Forensic Examination of Hair

The examination of human hair in the forensic science setting is a highly specialist discipline. This volume brings together for the first time all aspects of hair examination. Contributions have come from an international panel of experts.

The examination of human hairs in the forensic science setting is a highly specialist forensic discipline. To date the topic has not been covered in a single volume in which all aspects of hair examination are brought together. In this volume an international group of authors have dealt with all aspects of the examination of human hair. The volume opens with the basic foundation accidence covering the physiology, growth and structure of hair. Forensic specific aspects of hair structure are then dealt with and a protocol for examination is presented. The remaining chapters deal with non microscopy approaches to hair examination covering historical and contemporary knowledge. These chapters include biochemical approaches to hair examination, the use of elemental analysis, the analysis of cosmetic treatments, the analysis of hairs for drugs and the use of DNA analysis. In the final chapter the value of hair examination as evidence is assessed. The book will be of value to students forensic science, to members of the legal profession and to practitioners of forensic science. Written in an open accessible style it promises to be the standard text for human hair for the foreseeable future.