Question

the body of a woman was found in the woods. some hair fibers found on the body were sent to the crime lab for analysis. the ends of the hair attached to the body were gray, but showed that it had been dyed. the distance from the root of the hair to the beginning of the dyed area measured 8 mm. investigators determined that the victims hair had last been dyed on august 1, 2004. assuming the hair grows at a rate of 0.44 mm per day, approximately what date did the woman die? august 20, 2004 august 4, 2004 august 19, 2004 august 21, 2004

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the number of days

We know that the rate of hair growth is \(r = 0.44\) mm per day and the length of the new - grown hair (from the root to the start of the dyed area) is \(l=8\) mm. Using the formula \(t=\frac{l}{r}\), where \(t\) is the number of days.

$$t=\frac{8}{0.44}\approx18.18$$

Step2: Determine the date

The hair was last dyed on August 1, 2004. Adding approximately 18 days to August 1. August has 31 days. \(1 + 18=19\)

Answer:

August 19, 2004