Morphological identification of animal hairs: Myths and misconceptions, possibilities and pitfalls

S.R. Tridico; M.M. Houck; K. Paul Kirkbride; M.E. Smith; B.C. Yates

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.023

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Morphological identification of animal hairs: Myths and misconceptions, possibilities and pitfalls

Journal article

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Morphological identification of animal hairs: Myths and misconceptions, possibilities and pitfalls

S.R. Tridico, M.M. Houck, K. Paul Kirkbride, M.E. Smith and B.C. Yates

Forensic Science International, Vol.238, pp.101-107

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.023

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Abstract

The examination of hair collected from crime scenes is an important and highly informative discipline relevant to many forensic investigations. However, the forensic identification of animal (non-human) hairs requires different skill sets and competencies to those required for human hair comparisons. The aim of this is paper is not only to highlight the intrinsic differences between forensic human hair comparison and forensic animal hair identification, but also discuss the utility and reliability of the two in the context of possibilities and pitfalls. It also addresses and dispels some of the more popular myths and misconceptions surrounding the microscopical examination of animal hairs. Furthermore, future directions of this discipline are explored through the proposal of recommendations for minimum standards for the morphological identification of animal hairs and the significance of the newly developed guidelines by SWGWILD is discussed.

Details

Title: Morphological identification of animal hairs: Myths and misconceptions, possibilities and pitfalls
Authors/Creators: S.R. Tridico (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
M.M. Houck (Author/Creator) - Department of Forensic Sciences, Consolidated Forensic Laboratory, 401 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
K. Paul Kirkbride (Author/Creator) - Flinders University
M.E. Smith (Author/Creator) - Ashland (United States)
B.C. Yates (Author/Creator) - Ashland (United States)
Publication Details: Forensic Science International, Vol.238, pp.101-107
Publisher: Elsevier
Identifiers: 991005542446607891
Copyright: © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.274 Wildlife Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Medicine, Legal
ESI research areas: Clinical Medicine