[Species determination of mammals based on the hair cuticle pattern--a comparison of domestic mammals and their wild ancestors from the forensic viewpoint].

Based on a computer-assisted method, mammalian species were determined according to the cuticula pattern of guard hairs, comparing domesticated mammals and their wild parent species. The results obtained demonstrate that relevant species identification can only be done for the wild species, whereas this is prevented in the domesticated animals by the variety of breeds and the domestication defects included. The consequences related for a forensic use of hairs are discussed. With regard to this purpose it is not reasonable to use mammalian hairs for species determination, because of the high variations of most of the structural parameters of the hairs of domesticated mammals normally found in human habitants.