In forensic examination of scalp hair, a questioned hair shows a perfectly circular cross section, coarse shaft, straight profile and densely distributed pigment. To which population group is this morphology most consistent?
- A Caucasoid
- B Mongoloid ✓
- C Negroid
- D Australoid
Correct answer: B. Mongoloid
Explanation
Mongoloid head hair is characteristically coarse, straight and circular in cross section, giving the widest medullary index among the three classical groups. Caucasoid hair is usually oval in cross section and may be wavy, while Negroid hair is flattened or ribbon-like, tightly curled, with dense, unevenly clumped pigment and frequent twisting. The circular cross section with even dense pigment therefore points to Mongoloid origin.
Reference: Simpson's Forensic Medicine, 13th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.