Scanning Electron Microscopic Characterization and Elemental Analysis of One Hair Located on the Face of the Turin Shroud

Abstract

As a contribution to the scientific knowledge of the Turin Shroud, we have studied by SEM-EDX a small hair fragment (14 × 9 μ) contained in a blood stain located in the Face between the two eyebrows. SEM study of this fragment shows the typical human scale hair pattern. EDX analysis of the fragment indicates that it is mainly made of organic matter, plus a little sulphur peak. The hair fragment was at both cut extremities with a razor blade formed of copper. Comparisons with present hairs of different sorts show that the hair fragment is a shaven down-hair. High-resolution SEM analysis of the pattern of residual melanosomes on the hair surface explains the blond-red colour of this hair observed in optical microscopy.