The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen Read Free Book Online

the
integration of the various BPD branches.
For homicide detectives, a visit to the crime lab was only a
walk down the hallway, to the south wing of the building.
In Hair and Fiber, Moore and Rizzoli watched as Erin
Volchko, a forensic scientist, sifted through her collection of
evidence envelopes. "All I had to work with was that single
hair," said Erin. "But it's amazing what one hair can tell you.
Okay, here it is." She'd located the envelope with Elena Ortiz's
case number, and now she removed a microscope slide. "I'll
just show you what it looks like under the lens. The numerical
scores are in the report."
"These numbers?" said Rizzoli, looking down at the long
series of scoring codes on the page.
"Correct. Each code describes a different characteristic of
hair, from color and curl to microscopic features. This
particular strand is an A01--a dark blond. Its curl is B01.
Curved, with a curl diameter of less than eighty. Almost, but
not quite, straight. The shaft length is four centimeters.
Unfortunately, this strand is in its telogen phase, so there's no
epithelial tissue adhering to it."
"Meaning there's no DNA."
"Right. Telogen is the terminal stage of root growth. This
strand fell out naturally, as part of the shedding process. In
other words, it was not yanked out. If there were epithelial cells
on the root, we could use their nuclei for DNA analysis. But
this strand doesn't have any such cells."
Rizzoli and Moore exchanged looks of disappointment.
"But," added Erin, "we do have something here that's pretty
damn good. Not as good as DNA, but it might hold up in court
once you nail a suspect. It's too bad we don't have any hairs
from the Sterling case to compare." She focused the
microscope lens, then scooted aside. "Take a look."
The scope had a teaching eyepiece, so both Rizzoli and
Moore could examine the slide simultaneously. What Moore
saw, peering through the lens, was a single strand beaded
with tiny nodules.
    "What are the little bumps?" said Rizzoli. "That's not normal.
"
"Not only is it abnormal, it's rare," said Erin. "It's a condition
called Trichorrhexis invaginata, otherwise known as `bamboo
hair.' You can see how it gets its nickname. Those little
nodules make it look like a stalk of bamboo, don't they?"
    "What are the nodules?" asked Moore.
"They're focal defects in the hair fiber. Weak spots which
allow the hair shaft to fold back on itself, forming a sort of ball
and socket. Those little bumps are the weak spots, where the
shaft has telescoped on itself, making a bulge."
    "How do you get this condition?"
"Occasionally it can develop from too much hair
processing. Dyes, permanents, that sort of thing. But since
we're most likely dealing with a male unsub, and since I see
no evidence of artificial bleaching, I'm inclined to say this is
not due to processing, but to some sort of genetic
abnormality."
"Like what?"
"Netherton's Syndrome, for instance. That's an autosomal
recessive condition that affects keratin development. Keratin
is a tough, fibrous protein found in hair and nails. It's also the
outer layer of our skin."
"If there's a genetic defect, and the keratin doesn't develop
normally, then the hair is weakened?"
Erin nodded. "And it's not just the hair that can be affected.
People with Netherton's Syndrome may have skin disorders
as well. Rashes and flaking."
"We're looking for a perp with a bad case of dandruff?"
said Rizzoli.
"It may be even more obvious than that. Some of these
patients have a severe form known as icthyosis. Their skin
can be so dry it looks like the hide of an alligator."

Rizzoli laughed. "So we're looking for reptile man! That
should narrow down the search."
"Not necessarily. It's summertime."
"What does that have to do with it?"
"This heat and humidity improves skin dryness. He may
look entirely normal this time of year."
Rizzoli and Moore glanced at each other, simultaneously
struck by the same thought.

Both victims were slaughtered during the