ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 6

An Improved Method for the Histological Preparation of Single Hairs and Dust Samples—Morphological and Immunological Examination
Ishiyama, I
Postgraduate student, professor, and medical technician, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo,

Tanabe, R
Postgraduate student, professor, and medical technician, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo,

Itakura, Y
Postgraduate student, professor, and medical technician, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo,

(Received 16 July 1987; accepted 14 September 1987)

Abstract

An improved method of the serological and morphological investigation of human hair is reported. The hair was firmly fixed onto a microscopic slide with cellophane tape and observed microscopically to confirm the cuticula images and the presence of the medulla. A piece of the hair containing the medulla was dissected, embedded in paraffin, and a cross section of this hair was prepared. By treating the sample with immunohistochemistry (biotin-antibiotin ABC technique), the blood type of the hair was confirmed definitively. Dust containing shaved beard can be examined in the same way.

Keywords:
forensic science, hair, genetic typing, immunohistochemistry, blood groups, cellophane tape, dust samples

Paper ID: JFS12487J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12487J
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