Hair Anatomy and Identification Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Medullae may be classified as being:

Interrupted or absent

Continuous

Fragmented

All of the above (correct)

Which of the following is not a layer of the hair shaft?

Follicle (correct)

Cortex

Cuticle

Medulla

The medullary index of human hair is ________ the medullary index for most other animals.

Less than (correct)

The same as

Greater than

None of the above

Which feature of hair is MOST important in making a species identification?

Scale pattern Signup and view all the answers

Pigment granules that impart hair with color are found in the:

Cortex Signup and view all the answers

The central canal running through many hairs is known as the:

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the hair shaft is most resistant to chemical decomposition?

Cuticle Signup and view all the answers

Explain what morphology means either in terms of hair or fibers.

Morphology means the color, shape, and diameter of the hair or fiber. In the case of fibers, it could also include the kind of cross-section. Signup and view all the answers

A regenerated fiber can be derived from:

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

Rayon is classified as a:

Regenerated fiber Signup and view all the answers

Qiviut, some of the warmest and most expensive fiber, comes from __________.

musk ox Signup and view all the answers

Hair and fiber evidence is packaged using a:

Druggist fold Signup and view all the answers

Automobile carpet fibers have a _____________________ cross-section.

Trilobal Signup and view all the answers

Cellulose is the basic component of:

Wood Signup and view all the answers

Mohair and cashmere are hairs from:

A goat Signup and view all the answers

By far the most prevalent plant fiber is:

Cotton Signup and view all the answers

In the collection of fiber evidence, great care should be taken to:

Avoid cross-contamination of evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how carpet fibers from Wayne Williams' house and car help determine that he was the killer of at least 2 of the Atlanta children.

The carpet fibers found in his house were yellowish-green, which was the color of the fibers found on the boys and it was discontinued and only made by one company. The carpet in his car was very specific to the year, make, and model of his car and was also found on the boys, so they took samples from the car. When they examined the probability of one person having that specific house carpet and that specific car carpet in Atlanta, it was a very high probability that Wayne was the killer. Signup and view all the answers

Before the 20th century, all fibers were:

Natural Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification of Medullae

Medullae can be interrupted, continuous, or fragmented.

Hair Shaft Layers

The hair shaft consists of medulla, cortex, and cuticle; the follicle is not part of the shaft.

Medullary Index

The medullary index of human hair is less than that of most animals.

Importance in Species Identification

The scale pattern of hair is the most significant feature for species identification.

Pigment Granules

Hair color is attributed to pigment granules located in the cortex.

Central Canal

The medulla is the central canal present in many hairs.

Resistance to Decomposition

The cuticle is the part of the hair shaft that shows the highest resistance to chemical decomposition.

Definition of Morphology

Morphology in this context refers to the color, shape, and diameter of hair or fibers; for fibers, it can also include the type of cross-section.

Regenerated Fibers

A regenerated fiber can be derived from cellulose.

Rayon Classification

Rayon is categorized as a regenerated fiber.

Source of Qiviut

The warmest and most expensive fibers known as qiviut come from musk ox.

Evidence Packaging

Fiber evidence should be packaged using a druggist fold to preserve it properly.

Carpet Fiber Cross Section

Automobile carpet fibers exhibit a trilobal cross-section.

Cellulose Composition

Cellulose is the fundamental component of wood.

Source of Mohair and Cashmere

Mohair and cashmere are derived from goats.

Prevalence of Plant Fibers

Cotton is the most prevalent plant fiber globally.

Fiber Evidence Collection

It is crucial to avoid cross-contamination when collecting fiber evidence to maintain its integrity.

Case of Wayne Williams

Carpet fibers from Wayne Williams' house matched those found on two victims, leading to a high probability of his involvement; specific fibers in his car also connected him to the crime.

Historical Fiber Composition

Prior to the 20th century, all fibers used were natural, not synthetic or regenerated.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of hair and its various components. This quiz covers key concepts such as hair shaft layers, medullary index, and the significance of hair morphology in species identification. Explore the resistance of hair elements to decomposition and the role of pigment granules in hair color.