Table 1.
Comparison of significant structural alterations observed in hair samples of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and LSD abusers. Percentage of alterations in hair samples are provided (%)
| Structural alterations | Healthy (%) | Cocaine (%) | Heroin (%) | Cannabis (%) | LSD (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortex | Intact (-) | Damaged (97.2) | Intact (-) | Intact (-) | Intact (-) |
| Fibre enlargements | - | Balloon-like (88.9) | - | Node-shaped (81) | - |
| Cuticle layer | Intact (-) | Disappeared (95.8) | Intact (-) | Intact (-) | Damaged (97.9) |
| Cuticle cells | Distinct (-) | - | Distinct (-) | Indistinct (83.3) | Distinct (-) |
| - | - | - | - | Lifted from hair shaft (97.9) | |
| - | - | Partially broken (100) | Intact (-) | Broken (95.8) | |
| - | - | Partially detached (100) | Associated (-) | Detached (95.8) | |
| Squamous debris on cuticle | ~ Absent (2.8) | Absent (-) | Present (95.8) | ~ Absent (4.8) | Present (97.9) |
| Pores on cuticle | Absent (-) | Absent (-) | Present (91.7) | Absent (-) | Absent (-) |
| Fibre fragility | Normal | Fragile | Normal | Normal | Fragile |
| Fibre diameter (μm) | 48-112 | (8-) 15-31 | >50 | >55 | 17-47 (-75) |