QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY
SABADO, CHELSEA PEARL C.
BSCRIM 3D CHEM101
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY & TOXICOLOGY
LABORATORY REPORT
ACTIVITY 4
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL HAIR
Human Hair
Animal Hair
I. ABSTRACT
The objective of this laboratory experiment aims to understand the comparison
of human hair and animal hair (dog hair). To have knowledge about the distinction
between the hair and fur. To identify the similarities and differences of human hair
and dog hair and to determine their morphological variations that allows us to
distinguish which hair belongs to. That human and animal hairs have been used in
forensic investigations for over a century.
II. INTRODUCTION
The distinction between "hair" and "fur" can be a bit confusing. Generally, hair
is considered to be longer and finer than fur, which is shorter and denser. However,
there are other factors that contribute to the distinction as well. According to one
expert, "fur" is typically recognized as "the relatively short hair with definitive growth
that grows densely over the body," while "hair" is usually longer and grows in a more
scattered pattern. Another factor that differentiates hair from fur is the pattern of
growth. Most animals, including dogs, are covered in hair, while humans tend to grow
hair in specific locations on the body.
There are small differences and that human hair tends to continuously grow
throughout a person’s life and fur from other mammals like dogs will grow to a point
and then shed. The most important thing to know about the difference between hair
and fur is that they are actually not different at all, at least scientifically. Both hair
and fur share the same chemical composition, as the two are made out of keratin, the
same protein compound that makes up fingernails, claws, horns, and hooves. The
main difference between hair and fur is the way each grows. Even though both hair
and fur go through the same phases of the hair cycle, how long each stage takes
determines the characteristics such as thickness, length, texture, and shedding.
Generally, “hair” goes through a longer Anagen phase or growing phase. Dog “fur” goes
through the entire cycle quicker, which is why dogs with fur shed more often. Since
fur goes through every phase faster, including the growing phase, dog fur is typically
shorter and thicker than hair which is longer due to its longer growing phase.
QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY
III. MATERIALS/METHOD
Human hair sample (homo sapiens)
Dog hair sample (canis lupus familiaris)
Microscope
Blade
Glass slides
IV. PROCEDURE
The human hair sample were collected from a volunteer and the dog hair
sample were collected from a pet owner. The samples were then carefully examined
under the microscope. The similarities and differences of human hair and animal hair
(dog hair) were noted for each hair sample based on observation. Additionally, the
morphological characteristics such as color, hair shaft profile, cross-section, surface
characteristics, and size were examined, observed and recorded.
V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Features Dog Hair Human Hair
Color White Black
Shaft profile Straight
Cross section Oval Circular
Cuticle Present
Surface texture Smooth before getting scratched by the blade
Size Almost the same in size
Based on the results, I have observed that there are features that makes a dog hair
and human hair similar and there are also difference among the two. The distinctive traits
were studied using a microscope to discriminate between human and animal hair to
distinguish between the two species. There are numerous variances between human and
dog hair. They differ in color due to each species genes. Both have straight shaft profile.
The cross section of their hair differs from each other wherein the dog hair is oval while
the human hair is circular. The cuticle part of the hair is present in both. The surface
structures of the dog hair sample were found to be smooth before getting scratched by the
blade same as the surface structure of the human hair sample. It is observable that the
human hair and dog hair are almost the same in size.
VI. CONCLUSION
After comparing the two hair samples, the differences and similarities were
discovered. A microscope was used to assist in the microscopic examinations of the
human and dog hair samples in order to distinguish between them. The morphological
variations that allow for the separation of the human and dog hair samples are revealed
by microscopic examination of the hair samples. Therefore, screening for hair selection is
made possible by using a microscope to examine hair from humans and other species and
have been widely used in forensic investigations for over a century.
