Forensics: Hair/Fiber Analysis

History:
Hair and Fiber analysis is a field in forensics that has evolved and become key as evidence in trials across the nation. Hair and fiber analysis has played an important role in solving crimes, used in the Leo Rank Trial of 1913 to match the hairs of the victim with the crime scene. Hair analysis was also used in the Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti to match hairs found in a cap to those taken from Sacco.




Different Hair/Fiber samples:

In the Lab we were to test several different hairs to see the different patterns of the hairs and fibers. 


Fibers: 
-Polyester 















-Cotton 

-Wool

-Rayon 

-Silk


How do Scientist analyze hair and fibers?

 Most comparisons of hair and fiber are done with a microscope, although fibers can be run through a spectrometer to determine an unknown material.  Samples from the suspects should number from about 15-25 strands from different locations so as to receive an accurate match.


Landmark Case:

One of the most famous cases involving Hair or Fiber Analysis was the Atlanta Child Murders case. Victims were found in rivers wrapped in shower curtains. The fibers proved a perfect match to a very unusual carpet in the murderer's home(a yellow rug), after testing the criminal was discovered. This was the first case in which the murderer was indentified from fibers found.