Fibers

1. Are considered class evidence

2. Have probative value

3. Are common trace evidence at a crime scene

4. Can be characterized based on comparison of both physical and chemical properties

Fabric1. Fabric is made of fibers.

2. Fibers are made of twisted filaments.

3. Types of fibers and fabric:

- Natural—animal, vegetable, or inorganic

- Artificial—synthesized or created from altered natural sources

Types of Fibers

Synthetic

Rayon

Nylon

Acetate

Acrylic

Spandex

Polyester

Natural

Silk

Cotton

Wool

Mohair

Cashmere

Classification

Natural fibers are classified according to their origin:

1.Vegetable or cellulose

2.Animal or protein

3.Mineral

Cellulose Fibers1. Cotton—vegetable fiber;

strong, tough, flexible, moisture-absorbent, not shape-retentive

2. Rayon—chemically altered cellulose; soft, lustrous, versatile

3. Cellulose acetate—cellulose that is chemically altered to create an entirely new compound not found in nature

Fiber ComparisonDescribe the difference(s) between the cotton

on the left and the rayon on the right.

Protein Fibers1. Wool—animal fiber coming

most often from sheep, but may be goat (mohair), rabbit (angora), camel, alpaca, llama, or vicuña

2. Silk—insect fiber that is spun by a silkworm to make its cocoon; the fiber reflects light and has insulating properties

Mineral Fibers1. Asbestos—a natural fiber

that has been used in fire-resistant substances

2. Rock wool—a manufactured mineral fiber

3. Fiberglass—a manufactured inorganic fiber

Synthetic FibersMade from derivatives ofpetroleum, coal, and natural

gas.

1.Nylon—most durable of man-made fibers; extremely lightweight

2.Polyester—most widely used man-made fiber

3.Acrylic—provides warmth from a lightweight, soft, and resilient fiber

4.Spandex—extreme elastic properties

Man-made Fibers

Fibers derived from either natural or synthetic polymers

–Regenerated Fibers

–Synthetic Fibers

Summary Questions:

Read p. 128-135 in the textbook1)Why are fibers valuable at a crime scene?2)How do fibers have probative value?3)How are fabrics made?4)What are the different characteristics of a fiber, a filament & a fabric?5)Are inorganic fibers natural or synthetic? Name two.

Fabric Production

1. Fabrics are composed of individual threads or yarns that are made of fibers and are knitted, woven, bonded, crocheted, felted, knotted, or laminated.

2. Most are either woven or knitted.

3. The degree of stretch, absorbency, water repellence, softness, and durability are all individual qualities of the different fabrics.

Weave Terminology1. Yarn—a continuous strand of

fibers or filaments that may be twisted together

2. Warp—lengthwise yarn

3. Weft—crosswise yarn

4. Blend—a fabric made up of two or more different types of fibers

Weave Patterns

Plain Weave

1. The simplest and most common weave pattern

2. The warp and weft yarns pass under each other alternately

3. Design resembles a checkerboard

Twill Weave1. The warp yarn is

passed over one to three weft yarns before going under one.

2. Makes a diagonal weave pattern.

3. Design resembles stair steps.

4. Denim is one of the most common examples.

Satin Weave

1. The yarn interlacing is not uniform

2. Creates long floats

3. Interlacing weave passes over four or more yarns

4. Satin is the most obvious example

Knitted Fabric1. Knitted fabrics are made

by interlocking loops into a specific arrangement.

2. It may be one continuous thread or a combination.

3. The yarn is formed into successive rows of loops and then drawn through another series of loops to make the fabric.

Polymers1. Synthetic fibers are made of polymers, which are long

chains of repeating chemical units.

2. The word polymer means many (poly) units (mer).

3. The repeating units of a polymer are called monomers.

4. By varying the chemical structure of the monomers or by varying the way they are joined together, polymers are created that have different properties.

5. As a result of these differences, they can be distinguished from one another forensically.

Filament Cross Sections1. Synthetic fibers are forced out of a nozzle when

they are hot, and then they are woven.

2. The holes of the nozzle are not necessarily round; therefore, the fiber filament may have a unique shape in cross section.

Round 4-lobed

Octalobal

Irregular

Multi-lobedor Serrate

Trilobal

Dogbone orDumbbell

Summary Questions:Read p. 136-143 in the text1)What is the monomer of a polymer?2)What is the monomer of wool? In silk? In cotton?3)List four synthetic fibers.4)What is the most common natural fiber used in textiles? The most common synthetic fiber?5)Why does wool have a distinctive smell when it is burned?6)How is silk produced7)Why is silk a simpler structure than wool?8)What is rayon?9)How are acetate fibers made? What products are formed from acetate fibers?10)Why was the discovery of Nylon 66 important?11)Which of the fabrics found in Activity 6.3 would have the most probative value in an investigation? Which would have the least? Explain.12)How are the properties of a linear polymer different from a cross-linked polymer?13)Identify the two types of acrylic fibers and their uses.14)What is the structure of spandex (Lycra)

What is the significance of fiber evidence?1. Can prove contact between two

individuals2. Can prove contact between an

individual and an object.3. Value is dependent on:

• Type of fiber• Color or color variations in fiber• Location of fiber• Number of fibers that matches

between victim and suspect.

Fiber as trace evidence

occurs when fibers are transferred from a fabric directly onto a victim's clothing.

occurs when already transferred fibers on the clothing of a suspect transfers to clothing of a victim.

•Important for reconstruction of crime scene.

Primary transfer Secondary transfer

Using fibers to reconstruct crime scenes1. The condition of the garment/fiber

2. The type and composition of the fabric.

3. Mobility of victim• The more movement, the more likely

fibers will be transferred

4. The length of time between actual physical contact. • Likelihood of finding transferred fibers

on the clothing of the suspect decreases after each day that passes.

Testing for Identification1. Microscopic observation

2. Burning — observation of how a fiber burns, the odor, color of flame, color of smoke, and the appearance of the residue

3. Thermal decomposition — gently heating to break down the fiber to the basic monomers

4. Chemical tests — solubility and decomposition

5. Density — the mass of an object divided by the volume of the object

6. Refractive index — measurement of the bending of light as it passes from air into a solid or liquid

7. Fluorescence — absorption and reemission of light; used for comparing fibers as well as spotting fibers for collection

Dyes1. Components that make up

dyes can be separated and matched to an unknown.

2. There are more than 7,000 different dye formulations.

3. Chromatography is used to separate dyes for comparative analysis.

4. The way a fabric accepts a particular dye may also be used to identify and compare samples

Collection of Fiber Evidence1. Bag clothing items individually

in paper bags. Make sure that different items are not placed on the same surface before being bagged.

2. Make tape lifts of exposed skin areas and any inanimate objects.

3. Removed fibers should be folded into a small sheet of paper and stored in a paper bag.

Fiber Evidence1. Fiber evidence in court cases

can be used to connect the suspect to the victim or to the crime scene.

2. In the case of Wayne Williams, fibers weighed heavily on the outcome of the case. Williams was convicted in 1982 based on carpet fibers that were found in his home, in his car, and on several murder victims.

Problems with Fiber Evidence1. Class Characteristic

• Mass production of goods/garments

2. The less common the fiber the more useful it is to identify a suspect.• Cotton: Very common – Basically meaningless

in forensic investigations.

Basic Comparison of Fiber Samples

1. Microscopic comparison of color and diameter

2. Compare lengthwise striations

3. Compare cross-section of fiber (shape)

4. Fabric Comparisons (weave pattern, thread count).

5. Color separation

Summary QuestionsRead p. 143-1611)Can a fiber be individualized to a particular textile fabric? Why of how?2)Can a piece of fabric be individualized to a particular garment? Why or how?3)If an unknown fiber is suspended in a solution with a density of 1.30, what might the fiber be?4)If the same fiber in question 3 is found to have a refractive index of 1.53, what might it be?5)How is the Becke line used to determine Refractive Index?6)Explain how an optical brightener may change how light reacts with fibers.7)If a fiber disappears in castor oil, what might it be?8)How is chromatography used in identifying the make up of dyes?9)What is trace evidence? What is the common basis for analyzing trace evidence, that is, what are the goals?10)During a trial, what are the primary concerns in analyzing and using extremely small bits of trace evidence?11)How do forensic scientists use FTIR to analyze fibers?12)How does the FBI use a crook’s jeans to catch them?13)How did Fibers & their analysis play a major role in the Amanda Davis case?