ForensicScience

HAIRANDFIBERANALYSIS

ForensicScience

NaturalfibersPlant & Animal

ForensicScienceNatural Fibers

Plant:Linen (flax) & cotton

Animal:Silk, hair, fur & wool

ForensicScienceNatural Fibers

Cellulose Based FibersManufactured, but from natural fiber materials.

- Rayon (1910)- Acetate (1924)

ForensicScienceNatural Fibers

Whole Fabric Traits

- Color- Texture- Weight

ForensicScienceNatural Fibers

Fiber Analysis - Tests

Absorbancy Test: - does it absorb water or repel it?

ForensicScienceNatural Fibers

Fiber Analysis - Tests

Burn Test: - moves away from flame.- smells like singed hair. - burns to ash.

ForensicScienceNatural Fibers

Fiber Analysis - Tests

Elasticity Test: - how much can it be stretched?

ForensicScienceHair, Fur & Wool

Skincross-section

ForensicScienceHair Cross-section

ForensicScienceHair Cross-section

ForensicScienceLight Colored Hair

ForensicScienceMedulla Patterns

ForensicScienceYour Analysis?

ForensicSciencePigment Patterns

ForensicSciencePigment Patterns

ForensicScienceCuticle

ScalePatterns

ForensicScienceScale Patterns

ForensicScienceYour Analysis? Hair Analysis

ForensicScienceYour Analysis?

ForensicScienceYour Analysis?

ForensicScienceHair Root Patterns

ForensicScienceHair Root Patterns

ForensicScience

Syntheticfibers

ForensicScienceSynthetic Fibers

Man-made from petroleum products or other chemicals.

No medulla or scale patterns.

ForensicScienceSynthetic Fibers

Polyester (Dacron & Duroflex)

Nylon (Polyamide)

AcrylicMoirePolypropylene (Olefin)

ForensicScienceSynthetic Fibers

Fiber Analysis

Burn Test: - Will tend to melt. - Solidify when cooled. - Give off unpleasant odor. - Give off toxic vapor.

ForensicScienceSubmission Protocol

FABRIC:When possible, submit the entire garment or textile. Submit fibers in clean paper or an envelope with sealed corners.

ForensicScienceSubmission Protocol

HAIRS: Collect at least 25 known hairs from different parts of the head and/or pubic region. Comb and pull out the hairs. Submit hairs in clean paper or envelope with sealed corners.

ForensicScienceCollection Methods

1) Tape2) Tweezers3) Vacuum4) Undress Over Sheet5) Other?

SyntheticsFollicular Tag Tape LiftMass Spec

ForensicScienceHair & Fibers

TheEnd