METHODOLOGICAL FEATURES OF RESEARCH ON A DOMESTIC DOG INTERMEDIATE HAIR

Abstract

Currently, offenses against animals, in particular, dogs are often committed. Many scientists developed theory and methodology to study animal hair. However, today there remained certain difficulties in establishing genus assignment and species of hair. It is noted that animal hair that belong to related genera is the most difficult to differentiate.

The Article purpose is to establish diagnostic features of an intermediate type of hair of an animal in order to trace its origin from a domestic dog.

Micro-objects similar to hair have been received for study. Objects were examined macroscopically and microscopically. The length was measured with a metal ruler, thickness was determined using an ocular screw micrometer MOV 1-16x on the “MIKMED-2-20” microscope with a binocular body. A cuticle imprint was obtained on the “BF-6” glue; thermochemical treatment (alkaline hydrolysis) was carried out in a 20% sodium hydroxide solution.

The established morphological structure of the objects under study confirms the fact that intermediate hair is somewhere in the middle between down and guard hairs with a different number of features specific to mentioned categories. Objects have features attributed to animal hair of the Canidae family: complex cuticle pattern, medulla begins at some distance from the root end, medulla thickness and the shape of medulla cells. Thus, one feature that is characteristic of guard hairs, namely a complex cuticle pattern in the form of various cones can give a forensic expert a reason to state that objects under study can originate from a domestic dog.

It can be concluded that in order to establish taxonomic identity of an intermediate hair in a domestic dog, it is necessary: 1) to determine features of guard hairs and signs of down hair in an object under study; 2) to identify and evaluate signs of guard hair (in this case, a specific cuticle pattern, medulla thickness) 3) to compare the information obtained while research with literature data and make a positive or negative conclusion.