Learn more about the microscopy of hair than you really need to know. There is a great deal that can be learned by the microscopical study of human and animal hairs, and Kristen and Dick will show you how while you practice. You will learn about the biology and morphology of hair, critical microscopical techniques (medulla infiltration, scale casts, cross sections, mounting media, micrometry, and optical properties) and how to do a biological profile.

Bio Sketch
Kristen Partin gained her initial experience in a food microbiology laboratory. Since joining McCrone Associates as a research microscopist in 2000, she has contributed her special skills to the handling and manipulation of fine particles, sometimes particles as small as a few hundred nanometers. She was fortunate to have been mentored by Anna Teetsov and Barbara Blaum. As a result of research conducted in association with Chicago's Brookfield Zoo, some of her work on animal hair microscopy can be found at www.modernmicroscopy.com. Kristen has also been responsible for some of the photomicrography for McCrone's Atlas of Microscopic Particles (www.mccroneatlas.com).

Dick Bisbing has been with McCrone Associates since 1987 consulting in ultramicroanalysis and microscopy applied to manufacturing problems, contamination control, pollution, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, art, archaeology, and forensic science. For eighteen years prior, he was with the Michigan State Police crime laboratories. He has authored chapters on hairs for: Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, (Academic Press Ltd., London); Forensic Science Handbook, Volume I, 2nd edition (Prentice-Hall); Spitz and Fisher’s Medicolegal Investigation of Death, 4th Edition (Charles C. Thomas); and The Forensic Laboratory Handbook (Humana Press).