JPAFMAT, 2002, Vol.

: 2; ISSN - 0972 - 5687

A STUDY OF VARIATIONS IN SOME MORPHOLOGICAL

FEATURES OF HUMAN HAIR
DR. O.P. JASUJA, Reader & Head
MS. MINAKSHI, Research Scholar
Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002

ABSTRACT:
The hair, though found as trace evidence in almost all types of criminal cases such as sexual
offences etc., its value is not considered as more than corroborative. This is the type of the evidence,
which has given rise to differing views on their value as an evidence to a great extent. In present paper, an
attempt has been made to study the variations in human scalp hair. The hair samples have been collected
from various parts of the scalp and hair diameter and medulla type and diameter have been studied. It
has been found that these features vary not only in the hair from two different individuals and two different
areas of the scalp but also in the hair of the same area of an individual.
KEYWORDS : Human hair, Hair index, Morphology of hair.

INTRODUCTION:

variations are also very irregular (Robertson,1982;

Aitken and Robertson, 1986,87). Das Chaudhuri
(1976) took scalp hair samples from 17 pairs of
twins and 1 set of identical triplets for a blind study
to evaluate the significance of the forensic hair
comparison and with a sufficient quantity of hair,
the hair from each twin could be discriminated by
using common microscopic characteristics. On the
contrary, Sharma et al(2002) studied scalp hair of
25 twin pairs and compared those findings with
general population and found no significant
difference in their morphological features . Banerjee
and Bhattacharya (1978) examined the sex
difference in histological characteristics of human
hair. 25 adult males and females were studied for
various morphological features and the findings
were presented in the form of indices. Robertson
(1982) reported a range of microscopic characters
of hair with suggestions aimed at improving the
objectivity of hair examination. He suggests a large
scale trials and the collection of population data
for this. He described a number of features which

Hair is commonly encountered in almost all

criminal cases involving sexual offences etc. It may
reveal information as species, race, sex and site of
origin which is very useful f rom personal
identification point. In addition, infectious diseases
and morphological and biochemical characteristics
of hair, help to identify an individual conclusively.
Hair, being skeletonised tissue are least
affected by various environmental conditions as
compared to the other bodily tissues; it remains
unchanged for a very long period, thus is of great
forensic significance.
Hair has a distinct specialized anatomical
structure. In forensic examination of hair, the
morphological features which are primarily based
on the detailed microscopic observations of the
three components i.e. cuticle, cortex and medulla,
play a very important role. But it is observed by
various workers that the features from these
morphological parameters are not consistent and
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JPAFMAT, 2002, Vol.: 2; ISSN - 0972 - 5687

are responsible for the difficulty in improving the

discriminating power of hair examination as
following :

micrometer until the starting lines of both scales

coincide. Found another point, where two other
division lines were exactly superimposed. Counted
the number of divisions on the ocular micrometer
and the corresponding length on the stage
micrometer scale, in order to determine the length
that was equivalent to one division on the ocular
micrometer scale. In this way, various
measurements for hair diameter and medulla
diameter were made and indices were calculated
as following,

(a) The microscopic features of hair are

difficult to assess in an objective way.
(b) There is considerable variation in features
within a sample of hair taken from one individual :
intra individual variation may be as great as the
inter-individual variation.
(c) There is little background data relating to
the frequency of occurence of different features in
hair.

Hair Index : It is the ratio between the lesser

diameter of the hair and the greater diameter of
the hair multiplied by 100. (Chowdhuri 1963)

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

Minimum diameter of hair

Ten Scalp hair from each of 50 individuals

(25 male and 25 females) of Rajput community
were collected by the pull out method.

Hair Index = ---------------------------- x 100

Maximum diameter of hair

These ten hair strands were taken from five

different places of scalp, two from each place like
Frontal, Temporal left, Temporal Right, Vertex
Anterior, Vertex Posterior. Minimum and maximum
age of the individuals from whom samples were
collected was 17 yrs. and 40 yrs respectively. For
microscopic examination hair were properly
cleaned to remove dust, oil and greasy material
and mounted on the microscopic slides. A
microscope with an ocular micrometer to measure
various observation was used. The scale was
calibrated using a stage micrometer, consisting of
a glass slide of usual size, upon which a scale was
engraved , 2 mm long in 0.1 and 0.01 mm divisions.
The ocular micrometer consisted of a small disc of
glass, across the diameter of which a 100 line scale
was engraved. The disc was placed into the
eyepiece.

Medullary Index : Medullary Index is the ratio

between the mean diameter of the medulla and
the mean diameter of the hair shaft.
Diameter of the Medulla
"Medullary Index" =-----------------------------x 100
Diameter of the whole hair shaft
In addition to these measurements, medulla
types were also observed in each hair sample as
following,
Continuous Type : In this type the medulla is
continuous throughout the length of hair shaft
without any break. The column of medullary cells
is unbroken.
Discontinuous Type : Here the medulla is found
to be discontinuous and broken after some length
of the hair shaft. Column of the medullary cells is
broken at intervals.

Calibration of the Ocular Micrometer : Placed

the ocular micrometer scale in the eyepiece of the
microscope. Put the stage micrometer on the
microscope stage and focused on the scale
divisions. Both scales were sharply defined in the
field of view. Turned the eyepiece to place the
scales in a parallel position and moved the stage

Fragmented Type : In this case medulla occur at

widely spaced intervals along the shaft either in
the form of small dots.
Absent Type : When the medulla is absent
throughout the length of hair shaft then the hair is
classified as absent.
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JPAFMAT, 2002, Vol.: 2; ISSN - 0972 - 5687

OBSERVATIONS
Table I : Hair shaft diameter () (female in parenthesis)
Frontal Hair

Temporal right

Temporal left

Vertex anterior

Vertex posterior

Max

38.071
(36.91)

37.514
(36.48)

39.0
(39.76)

47.305
(41.02)

41.031
(40.01)

42.141
(45.68)

38.458
(39.83)

40.733
(40.62)

43.271
(39.40)

44.014
(39.73)

Min

13.52
(20.06)

14.3
(21.52)

17.95
(20.96)

18.68
(23.25)

14.62
(22.18)

13.0
(14.62)

10.941
(22.1)

13.0
(17.47)

23.028
(20.39)

14.625
(14.62)

Mean

27.975
(29.14)

27.739
(28.98)

29.504
(30.63)

28.480
(29.72)

29.535
(29.90)

28.232
(29.49)

27.967
(29.83)

26.676
(28.92)

28.368
(29.75)

28.363
(29.37)

Std

6.573
(4.354)

4.997
(4.801)

5.666
(4.189)

6.696
(4.819)

6.378
(4.553)

7.253
(7.515)

6.650
(4.875)

7.480
(5.162)

4.741
(5.024)

6.565
(5.295)

SEM

1.315
(0.871)

0.999
(0.960)

1.133
(0.838)

1.339
(0.964)

1.276
(0.911)

1.451
(1.503)

1.330
(0.975)

1.496
(1.032)

0.948
(1.005)

1.313
(1.059)

Table II: Frequency of individual showing one type of medulla in hair (N = 500)
Type of medulla

Male

Female

Continuous

42 (16.8%)

18 (7.2%)

Discontinuous

47 (18.8%)

33 (13.2%)

Fragmented

39 (15.6%)

51 (20.4%)

Absent

122 (48.8%)

148 (59.2%)

Table III: Medulla diameter (female in parenthesis)

Frontal Hair
Max

Min

Mean

Std

SEM

Temporal right

Temporal left

Vertex anterior

Vertex posterior

13.0

10.643

13.975

11.05

12.2

12.35

11.44

14.056

11.916

16.64

(9.75 )

(12.51)

(11.13)

(9.88 )

(8.12)

(10.79)

(12.67 )

(13.32)

(10.4)

(12.13)

3.12

3.15

3.087

1.95

4.441

3.25

1.516

3.9

1.95

4.94

(2.73)

(2.73 )

(3.12)

(1.73)

(3.38)

(2.05)

(2.6 )

(4.17)

(3.25)

(2.92 )

8.001

7.105

6.931

6.531

7.105

7.244

7.731

7.377

6.140

8.723

(6.53)

(6.60)

(6.29)

(5.88)

(5.51)

(6.26)

(6.28 )

(7.53 )

(7.22)

(5.98)

2.640

2.207

2.828

2.721

2.061

3.424

2.990

3.422

2.966

3.484

(2.037)

(3.207)

(2.692)

(2.229)

(1.601)

(3.247)

(2.781)

(2.663)

(2.234)

(3.174)

0.528

0.441

0.566

0.544

0.412

0.685

0.598

0.684

0.593

0.697

(0.407 )

(0.641 )

(0.538 )

(0.446)

(0.320 )

(0.649 )

(0.556)

(0.533)

(0.447 )

(0.635)

JPAFMAT, 2002, Vol.: 2; ISSN - 0972 - 5687

TABLE IV Medullary index (female in parenthesis)

Frontal Hair
Max

Min

Mean

Std

SEM

Temporal right

Temporal left

Vertex anterior

Vertex posterior

0.5

0.454

0.382

0.274

0.297

0.344

0.335

0.406

0.371

0.383

(0.301)

(0.357)

(0.335)

(0.323)

(0.305)

(0.287)

(0.311)

(0.292)

(0.305)

(0.3)

0.145

0.114

0.132

0.075

0.135

0.123

0.097

0.143

0.075

0.190

(0.099)

(0.106)

(0.107)

(0.071)

(0.131)

(0.077)

(0.097)

(0.146)

(0.100)

(0.113)

0.270

0.246

0.226

0.202

0.210

0.230

0.247

0.235

0.203

0.275

(0.225)

(0.212)

(0.195)

(0.204

(0.199)

(0.192)

(0.176)

(0.235)

(0.207)

(0.187)

0.092

0.085

0.064

0.055

0.039

0.077

0.065

0.093

0.095

0.064

(0.058)

(0.082)

(0.073)

(0.066)

(0.049)

(0.079)

(0.060)

(0.049)

(0.066)

(0.055)

0.018

0.017

0.013

0.011

0.008

0.015

0.013

0.019

0.019

0.013

(0.012)

(0.016)

(0.015)

(0.013)

(0.010)

(0.016)

(0.012)

(0.010)

(0.013)

(0.011)

Table: V Hair index (female in parenthesis)

Frontal Hair
Max

Min

Mean

Std

SEM

Temporal right

100.0

92.5

100.0

(97.5 )

(97.59 )

50.0

100.0

Temporal left

Vertex anterior

Vertex posterior

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

(100.0 ) (95.23)

(80.0 )

( 92.5 )

( 87.5)

(95.23)

( 87.5 )

(100.0)

51.28

25.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

30.0

62.5

33.33

33.33

(40.0 )

(33.33 )

(33.33 )

(33.89 )

( 25.0 )

(33.89)

(36.36)

( 50.0)

(33.33)

(50.0)

71.33

72.52

68.55

72.05

73.96

75.06

73.28

80.67

77.17

74.47

(64.53 )

(63.42 )

(64.72)

(65.79 )

( 64.28 ) ( 63.23)

( 61.33)

( 68.57) (61.87)

(70.29)

13.64

12.76

17.69

15.70

14.46

17.70

13.38

17.98

16.90

(12.87 )

(16.41 )

(12.79)

(14.02 )

( 11.17 ) (15.75 )

(12.74 )

( 11.22)

( 13.7)

(12.77)

2.72

2.55

3.53

3.14

2.89

2.88

3.54

2.67

3.59

3.38

(2.57)

(3.28)

(2.55 )

(2.80)

( 2.23 )

( 3.15 )

( 2.54 )

(2.24 )

(2.74)

(2.55)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

14.40

hair are given in the Table I. Two hair strands are

taken from each of Frontal, Temporal Right,

Keeping Robertson's (1982) findings in view,

variations in different

Temporal Left, Vertex Anterior, Vertex Posterior

morphological features of human scalp hair has

parts of scalp. Range of shaft diameter in male

been studied. Hair diameter, medulla diameter of

scalp hair is 13.0 to 47.305 with a mean of

males and females scalp hair were measured. Hair

27.975 and standard deviation 6.573 . While

index, medullary index were calculated from these

the range of shaft diameter in female scalp hairs

measurements. Medulla types in the scalp hair of

14.625 to 45.685 with mean of 29.973 and

both the sexes also noted. All the results are given

standard deviation 7.005.

in the present study

in Table I-V.

It was observed that even if comparison of

two hair strands form the same site of the same

Shaft diameter of males and females' scalp

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JPAFMAT, 2002, Vol.: 2; ISSN - 0972 - 5687

individual is done, it shows variations from each

only from one population to another but also vary

other. Its minimum shaft diameter was found to be

in different age group of the same population. The

13.52 while the maximum 38.071 with mean

present study shows that there is no one particular

value of 25 hair strands is 27.975 6.573. Range

type of medulla in all the hair of one person. It may

of shaft diameter of 10 hair strands within the same

vary from individual to individual and even from

individual is 22.75 to 39 in sample I, It is 15.75

hair to hair of the same person. This finding may

to 30.875 in sample II, 14.3 to 26 in sample

of indicative that the presence of the medulla may

III. Range of shaft diameter of 25 hair strands from

be related with the stage of the growth of a

the same part of the scalp in 25 different individuals

particular hair and further work is being done in

is 13.52 to 38.071 (Frontal) 17.95 to 39

this direction.

(Vertex Anterior) 14.62 to 41.031 (Vertex

Medulla diameter of male and female scalp

Posterior) 13 to 42.141 (2nd hair of vertex

hair are given in the Table III. The medulla diameter

posterior) 13 to 40.733 (Temporal Left) and

of male scalp hairsranges from 1.516 to 14.392,

14.625 to 44.014 (Temporal Right). Similar

with a mean of 8.903 4.461. The range of

variations present in the values of shaft diameter

medulla diameter of female scalp hair 1.733 to

of female scalp hair. Hair, whether they are taken

13.225 with mean 9.888 3.827. As evident

from same individual or different individuals,

from the table that medulla diameter varies in the

whether from male or female, whether from the

hair not only from the same site of the scalp in the

same part of the scalp or from different parts of

same person as well as in different persons also.

the scalp, presents different values of shaft

Medullary index ranges from 0.075 to 0.459

diameter. It shows the considerable variations in

and 0.071 to 0.357 in the hair form male and female

features within the sample of hair taken from one

respectively. Range of medullary index in the hairs

individual, and from different individual. similar type

of the same person is 0.2 to 0.5 in sample I, 0.268

of observations have been made by Choudhuri

to 0.454 in sample II, 0.075 to 0.264 IV, so on and

1963, Bhatia et. al 1971, Bhattacharya 1972, 1975,

forth as given in table IV. Medullary index of two

Banerjee and Bhattacharya 1978, Robertson 1982,

hair taken from the same part of the scalp (frontal)

Richard 1984, Aitken and Robertson 1986.

is 0.5 and 0.29. Vertex Anterior 0.122 and 0.195,

Frequency of medulla types in male and

Temporal Right 0.268 and 0.268 with in the same

female scalp hair are given in Table II. Frequency

individual. One hair strand from same part of scalp

of absent type of medulla is maximum both in males

i.e. Frontal from 25 different individuals shows

and females. In males, mixed type of medulla was

different values of medullary index both in male

found minimum while it was discontinuous type in

and female respectively. Result shows both inter

females. Hair stands from 25 individuals also show

as well as intra individual variation in medullary

variations in the types of medulla in the similar way.

index.

All types of medulla (Continuous, Discontinuous,

Hair index is shown in Table V. Hair index

Fragmented, Absent and Mixed) present in the 10

ranges from 25 to 100, in male scalp hair and 25

strands of same person and one strand from each

to 100 in female scalp hair. Hair from same part of

of 25 individuals. Kaur and kumar (2000) has

scalp has large number of variations with a mean

reported that Medulla types show variations not

5

JPAFMAT, 2002, Vol.: 2; ISSN - 0972 - 5687

of 61.965 to 95.00 6.455 to 17.985 in males,

4.

Bhatia, R.Y.P, Rao, K.V.S and Visveswara,

and in female with a mean of 54.371 to 75.963

Rao, K.V. : Significance of

6.492 to 18.390 in same person and in different

morphological characters in positive

individuals. Hair index have also been studied by

identification of human scalp hair, Police

Chowdhuri (1963) to determine the site of body.

Research and Development, Oct.- Dec.-

Bhatia et. al (1971) and Bhatia (1972) has

1971.

attempted to study the sex of the individual from

5.

some

Bhatia, R.Y.P, Rao, K.V.S and Rao, K.V. :

hair index.

Some aspects of Morphological examination

CONCLUSION:

and individualisation of human scalp hair,

Journal of the Indian Academy of Forensic

Hair from various parts of the scalp of 25

Sciences, 1972; 11(2) : 31-36.

males and 25 females have been collected to study

6.

intra as well as inter-personal variations in various

Bhattacharya B : A new method of graphical

morphological features of the human scalp hair and

representation of the variation of hair

found that the variations in these features are

diameter from root to tip : its role in the

difficult to define. It was found that the variations

determination of site, Journal of the Indian

were present not only in the hair from different

Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1972; 11(1)

individuals but also from the same individual. Not

: 21-23.
7.

even this, but these variations were also present

Bhattacharya B. : Quadruple Medulla in

in the hair from the same area of the scalp of the

human hair, Journal of the Indian Academy

same individual. Though no attempt is made to

of Forensic Sciences, 1975; 41(1) 1.

manipulate the present findings, it is suggested to

8.

Chowdhuri, S. : Importance of different

take utmost care while interpreting the findings from

indices in the morphological examination of

these morphological features of the hair.

hair, Journal of the Indian Academy of

Forensic Sciences, 1963 : 2 : 37-41.

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1.

9.

Aitken, C.G.G. and Robertson, J. : The Value

structure of human hair medulla, Human

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Heredity, 1976; 26, 167-170.

head hair : statistical analysis of questionnaire

10.

returns, Journal of Forensic Sciences 1986;

Punjab, J. Human Ecology, 2000, 11(6):483-

Aitken, C.G.G. and Robertson,J.: A

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and human hairs, Journal of Forensic

Robertson, J.: An appraisal of the use of

microscopic data in examination of human

Sciences, 1987; 32(3) : 684-689.

3.

Kaur,G and Kumar,M.: Medulla types of hair:

a study of the Brahmin and Rajputs of the

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Das-Chaudhuri, A.B. : A Twin study of the

head hair, Journal of Forensic Science

Banerjee A.R. and Bhattacharrya, B.C. : Sex

Society, 1982; 22, 390-395

differences in histological characteristics of

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human hair, Journal of the Indian Academy

Sharma, R., Jasuja O.P. and Kumar, M : Twins

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