Light Microscopic Study Of Indigenous Ghanaian Female Scalp Hair With Respect To Styling Procedures

ABSTRACT Background: Microscopic examination of hair has been useful in personal identification in the forensic sciences for years. However, increasing artificial modification of scalp hair, especially by women for the purposes of beautification, threatens its relevance in this vein. Microscopic characterization of such hair could provide reference data that could help maintain its usefulness in personal identification in the forensic sciences and other areas. Aim: The study determined the effect(s) of artificial modification on the microscopic structure of scalp hair. Methodology: 480 hairs, obtained from five scalp areas of 96 indigenous Ghanaian females, were categorized into 3 groups (Natural unstyled, Natural styled and Relaxed styled) based on the modifications the hairs had been subjected to. The hairs were then prepared for light microscopy and microscopic features were examined. Results: Shaft diameter decreased from Relaxed styled hair to Natural styled hair. The vertex had the largest shaft diameter and the right temporal, the smallest. The highest incidence of continuous medullation was recorded in the Natural styled group and the lowest, in the Relaxed styled group which also had the fragmentary type of medulla dominating. Both medullary diameters and indices increased from Relaxed styled to Natural unstyled. A positive Pearson’s correlation between shaft and medullary diameters existed for Natural unstyled (r=0.320, p=0.011) and Natural styled hair (r=0.235, p =0.022) but not Relaxed styled (r=0.122, p =0.2). The order of decreasing scale integrity was Natural unstyled, Natural styled and Relaxed styled. Proximal shafts had well preserved scale characteristics than distal shafts. Conclusion: Hairs subjected to different styling procedures have microscopic characteristics with which they can be distinguished.