Hair histology as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species.
Abstract: Animal hair examination at a criminal scene may provide valuable information in forensic investigations. However, local reference databases for animal hair identification are rare. In the present study, we provide differential histological analysis of hair of some domestic animals in Upper Egypt. For this purpose, guard hair of large ruminants (buffalo, camel and cow), small ruminants (sheep and goat), equine (horse and donkey) and canine (dog and cat) were collected and comparative analysis was performed by light microscopy. Based on the hair cuticle scale pattern, type and diameter of the medulla, and the pigmentation, characteristic differential features of each animal species were identified. The cuticle scale pattern was imbricate in all tested animals except in donkey, in which coronal scales were identified. The cuticle scale margin type, shape and the distance in between were characteristic for each animal species. The hair medulla was continuous in most of the tested animal species with the exception of sheep, in which fragmental medulla was detected. The diameter of the hair medulla and the margins differ according to the animal species. Hair shaft pigmentation were not detected in all tested animals with the exception of camel and buffalo, in which granules and streak-like pigmentation were detected. In conclusion, the present study provides a first-step towards preparation of a complete local reference database for animal hair identification that can be used in forensic investigations.
Publication Date: 2018-07-06 PubMed ID: 30108469PubMed Central: PMC6088218DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1478Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the use of hair histology (the microscopic study of the anatomical structure of hair) as a tool in forensic investigations for the identification of domestic animals in Upper Egypt. The study concludes that examining the differential histological features of hair can serve as a basis for creating a local reference database to assist in animal species identification during forensic investigations.
Objective and Methodology of the Research
- The main aim of the study was to identify distinctive histological characteristics of hair from different domestic animals that could be used for species identification in forensic investigations.
- Hair collected from several animal species, such as large ruminants (buffalo, camel, cow), small ruminants (sheep, goat), equine (horse, donkey), and canine (dog, cat), served as the subjects of the analysis.
- The research team carried out a comparative analysis of hair structure for all the mentioned animals using light microscopy.
Key Observations from the Research
- Characteristic features of each animal species were identified based on three vital factors: the hair cuticle scale pattern, type and diameter of the medulla (central core of the hair), and pigmentation.
- The cuticle scale pattern was found to be imbricate (overlapping, like roof tiles) in animals, except donkeys, where coronal (crown-like) scales were observed.
- The type, shape, and distance between the cuticle scale margins were found to diverge for each domestic animal species, making them unique identifiers.
- The hair medulla was generally continuous in most animals, but in sheep, a fragmentary or interrupted medulla was identified.
- The diameter of the hair medulla and its margins varied according to the animal species.
- Distinctive pigmentation was principally absent in the hair of most tested animals, except for camels and buffalos, which showed granule-based and streak-like pigmentation respectively.
Conclusion of the Research
- The study concluded that hair histology could provide crucial identifiers for differentiating between domestic animals in forensic investigations.
- It provides a foundation for creating a local reference database to assist in animal species identification, thereby potentially enhancing the effectiveness and accuracy of forensic investigations in the region.
Cite This Article
APA
Ahmed YA, Ali S, Ghallab A.
(2018).
Hair histology as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species.
EXCLI J, 17, 663-670.
https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2018-1478 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Cloete KJ, Šmit Ž, Gianoncelli A. Multidimensional Profiling of Human Body Hairs Using Qualitative and Semi-Quantitative Approaches with SR-XRF, ATR-FTIR, DSC, and SEM-EDX. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Feb 19;24(4).
- Mohammed ESI, Madkour FA, Zayed M, Radey R, Ghallab A, Hassan R. Comparative histological analysis of the skin for forensic investigation of some animal species. EXCLI J 2022;21:1286-1298.
- Gupta S, Yadav PK, Sharma S. Trends in the Forensic Examination of Hair. Int J Trichology 2025 May-Jun;17(3):173-190.
- Alsafy MAM, El-Gendy SAA, Derbalah A, Rashwan AM, Haddad SS. Scanning electron microscopy and morphometric analysis of the hair in dromedaries with SEM-EDX in relation to age. BMC Zool 2024 Jul 15;9(1):17.
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