characteristic of heat damage, though many were similar to features from physical and chemical weathering. Assessment of hair damage with tailing factor, a measure of asymmetry in pixel brightness histograms and proxy for surface roughness, yielded 81% classification accuracy to an existing damage classification system, indicating good agreement between the two metrics. Further ability of the tailing factor to score features of hair damage reflecting explosion conditions demonstrates the broad applicability of the metric to assess damage to hairs containing a diverse set of morphological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Chu
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, 578 S Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Deon S. Anex
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - A. Daniel Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, 603 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Bradley R. Hart
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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Koch SL, Tridico SR, Bernard BA, Shriver MD, Jablonski NG. The biology of human hair: A multidisciplinary review. Am J Hum Biol 2019; 32:e23316. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra L. Koch
- Department of AnthropologyPennsylvania State University State College Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Mark D. Shriver
- Department of AnthropologyPennsylvania State University State College Pennsylvania
| | - Nina G. Jablonski
- Department of AnthropologyPennsylvania State University State College Pennsylvania
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MILLS M, BONETTI J, BRETTELL T, QUARINO L. Differentiation of human hair by colour and diameter using light microscopy, digital imaging and statistical analysis. J Microsc 2017; 270:27-40. [DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. MILLS
- Forensic Science Program; Cedar Crest College; Allentown Pennsylvania U.S.A
| | - J. BONETTI
- Forensic Science Program; Cedar Crest College; Allentown Pennsylvania U.S.A
| | - T. BRETTELL
- Forensic Science Program; Cedar Crest College; Allentown Pennsylvania U.S.A
| | - L. QUARINO
- Forensic Science Program; Cedar Crest College; Allentown Pennsylvania U.S.A
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Hyperspectral imaging for non-contact analysis of forensic traces. Forensic Sci Int 2012; 223:28-39. [PMID: 23088824 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Revised: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) integrates conventional imaging and spectroscopy, to obtain both spatial and spectral information from a specimen. This technique enables investigators to analyze the chemical composition of traces and simultaneously visualize their spatial distribution. HSI offers significant potential for the detection, visualization, identification and age estimation of forensic traces. The rapid, non-destructive and non-contact features of HSI mark its suitability as an analytical tool for forensic science. This paper provides an overview of the principles, instrumentation and analytical techniques involved in hyperspectral imaging. We describe recent advances in HSI technology motivating forensic science applications, e.g. the development of portable and fast image acquisition systems. Reported forensic science applications are reviewed. Challenges are addressed, such as the analysis of traces on backgrounds encountered in casework, concluded by a summary of possible future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. A. Brettell
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104-6196, United States
| | - J. M. Butler
- Biochemical Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8312, United States
| | - J. R. Almirall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
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Barrett JA, Siegel JA, Goodpaster JV. Forensic Discrimination of Dyed Hair Color: I. UV-Visible Microspectrophotometry. J Forensic Sci 2010; 55:323-33. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01306.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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