Hair, mink

Photomicrograph of scale cast of mink hair (proximal region).

· Characteristic shape: basal one-third (root portion) of hair very fine, rapidly widening to four or five times basal diameter and then reducing to a pointed tip (spear-shaped)
· Scales: spinous (elongated-petal shape) through fine basal portion of hair, changing to imbricate through blade or shield portion
· Color: characteristically dark brown (other color phases possible)

Image courtesy of: Microscopy of Hair Part II: A Practical Guide and Manual for Animal Hairs Forensic Science Communications July 2004 - Volume 6 - Number 3.