During a laboratory session for master's-level students in the specialty H6 "Veterinary Medicine," as part of the course "Forensic Veterinary Medicine," Associate Professor Volodymyr Lemishevskyi, CVSc, presented a methodology for identifying the taxonomic origin of animal hair.

 

Archival hair samples from various animal species were analyzed using both macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Linear measurements were obtained with a ruler and caliper, while hair thickness was assessed using specialized software in conjunction with a light microscope equipped with a digital camera. Alkaline hydrolysis was conducted in 20% sodium hydroxide solution, and cuticle imprints were prepared using "BF-6" adhesive, ensuring high-quality samples for further analysis.

The study was carried out in two stages:

Stage 1: Macroscopic Analysis
Students recorded the morphological characteristics of hair samples, including:

• Length, thickness, and overall shape (straight, curved, or spiral).
• Surface texture (smooth, scaly, or ribbed).
• Hair type (guard, undercoat, or intermediate).
• Cross-sectional shape (round, oval, or triangular).
• Root structure, focusing on follicle morphology.

Stage 2: Microscopic Analysis
The analysis focused on the following characteristics:

• Presence and distribution of pigment within the hair shaft.
• Medullary layer: presence or absence, and structural features.
• Cuticle scale pattern (arrangement classified as annular, serrated, or mosaic).

This laboratory session represented a significant advancement in students’ understanding of forensic veterinary medicine. The hands-on approach, combined with visual demonstration of the results, illustrated the effective integration of modern and traditional methodologies within the educational process.

Author of the publication Volodymyr LEMISHEVSKY, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Normal and Pathological Morphology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine

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