Taphonomic Alterations to Hair and Nail

Wilson, A. S.

doi:10.1002/9781118953358.ch6

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…): cuticle, cortex and the porous medulla often absent in finer hairs (Wilson ). The cuticle is responsible for the optical and frictional properties of the fibre (Wilson ) and is formed by flattened scales (Wilson and Tobin ). The middle layer (cortex) is mechanically the most significant and is made of elongated, interdigitated, spindle‐like cortical cells.…”

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…). The central core or medulla consists of cells filled with air, which can be continuous, discontinuous or absent (Wilson ). According to Wilson and Tobin (), the hair fibre contains (in decreasing amount): keratins, water, lipids (that provide a hydrophobic ‘barrier' which protects the cortex from an extreme environment), pigment granules and trace elements.…”

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Călin et al . ; Wilson ). The biological agents that can degrade keratin are the keratinolytic micro‐organisms and some insects (Tridico et al .…”

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their action manifests itself through the outer cuticle by penetrating it and leaving an ovoid hole with eroded margins. This process of ‘fungal tunnelling' is initially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hair shaft, after which it can track laterally, disrupting the cortex and medulla (Wilson and Tobin ; Wilson ). Although the biodegradation of hair through the fungal lytic activity has been approached in natural (Bertrand et al .…”

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Archaeological human hair in a burial context: Microscopical evaluation of samples from Iași, Romania (18th–19th centuries)

et al. 2020

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Owing to its resistance to degradation, hair is an important bio‐sample with unique properties used to study post mortem decompositional changes. The present paper is a microscopical approach to preserved human scalp hair discovered at the 18th–19th‐century archaeological site of Iași, Romania. The hair fibre alterations were assessed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, image analysis and hair histological scores. External alterations showed a statistically significant heterogeneous degradation. Image analysis results of the internal degradation of hairs were correlated to external lesions. The results consider the implication of intrinsic biological factors in the post mortem degradation of human hair preserved in graves with comparable environmental conditions.

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Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Călin et al . ; Wilson ). The biological agents that can degrade keratin are the keratinolytic micro‐organisms and some insects (Tridico et al .…”

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Archaeological human hair in a burial context: Microscopical evaluation of samples from Iași, Romania (18th–19th centuries)

et al. 2020

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“…Although studies have been undertaken in an attempt to understand environmental effects on antemortem hairs , and to characterize decomposing hairs , including the presence of postmortem root bands (PMRBs) , many questions remain regarding the formation of PMRBs in hair from deceased remains . Koch et al.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Timing and Appearance of Postmortem Root Banding in Nonhuman Mammals,

Richard

Hietpas

Buscaglia

et al. 2018

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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A study was undertaken using nonhuman mammal specimens to better understand environmental influences on postmortem hair root band (PMRB) formation and to see whether PMRBs would occur in nonhuman mammal hairs in a similar fashion to human hairs. Carcasses from surrounding roadways were the primary source of specimens for this study, augmented by donated deceased domestic pets. Sections of pelt from each specimen were placed in controlled environmental conditions while the remainder of the carcass was left in a secure outdoor setting. Hair samples were collected daily from outdoor and control specimens and examined for evidence of PMRBs. Several environmental factors were also recorded on a daily basis. Results demonstrate PMRBs can occur in nonhuman mammal hairs, and they have microscopic characteristics similar to human PMRBs. Factors found to correlate with PMRB formation include postmortem interval, temperature, pH, and the formation and subsequent volatilization of ammonia from the surrounding tissue.

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