======Hair Sample Analysis======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
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**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Forensic Hair Comparison
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Prepare a hair sample sheet with taped hairs from each suspect, along with one hair from the crime scene (the culprit’s).
  -Optionally, mount hairs on labeled microscope slides for easier viewing.
  -Set up microscopes or magnifying glasses at the station for closer inspection.
  -Provide each student with a case book and pencil for recording observations.
  -Have students examine each hair, noting color, length, texture, curliness, thickness, and other visible characteristics.
  -Direct students to compare the crime scene hair to each suspect’s sample, identifying the closest match.
  -Encourage students to explain their reasoning, highlighting which features led them to their conclusion.




====Links==== 
Forensic Hair Comparison Lab - Heidi Hisrich: 
{{youtube>bIWG-lpBTu8?}}\\

Forensic Science and Hair Analysis - Marysusan Noll: 
{{youtube>9r8ped2ptiY?}}\\

📄 Hair Sample Analysis - Science World: [[https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/hair-sample-analysis-crime-fighters-station-4/]]\\

====Variations====
  *Provide fibers from suspects’ clothing along with one found at the crime scene and analyze them in the same way as hair samples.
  *Use digital microscopes to capture and compare images of the hairs.
  *Introduce hair samples treated with dye or heat damage to show how treatments alter microscopic appearance.



====Safety Precautions====
  *Handle microscopes and magnifying glasses carefully to prevent damage.
  *If cutting hairs for slides, use scissors safely and store them properly after use.
  *Keep all samples sealed or taped securely to prevent contamination or loss.
  *Wash hands after handling hair or fiber samples.




====Questions to Consider====
  *What characteristics of hair are most useful for comparison? (Color, thickness, curliness, and texture provide stronger clues than length alone.)
  *Why might length not be a reliable identifying characteristic? (Length can vary within an individual depending on when the hair was cut or shed.)
  *How could dyed or treated hair affect the analysis? (It may mask natural color or damage the hair, making comparisons more difficult.)
  *How can investigators be sure the hair came from the culprit and not a victim or bystander? (They must consider context, timing, and other supporting evidence.)
  *What challenges exist when collecting hairs from a crime scene? (Hairs may have been shed long before the crime or transferred from another location.)