Problem: Hairs and Fibers
Hair and fibers are considered to be sources of trace evidence left behind at crime scenes. Although rarely are individualistic characteristics given to these types of evidence, methods for examination and evaluation of both hair and fiber evidence will be discussed. Hair analysis under the best circumstances can usually only confer species characteristics. Without the follicular tag adhering to the hair at a crime scene, only class characteristics can be given to the hair left behind.
In your initial post, please address all components of the discussion question. Replies are required to be substantive, proofread and help to move the conversation of the scientific topic forward.
1) What are the elements that the Forensic Scientists would be comparing to the crime scene hair?
2) Given this pursuit of class characteristics, why then has the court disallowed hair evidence other than DNA Profiling of hair into the courtroom?
3) Both hair and fibers are usual pieces of crime scene evidence, why then would you choose one (either hair or fiber) over the other to aid in Criminal Investigation of the case? What about fibers diminish their value as crime scene evidence?