CSIRO PUBLISHING

Hair ID

An Interactive Tool for Identifying Australian Mammalian Hair

Hans Brunner
Barbara Triggs
Ecobyte Pty Ltd

Colour illustrations
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
2002

Hair ID is a powerful tool that greatly simplifies the task of identifying mammals from hair samples. It consists of a searchable database with information on the hair characteristics of over 100 Australian mammals, integrated with an extensive photographic library of hair samples. An educational module explains the structure of mammalian hair, the theory behind the hair analysis technique and methods for collecting and analysing samples.

With the aid of a microscope, hair samples can be identified by comparing their diagnostic characteristics with previously identified and referenced micro-photographs in the Hair ID database. Observed characteristics can be entered in any order to narrow down the options and arrive at a list of likely species.

Hair ID provides a practical and cost-effective means by which researchers, ecologists and environmental consultants can analyse mammalian hair samples for a range of purposes such as surveys of distribution patterns and dietary studies of predators.

Contact publishing.sales@csiro.au for multi-copy discounts and site licences.

Contains a searchable database with over 1000 identified and referenced microphotographs to aid analysis.
Provides profiles on the hair structure and appearance of 110 species of Australian mammals. Further species records can be added to the database as they become available.
Gives step-by-step illustrated instructions detailing best practice for collecting and analysing hair samples.

The Hair ID software consists of three main components:

Search Mode: allows you to search compare the observed structure of a hair sample against a database of photos and drawings, to narrow down the options and arrive at a list of likely species. Observed characteristics can be entered in any order.
Look Mode: contains species records with information on the hair structure and appearance of over 100 species of Australian mammals.
Learn Mode: explains the structure of mammalian hair and how it can be used as a diagnostic aid in identifying mammals, and gives step-by-step instructions on preparation and analysis of hair samples.

ecologists and environmental consultants
researchers involved in mammal distribution surveys
state and federal government agencies responsible for land and environmental management, particularly endangered species management.
forensic scientists interested in using the hair analysis identification technique

"Hair ID is a user-friendly program that is a valuable reference for anyone involved in managing, monitoring or surveying mammal fauna in Australia. It is also a very useful teaching tool for the collection and analysis of hair samples . . . The ease of use of Hair ID also allows for more rapid learning.
Bruce Mitchell, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales (Austral Ecology v.29 2004)

"Hair ID is a modern and excellent addition to the animal hair literature. It is simple, fast and flexible. An excellent training aid and reference, every forensic science laboratory and forensic educational program should own a copy of Hair ID… A wonderful part of the software allows the user to display an image they have collected from their microscope, enter it into the software's catalog, and then compare it with the references. New taxa and new reference images can be entered and become part of this virtual reference collection."
Max M. Houck, Director, Forensic Science Initiative, West Virginia University, USA (Journal of Forensic Science v.48 no.6 November 2003)

“This is a relatively inexpensive product which should be in the library of any forensic organisation and one which will find real use by the 'rapidly diminishing' worldwide band of forensic hair examiners.”
Dr James Robertson, Australian Federal Police

“This is an excellent resource. It is easy to use … the photomicrographs sharp and useful, the taxonomy up to date and the range of species adequate … I would strongly recommend this as a very useful tool for the researcher as well as in appropriate teaching programs.
Rob Wallis, Deakin University (Victorian Naturalist v.120 no.5 2003)

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