In forensic hair analysis, which microscopic feature can distinguish human hair from animal hair?
- A Human hair has a medulla occupying more than one-third of the hair diameter
- B Human hair has a continuous, wide medulla occupying most of the shaft diameter
- C Animal hair typically has an amorphous, interrupted, or absent medulla while human hair has a fragmented or absent medulla ✓
- D Cuticle scale pattern cannot distinguish human from animal hair
Explanation
In forensic microscopic hair comparison, the medullary index (medulla diameter / total hair diameter) is a key feature. Human hair typically has a medullary index less than 1/3 (narrow or absent medulla), while most animal hairs have a wide, continuous medulla with a medullary index greater than 1/2. Additionally, human cuticle scales are relatively smooth and imbricate, whereas animal hairs show more pronounced, petal-like or complex scale patterns. These features allow preliminary species classification, though DNA analysis is needed for definitive identification.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
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