An improved method for the histological preparation of single hairs and dust samples--morphological and immunological examination.

An improved method of the serological and morphological investigation of human hair is reported. The hair was firmly fixed onto a microscopic slide with cellophane tape and observed microscopically to confirm the cuticula images and the presence of the medulla. A piece of the hair containing the medulla was dissected, embedded in paraffin, and a cross section of this hair was prepared. By treating the sample with immunohistochemistry (biotin-antibiotin ABC technique), the blood type of the hair was confirmed definitively. Dust containing shaved beard can be examined in the same way.