Hair Examination for DNA Analysis
April 27, 2007

Course Title: One Day Hair Examination Workshop for DNA Analysis
Presenter: Max Houck

The One Day Hair Analysis Workshop for DNA Analysts will provide attendees with the knowledge to allow judgment of hairs submitted for case analysis to establish appropriateness for DNA testing.  This course will establish a familiarity with the anatomy and growth of hair in order to provide participants with a basic understanding of the mechanism studied.  Participants will also become acquainted with methods of scene and suspect hair collection in criminal investigations so as to better comprehend procedures resulting in hair more viable for analysis.  This course will provide introductory microscopic education to prepare DNA experts with the technical knowledge needed to properly analyze submitted samples.  Participants will be introduced to the methods employed to determine the species, origin, and identifying characteristics of hairs making the DNA Analyst more proficient at deciding which samples are suitable for DNA testing submission.  Time will also be spent discussing the legal issues surrounding hair examination and its admissibility in courts providing participants with an awareness of issues that arise due to the collection, processing, and analysis of hairs.  The purpose of this course is to educate DNA analysts on the basic foundation of the hair analysis method so as to make better use of resources within the DNA lab.  By educating non-hair experts on identifying characteristics and specificities of hair, DNA analysts will be able to decipher which submitted case samples are apt to yield useful results when forwarded for DNA analysis.