Hair Analysis Course

Lesson 1 • Hair Growth Cycle Phases

Details anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen phases and their typical durations. Cycle knowledge is essential for interpreting shedding patterns and density changes.

Lesson 2 • Hair Follicle Structure and Function

Covers the anatomy of the follicle, including the dermal papilla, matrix, and sheaths. Provides the structural foundation needed for all subsequent analytical work.

Lesson 3 • Scalp Skin Anatomy

Reviews scalp layers, blood supply, and nerve distribution relevant to hair health. Scalp condition directly influences follicle performance and analysis outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Hair Shaft Composition and Layers

Examines the cuticle, cortex, and medulla layers and their chemical composition. Understanding shaft structure enables accurate interpretation of damage and treatment effects.

Lesson 1 • Sampling Site Selection and Mapping

Defines standardized scalp zones and criteria for selecting representative sampling sites. Consistent site selection reduces variability and supports valid comparisons across sessions.

Lesson 2 • Slide and Mount Preparation

Details mounting media selection, coverslip application, and orientation standards for microscopic slides. Proper mounting prevents artifact and ensures consistent optical quality.

Lesson 3 • Specimen Labeling and Chain of Custody

Establishes labeling conventions, container selection, and documentation for traceability. Chain-of-custody integrity is critical for forensic, clinical, and research applications.

Lesson 4 • Cleaning and Decontamination Protocols

Covers washing procedures to remove external contaminants without altering intrinsic hair chemistry. Decontamination is essential before elemental or chemical analysis.

Lesson 1 • Light Microscopy for Hair Examination

Covers brightfield and polarized light microscopy setup, magnification selection, and slide preparation. Microscopy reveals cuticle damage, cortical defects, and pigment distribution.

Lesson 2 • Macroscopic Hair Assessment Techniques

Teaches visual and tactile evaluation of hair before instrument use. Macroscopic findings guide selection of appropriate analytical tools and sampling strategies.

Lesson 3 • Digital Imaging and Measurement Tools

Covers digital cameras, trichogram software, and image analysis platforms for quantitative hair measurement. Digital tools standardize data collection and enable longitudinal tracking.

Lesson 4 • Scanning Electron Microscopy Applications

Explains SEM specimen preparation, imaging parameters, and surface topography interpretation. SEM provides high-resolution cuticle and cortex data unavailable through light microscopy.

Lesson 1 • Root Morphology and Telogen Indicators

Examines root bulb shape, pigmentation, and sheath attachment to determine growth phase at collection. Root morphology reveals shedding causes and follicle health status.

Lesson 2 • Cuticle Pattern Analysis

Teaches identification of scale type, lift angle, and damage patterns on the cuticle surface. Cuticle condition reflects chemical exposure, mechanical stress, and environmental damage.

Lesson 3 • Artifact Recognition and Avoidance

Distinguishes preparation artifacts from genuine hair features to prevent misidentification. Artifact awareness is essential for maintaining analytical accuracy and credibility.

Lesson 4 • Medulla Morphology Classification

Identifies continuous, fragmented, absent, and lattice medulla patterns and their analytical significance. Medulla type aids species differentiation and supports forensic comparisons.

Lesson 1 • Digestion and Sample Preparation for ICP

Covers acid digestion, microwave-assisted dissolution, and dilution protocols for ICP analysis. Correct preparation prevents contamination and ensures accurate elemental quantification.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Elemental Analysis

Explains how hair incorporates minerals and trace elements from blood during growth. Elemental concentration reflects systemic exposure over the growth period represented by the sample.

Lesson 3 • Drug and Toxicant Detection in Hair

Covers immunoassay screening and confirmatory chromatographic methods for detecting drugs and toxicants. Segmental analysis localizes exposure timing along the hair shaft.

Lesson 4 • Interpreting Chemical Analysis Reports

Teaches systematic reading of laboratory reports, including units, reference ranges, and uncertainty values. Accurate interpretation prevents over- or under-reporting of exposure findings.

Lesson 1 • Scarring Alopecia Recognition

Covers loss of follicular openings, perifollicular scaling, and fibrosis signs in scarring alopecias. Early recognition prevents irreversible follicle destruction through timely referral.

Lesson 2 • Telogen Effluvium Identification

Identifies diffuse shedding patterns, telogen root ratios, and trigger history consistent with telogen effluvium. Distinguishing acute from chronic forms guides analytical interpretation.

Lesson 3 • Androgenetic Alopecia Analysis

Covers trichoscopic and microscopic markers of androgenetic alopecia, including miniaturization and vellus shift. Standardized grading scales are applied to quantify severity.

Lesson 4 • Overview of Alopecia Categories

Introduces non-scarring and scarring alopecia categories and their distinguishing features. Correct categorization directs subsequent analytical steps and referral decisions.

Lesson 1 • Forensic Evidence Collection Standards

Establishes protocols for collecting hair evidence at scenes while maintaining legal admissibility. Proper collection prevents contamination and supports chain-of-custody documentation.

Lesson 2 • Human versus Animal Hair Differentiation

Teaches morphological criteria for distinguishing human from animal hair using microscopic features. Accurate differentiation is foundational to forensic hair comparison and case assessment.

Lesson 3 • Forensic Hair Comparison Methods

Covers class characteristic comparison, microscopic matching criteria, and the limits of morphological comparison. Students apply consistent terminology and avoid overstating conclusions.

Lesson 4 • Expert Witness Reporting Standards

Develops skills for writing forensic hair analysis reports and presenting findings in legal proceedings. Reports must be objective, reproducible, and free of speculative language.

Lesson 1 • Forensic Case Reconstruction

Reconstructs forensic scenarios using morphological comparison, segmental chemical data, and DNA findings. Students practice defensible conclusion writing under evidentiary constraints.

Lesson 2 • Case Study Methodology and Workflow

Establishes a systematic workflow for approaching multi-method hair analysis cases from intake to report. A structured approach ensures no analytical step is omitted or sequenced incorrectly.

Lesson 3 • Peer Review and Quality Assurance

Introduces peer review processes and quality assurance checks for hair analysis reports. Students identify errors, apply corrections, and internalize standards for professional-grade output.

Lesson 4 • Occupational and Environmental Exposure Cases

Analyzes elemental hair profiles from occupational or environmental exposure scenarios. Students identify exposure patterns, assess severity, and recommend follow-up actions.