HAIR ANALYSIS

Impact of Hair Analysis on Court Room Testimony

Abstract

Successful problem solving specifically crime investigation depends on collection and analysis of various kinds of evidence. Forensic science has long played a pivotal role in facilitating problem solving and decision making regarding crimes. One of the recent breakthroughs in this field is the forensic hair analysis. This paper aims at discussing the importance of hair analysis in forensic sciences and criminal investigations. It elaborates the impact of hair analysis on courtroom testimony with the help of different cases and examples.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Hair Analysis1

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectroscopy2

DNA Analysis3

Search for Drug Abuse3

Impact of DNA Analysis on Court Room Testimony3

Forensic Hair Analysis Cases4

Harry's Hair got him Behind Bars4

Warner v. Dion Idaho Contact5

The Court's testimony in the Case of Williamson5

Misinterpretation of George's DNA7

The Case of Isaac Jones8

Conclusion9

References10

Impact of Hair Analysis on Court Room Testimony

Introduction

The universe comprises of infinite specks and organisms. The atom, molecule, speck, and organism have a certain composition that originates the real and final shape. When it comes to human beings and other living organisms, the basic element that develops the eventual form and the outlook, of a being is the DNA. It's the DNA which decides how many fingers will person posses, the color of his eyes, the color of his hair and much more. In primitive times, when the understanding and technology regarding the DNA and that too degraded DNA was not that developed, the forensic cases were solved on mere witnesses rather than solid proofs. However, ever since the technology has developed, it has evolved the whole scenario of the crime investigation. Now, the DNA identification plays a significant role in helping the department not only to catch the culprit but also in acquitting the innocent ones (Watson, 2004).

Hair Analysis

The emergence of science in the field of criminology has enabled the forensic scientists to innovate more and more accurate methods to help elucidate the true about a crime. In the past, hair analysis was used mainly to assess the exposure to heavy metals. It gained popularity in the early 80's when ??the first research in the field of forensic toxicology was successful. This study was able to find the first concentrations of drugs of abuse in hair (Goodman, 1996).

The most significant advance in the field of forensic science after the identification through the fingerprints has been the research on DNA profile. It has been generally used by science examiner only during the last two decades.

The first case of using DNA for solving a crime occurred in 1986. The field has advances so much that now crime investigators can identify the color of hair, skin complexion and facial features from the DNA. In the recent time, hair has gained enormous importance as the on-site evidence. This piece of proof can be found on the victim, in his clothes, under the nails, brushes, in the place where the crime occurred, etc. Numerous cases have been resolved on the basis of fibers or strands of hair found at the crime ...