Hair and Fiber Analysis in Forensic Science
This worksheet covers fundamental concepts in forensic hair and fiber analysis, including hair structure, growth phases, and distinguishing natural from synthetic fibers.
Includes
Standards
Topics
Hair and Fiber Analysis: Grade 9 Forensic Science
Name:
Date:
Score:
Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. Which part of the hair contains the pigment that gives hair its color?
Cuticle
Cortex
Medulla
Follicle
2. Which type of fiber is derived from plants or animals?
Synthetic fiber
Natural fiber
Mineral fiber
Manufactured fiber
3. The three main layers of hair are the cuticle, cortex, and .
4. The growth phase where hair is actively growing is called the phase.
5. fibers are typically uniform in diameter and can be very long.
6. A hair found at a crime scene can definitively identify an individual.
True
False
7. Natural fibers burn, while synthetic fibers tend to melt.
True
False
8. Describe two characteristics that forensic scientists examine when analyzing a hair sample.
9. Explain the difference between a natural fiber and a synthetic fiber, providing an example of each.
10. Label the following parts of the hair follicle based on the diagram:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Match the fiber characteristic to its description.
11. Cotton
a. Smooth, uniform, melts
12. Wool
b. Ribbon-like, twists, burns
13. Nylon
c. Scaly surface, crimped, burns