OSAC	research	need	assessment	 v	1.0 1	

OSAC	Research	Need	Assessment	

Title	of	research	need: Date	posted:	

Keywords:	

Submitting	subcommittee(s):	

(If	SAC	review	identifies	additional	subcommittees,	add	them	to	the	box	above.)	

Background	information:

1. Description	of	research	need:

2. Key	bibliographic	references	relating	to	this	research	need:

3a.		In what	ways	would	the	research	results	improve	current	laboratory	capabilities?	

3b.		In what	ways	would	the	research	results	improve	understanding	of	the	scientific	basis	for	the	

subcommittee(s)?	

hair, mitochondrial, DNA, microscopic, trace evidence, association 

Jan.29.16

Trace/ Materials subcommittee

See attached file.

Evaluation of Combined Information Value of Microscopic Comparisons and Mitochondrial DNA Analysis for Hair Examinations

As many laboratories are eliminating microscopical hair comparisons, this research will show the value of conducting microscopical

 hair comparisons prior to DNA analysis and the necessity of using these as complimentary techniques

The basis of both scientific methodologies is understood however no current research exists using 

the methods in conjunction with each other on known samples. The proposed research would 

determine the discrimination power that can be achieved using the two methods together.

The current research on the correlation of microscopical characteristics of hairs and mitochondrial DNA 

only evaluates the results of casework samples where the sample source is not known [a]. Research needs to

 be conducted on evaluating the discriminatory ability of performing microscopical hair comparisons coupled with 

mitochondrial DNA where the true sample source is known. In order to be reliable, this research needs to be 

conducted by experienced and qualified forensic examiners (e.g. in accordance with the SWGMAT hair training

 guidelines). 

see title above
OSAC	research	need	assessment	 v	1.0 2	

3c.		In	what	ways	would	the	research	results	improve	services	to	the	criminal	justice	system?	

4. Priority	assessment	(I,	II,	III,	or	IV):

This	research	need	has	been	identified	by	one	or	more	subcommittees	of	OSAC	and	is	being	provided	as	an	

informational	resource	to	the	community.

Major gap	

in	current	

knowledge

Minor gap	

in	current	

knowledge

No current	

research	is	being	

conducted

I	 III	

Existing current	

research	is	being	

conducted

II IV	

//	 	 	 Approval	date:	

(Approval	is	by	majority	vote	of	subcommittee.		Once	approved,	forward	to	SAC.)

1. Does	the	SAC	agree	with	the	research	need?	 Yes							⃝							No							⃝			

2. Does	the	SAC	agree	with	the	priority	assessment? Yes								⃝							No							⃝		

If	no,	what	is	the	priority	assessment	of	the	SAC:

Approval	date:	

(Approval	is	by	majority	vote	of	SAC.		Once	approved,	forward	to	QIC	for	posting	to	KAVI.)	

Date	posted	to	KAVI:			

Subcommittee

SAC

QIC

I

Hair examinations are currently performed in many areas of the country and at this time questions are

arising to the significance of finding an association. This research would offer scientific foundation about

the ability to discriminate between individuals based on the microscopic characteristics of the hair and the

mitochondrial DNA in the hair. This research might improve the uncertainty of hair associations and provide

a better understanding of the limitations and capabilities of the findings.

I

01/29/16 (16 yes; 4 absent)
3

OSAC Research Need Assessment Appendix

Title of research need: Evaluation of Combined Information Value of Microscopic Comparisons

and Mitochondrial DNA Analysis for Hair Examinations

2. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need:

a. Houck, M. M., Budowle, B. (2002). Correlation	 of Microscopic and Mitochondrial DNA

Hair Comparisons.	 Journal of Forensic Sciences, 47, 964---967.

b. Bisbing, R. E., Wolner, M. F. (1984). Microscopical Discrimination of Twins’ Head Hair.

Journal of Forensic Sciences, 29, 780---786.

c. Linch, C. A., Smith, S. L., Prahlow, J. A. (1998). Evaluation of the human hair root for DNA

typing subsequent to microscopic comparison. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 43, 305---

314.

d. Linch,	 C.	 A.,	 Whiting,	 D.	 A.,	 Holland,	 M.	 M.	 (2001).			 Human	 hair	 histogenesis	 for	 the

mitochondrial DNA forensic scientist.	 Journal of Forensic Sciences, 46, 844---853.

e. Melton, T., Dimick, G., Higgins, B., Lindstrom, L., Nelson, K.	 (2005).	 Forensic

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of 691 casework hairs. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 50, 73---

80.

f. Roberts, K.A., Calloway, C. (2007).		 Mitochondrial DNA	 amplification success rate		as a

function of hair morphology.	 Journal of Forensic Sciences, 52, 40---47.

g. Sekiguchi,	 K., Hajime Sato,	 Kasai,	 K.	 (2004).	 Mitochondrial	 DNA	 heteroplasmy	 among

hairs from single individuals.