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Fiber

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Title: Fiber


1
Fiber Hair Analysis
2
Hair Evidence
  • Hair is composed primarily of the protein keratin
  • Defined as slender outgrowths of the skin of
    mammals
  • Each species of animal possesses hair with
    characteristic length, color, shape, root
    appearance, and internal microscopic features
    that distinguish one animal from another

3
  • Variability exists in types of hairs found on
    body of an animal
  • Humans
  • Head, pubic region, arms, legs other body areas
    have characteristics that can determine their
    origin
  • Hair types include coarse outer hairs or guard
    hairs (finer fur hairs, tactile hairs whiskers,
    others that originate from tail mane)

4
  • Value of hair as evidence depends on
  • Types of hair recovered
  • Condition of hair
  • of hairs found
  • Comparison of microscopic characteristics of
    questioned hairs to known hair samples helps
    determine whether a transfer may have occurred

5
Hair Morphology
  • Hair is an appendage of the skin that grows out
    of an organ known as the hair folicle
  • Grows from hair follicle
  • Root is embedded in follicle
  • Shaft has 3 parts
  • Cuticle
  • Cortex
  • medulla
  • Terminates at a tip end

6
Anatomy of a Hair
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Follicle
  • Hair is an appendage of the skin that grows out
    of a hair follicle.

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The follicle contains more than enough cells for
simple DNA Analysis
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Root
  • The length of a hair extends from the root
    embedded in the follicle.
  • A single root contains sufficient DNA for analysis

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Root
  • The root and other surrounding cells in the hair
    follicle provide the tools necessary to produce
    hair and continue its growth.
  • When pulled from the head, some translucent
    tissue surrounding the hairs shaft near the root
    may be found. This is called a follicular tag.
  • By using DNA analysis on the follicular tag, the
    hair may be individualized.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
12
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13
Cuticle
  • Is the outside covering of hair
  • Gives hair resistance to chemical composition
    stability (retaining features over a long period
    of time
  • Formed by overlapping scales that always point
    toward the tip end
  • Scale pattern is useful in species identification
    but not a useful characteristic for
    individualizing human hair
  • Variety of patterns formed by animal hair makes
    it an important feature for species
    identification

14
  • Human b) Dog c) Deer
  • d) Rabbit e) cat f) Horse

15
Cortex
  • Main body of hair shaft
  • The interior of the hair
  • It is embedded with pigment granules that give
    hair its color
  • Color, shape, distribution of the granules
    provide important points of comparison

16
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17
Pigment granules are absent in grey hairs
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18
Medulla
  • Group of cells having appearance of a central
    canal running through a hair
  • Sometimes it is the predominant feature,
    occupying more than ½ the diameter (varies by
    species)
  • Medullary index is the diameter of medulla
    relative to diameter of hair shaft
  • Humans is less than 1/3
  • Other animals, value is ½ or greater

19
  • Presence appearance vary between individuals
    among the hairs in a given individual
  • Medulla patterns
  • Continuous
  • Interrupted
  • Fragmented
  • Absent all together
  • Human head hairs the medulla is usually absent
    or fragmented rarely have continuous
  • Animal medulla is either continuous or
    interrupted

20
  • Shape of medulla
  • Cylindrical humans many animals
  • Patterned shape other animals
  • Ex. Medulla of cat resembles a string of pearls
  • Ex. Deer medulla is spherical cells occupying the
    entire hair shaft

CAT
DEER
21
HUMAN
DOG
RABBIT
CAT
DEER
22
Hair Growth
  • Regions of the body that are primarily used in
    forensic comparisons are the head pubic areas
  • As hairs undergo cyclical growth ( anagen)
    resting phase (telogen), the visible microscopic
    characteristics are sufficient to determine the
    phase of growth of the hair

23
  • Anagen phase
  • Hair actively growing
  • Materials are deposited in hair shaft by cells
    found in follicle
  • Metabolically active dividing cells above
    around the dermal papilla of the follicle grow
    upward during this phase to form medulla,
    cortex, cuticle, root sheath
  • 80-90 of hairs
  • Telogen phase
  • Follicle is dormant or resting
  • 10-18
  • Catagen phase
  • Transition period between anagen telogen
  • 2

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  • Hairs routinely lost during telogen phase
    become a primary source of evidentiary material
  • Hairs can also become dislodged from the body
    while they are in an actively growing state
    (anagen)
  • Microscope appearance of root area will allow for
    the determination of growth phase

26
  • When pulled from the root, some anagen hairs will
    have a follicular tag
  • Is a translucent piece of tissue surrounding the
    hairs shaft near the root
  • Contains the richest source of DNA associated
    w/hair

27
Naturally shed hair - Displays undamaged, club
shaped roots
Forcibly removed hair - Will exhibit stretching
damage to root area
Forcibly removed hair w/tissue attached
28
Comparing Strands
  • The comparison microscope is an indispensable
    tool for comparing the morphological
    characteristics of hair.
  • When comparing strands of human hair, the
    criminalist is particularly interested in
    matching the color, length, and diameter.
  • A careful microscopic examination of hair will
    reveal morphological features that can
    distinguish human hair from the hair of animals.
  • Scale structure, medullary index, and medullary
    shape are particularly important in animal hair
    identification.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
29
Comparing Strands
  • Other important features for comparing human hair
    are
  • the presence or absence of a medulla
  • the distribution, shape, and color intensity of
    the pigment granules present in the cortex
  • The most common request is to determine whether
    or not hair recovered at the crime scene compares
    to hair removed from the suspect.
  • However, microscopic hair examinations tend to be
    subjective and highly dependant on the skills and
    integrity of the analyst.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
30
Questions
  • Can the body area from which a hair originated be
    determined?
  • Can the racial origin of hair be determined?
  • Can the age and sex of an individual be
    determined from a hair sample?
  • Is it possible to determine if a hair was
    forcibly removed from the body?
  • Are efforts being made to individualize human
    hair?
  • Can DNA individualize a human hair?

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
31
Hair Microscopy
  • Done w/light microscopy
  • Is a 2 step process
  • ID of questioned hairs
  • Comparison of questioned known hairs
  • Purpose
  • To ascertain whether 2 or more individuals could
    have come into contact w/an object
  • Particularly useful in crimes of violence
    (homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault)
    where physical contact may have occurred

32
  • Value of hair evidence
  • Related to the variability of hair
    characteristics between individuals in the
    population
  • Factors that impact the reliability of a hair
    assoication
  • Experience
  • Training
  • Suitability of known hair standards
  • Adequacy of equipment

33
Hair and DNA
  • Recent major breakthroughs in DNA profiling have
    extended this technology to the individualization
    of human hair.
  • The probability of detecting DNA in hair roots is
    more likely for hair being examined in its anagen
    or early growth phase as opposed to its catagen
    (middle) or telogen (final) phases.
  • Often, when hair is forcibly removed a follicular
    tag, a translucent piece of tissue surrounding
    the hairs shaft near the root may be present.
  • This has proven to be a rich source of nuclear
    DNA associated with hair.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
34
Hair and Mitochondrial DNA
  • Mitochondrial DNA can be extracted from the hair
    shaft.
  • Mitochondrial DNA is found in cellular material
    located outside of the nucleus and it is
    transmitted only from the mother to child.
  • As a rule, all positive microscopical hair
    comparisons must be confirmed by DNA analysis.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
35
Collection and Preservation
  • As a general rule, forensic hair comparisons
    involve either head hair or pubic hair.
  • The collection of 50 full-length hairs from all
    areas of the scalp will normally ensure a
    representative sampling of head hair.
  • A minimum collection of two dozen full-length
    pubic hairs should cover the range of
    characteristics present in pubic hair.
  • Hair samples are also collected from the victims
    of suspicious deaths during an autopsy.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
36
Steps in Hair Examination Process
  • Determine if hair in question is from animal or
    human
  • If from animal
  • Identify the type of animal (species, not
    specific animal)

37
Animal Hairs
  • Hairs can vary greatly in color length on
    different areas of the body therefore, you
    should collect reference samples from each area
  • Samples should contain
  • Full length hairs
  • Combings pluckings
  • If animal isnt available for collection, a brush
    or comb used on that animal may be substituted

38
  • Animal hairs found at scene or on clothing may
    have come from a fur coat or pelt
  • Since these are usually artificially dyed dont
    have a root, its preferred that entire garment
    be obtained for suitable samples

39
Human Hairs
  • An individual sheds approximately 100 head hairs
    each day
  • Body area determination
  • Characteristics used
  • Length, shape, size, color, stiffness, curliness,
    microscopic appearance, pigmentation, medullar
    appearance
  • Hairs that exhibit microscopic characteristics
    shared by different anatomical areas are called
    body hairs
  • Include hair on upper legs, lower abdomen, and
    back

- Head pubic hairs are used most for forensic
work because there is a wide range of
interpersonal variation in these types of hair
40
Head hairs
  • Longest hairs on human body
  • Have uniform diameter and, often, a cut tip
  • Are subject to more alteration than hairs from
    other body areas

41
Razor-cut hair
Hair w/cut tip
Split hair
42
  • Alterations to natural appearance include
  • Dyes, rinses, permanents, frosts
  • Environmental alterations
  • Excessive sunlight, wind, dryness
  • Because of potential for alteration, it is
    recommended that head hair samples be obtained as
    soon as possible from suspects victims of crime
  • Samples obtained years after a crime are
    generally not suitable for meaningful comparison
    purposes

43
  • Known samples
  • Need a random sampling of hair from different
    areas of scalp
  • of hairs required vary
  • General rule is to obtain at least 25 full-length
    hairs, which includes both plucked combed,
    packaged separately

44
Pubic Hairs
  • Not subject to as much change as head hairs over
    time
  • Therefore, a sample taken a year or more after a
    crime may still be suitable for a meaningful
    comparison
  • Its recommended that known samples be collected
    ASAP
  • Samples should contain at least 25 full-length
    hairs taken from different areas of the pubic
    region

45
  • Characteristics
  • Course wiry in appearance
  • Considerable diameter variation or buckling
    (twisting of hair shaft)
  • Often have a continuous to discontinuous medulla
  • Tapered tips are common, but these hairs may also
    be abraded or cut

46
Hair showing buckling
47
Facial Hairs
  • More commonly called beard or mustache hairs
  • Characteristics
  • Coarse in appearance
  • Have a triangular cross section
  • Heavy shouldering or troughs are observed under
    magnification
  • Wide medulla
  • Razor cut tip

48
  • Significance of association of facial hairs may
    not be as great as head pubic hair associations

49
Limb Hairs
  • Hairs from legs arms
  • Characteristics
  • Shorter in length, arc-like shape, often abraded
    or tapered at tips, pigment is generally granular
    in appearance, medulla is trace to discontinuous
  • Not routinely compared in forensic lab
  • There are differences b/t individuals, but
    theyre not considered sufficient to allow limb
    hairs to be of value for meaningful comparison

50
Fringe Hairs
  • Hair originating from areas of the body outside
    those specifically designated as head or pubic
  • Not suitable for significant comparison purposes
  • Examples
  • Neck, sideburns, abdomen, upper leg back

51
Other body area hairs
  • Not routinely compared
  • Presence may help corroborate information
    obtained during an investigation (just like limb
    fringe hairs)
  • Examples
  • Axillary (underarm), chest, eye, nose

52
Racial Determination
  • Head hairs are best for determining race
  • Head hair from infants can be difficult to
    analyze
  • Also, hairs from individuals of mixed racial
    ancestry may possess microscopic characteristic
    attributed to more than one racial group

53
  • Caucasoid (European)
  • Fine to medium courseness
  • Generally straight or wavy in appearance
  • Colors range from blonde to brown to black
  • Hair shafts vary from round to oval in cross
    section
  • Have fine to medium sized, evenly distributed
    pigment granules

54
  • Mongoloid (Asian)
  • Regularly coarse
  • straight
  • circular in x-section
  • Wider diameter than other racial groups
  • Cuticle is usually significantly thicker than
    that of Negroid or Caucasian hairs
  • Medulla is continuous wide
  • Cortex contains pigment granules that are
    generally larger in size compared to Caucasian
    hairs
  • Have characteristic red appearance

55
  • Negroid (African)
  • Regularly curly or kinky
  • Flattened x-section
  • Can appear as curly, wavy or coiled
  • Pigment granules are larger than those in
    Mongoloid Caucasian
  • Pigments are grouped in clumps of different
    shapes sizes
  • Density of pigment in cortex may be so great as
    to make hair opaque
  • Shaft has variation or apparent variation in
    diameter
  • Buckling can be present
  • Hair shaft frequently splits along the lenght

56
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57
Age Sex
  • Age of individual cannot be determined
    definitively by microscopic examination of hair
  • However, appearance of certain hairs, such as
    those of infants elderly individuals, may
    provide a general age
  • How?
  • Infant hair is generally finer less distinctive
    in appearance
  • As one ages, hair can undergo pigment loss
    changes in configuration of hair shaft to become
    much finer more vaiable in diameter

58
  • Sex of individual is difficult to determine
  • However, longer treated hairs are more frequently
    encountered in females
  • If hair is forcibly remove, sex can be determined
    using follicular tag

59
Treatment Removal
  • Presence of dyes or rinses can be identified
    through microscopic examination of hair
  • Head hairs grow at the rate of 1cm/month
  • Approximate time of treatment can be determined
    by measuring the length of untreated area
  • Direct, side-by-side comparison of color of
    question known artifically treated hairs is
    typically conducted by hair examiner

60
Biological or Environmental Alterations
  • When hairs originated from a body in a state of
    decomposition, a dark band may appear near the
    root of the hair
  • Called postmortem root band

61
Conclusions
  • Several possible conclusions which can be reached
    from examination comparison of human hair
  • Questioned hair exhibits same microscopic
    characteristics as know hair is consistent
    w/originating from source of known hairs
  • Questioned hair is microscopically dissimilar to
    hairs found in known sample cannot be
    associated to the source of known hairs
  • Similarities slight differences were observed
    b/t questioned hair known hair sample. No
    conclusion could be reached as to whether the
    questioned hair originated from same source as
    known hairs

62
  • When a hair exhibits same microscopic
    characteristics as hairs in known sample, a
    qualifying statement may be added
  • Hair comparisons are not a basis for absolute
    personal identification. It sould be noted,
    however, that because it is unusual to find hairs
    from 2 different individuals that exhibit the
    same microscopic characteristics, a microscopic
    association or match is the basis for a strong
    association

63
Significance of Hair Evidence
  • Depends on method of collection
  • Processing techniques used
  • Methodology of hair examination
  • Experience of hair examiner
  • Head pubic hairs are generally viewed as more
    significant than hairs from other body areas

64
  • Certain case situations affect significance of
    identifying hairs
  • When a family member possibly involved in crime
  • Location, , condition (forcibly pulled or burnt)
  • Involvement of victims associates
  • Dates, coworkers, other people who may have
    logical contact w/or access to victim /or crime
    scene
  • Situations involving strangers have greatest
    significance

65
Hair affected by burning
66
Textile fibers
  • Can place a suspect at the crime scene
  • Fibers can be exchanged between 2 individuals,
    between an individual an object, between 2
    objects

67
Importance of fiber matched to a crime scene
  • When fibers are matched w/specific source, a
    value is placed on that association
  • Value is dependent on
  • type of fiber
  • Location of fibers at crime scene or on victim
  • of different fibers at crime scene
  • of different fibers on the victim that match
    clothing of suspect

68
Fiber Evidence
  • Fiber smallest unit of textile
  • Length much greater than diameter
  • Can be naturally occurring or synthetic
  • Can be spun w/other fibers to form a yarn that
    can be woven or knitted to form a fabric

69
Fiber Evidence
  • The quality of the fiber evidence depends on the
    ability of the criminalist to identify the origin
    of the fiber or at least be able to narrow the
    possibilities to a limited number of sources.
  • Obviously, if the examiner is presented with
    fabrics that can be exactly fitted together at
    their torn edges, it is a virtual certainty that
    the fabrics were of common origin.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
70
Fiber Evidence
  • Microscopic comparisons between questioned and
    standard/reference fibers are initially
    undertaken for color and diameter
    characteristics, using a comparison microscope.
  • Other morphological features that could be
    important in comparing fibers are
  • Lengthwise striations on the surface of the fiber
  • The presence of delustering particles that reduce
    shine
  • The cross-sectional shape of the fiber
  • Compositional differences may exist in the dyes
    that were applied to the fibers during the
    manufacturing process.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
71
Transfer of Fiber
  • Factors affecting transfer of fiber
  • Type of fiber
  • Length
  • Type of spinning method
  • Type of fabric construction
  • Can be transferred from
  • Clothing
  • Carpets
  • Bed
  • Furniture

72
  • Can be transferred directly (primary) or
    indirectly (secondary)
  • primary occurs when a fiber is transferred from a
    fabric directly onto a victims clothing
  • Secondary occurs when already transferred fibers
    on clothing of suspect transfer to clothing of a
    victim

73
Contact doesnt always transfer fibers
  • Certain fabrics do not shed well (donor garment)
  • Some fabrics dont retain fibers well (recipient
    garments)
  • Factors affecting retention
  • Construction composition of fabric
  • Duration force of contact
  • Condition of garment w/regard to damage

74
Methods For Fiber Comparison
  • The visible light microspectrophotometer is a
    convenient way for analysts to compare the colors
    of fibers through spectral patterns.
  • A more detailed analysis of the fibers dye
    composition can be obtained through a
    chromatographic separation.
  • Infrared spectrophotometry is a rapid and
    reliable method for identifying the generic class
    of fibers, as does the polarizing microscope.
  • Depending on the class of fiber, each polarized
    plane of light will have a characteristic index
    of refraction.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
75
Collection and Preservation
  • The investigators task of looking for minute
    strands of fibers often becomes one of
    identifying and preserving potential carriers
    of fiber evidence.
  • Relevant articles of clothing should be packaged
    carefully in separate paper bags.
  • If it is necessary to remove a fiber from an
    object, the investigator must use clean forceps,
    place it in a small sheet of paper, fold and
    label the paper, and place the paper packet
    inside another container.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
76
Types of Fibers
  • Natural fibers are derived in whole from animal
    or plant sources.
  • Examples wool, mohair, cashmere, furs, and
    cotton.
  • Man-made fibers are manufactured.
  • Regenerated fibers are manufactured from natural
    raw materials and include rayon, acetate, and
    triacetate.
  • Synthetic fibers are produced solely from
    synthetic chemicals and include nylons,
    polyesters, and acrylics.
  • Polymers, or macromolecules, are synthetic fibers
    composed of a large number of atoms arranged in
    repeating units known as monomers.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
77
Natural Fibers
  • Originate from plants or animals
  • Common plant fibers
  • Cotton, flax (linen), ramie, rayon, sisal, jute,
    hemp, kapok (silky-cotton like substance), coir
    (coconut fibers)
  • Common animal Fibers
  • Wool (usually from sheep), camel, alpaca,
    cashmere, mohair
  • End use of sheeps wool dictates fineness or
    coarseness of fibers
  • Finer fibers used in clothing
  • Coarser fibers found in carpet
  • Fiber diameter degree of scale protrusion are
    important characteristics

78
Cotton fibers
79
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80
Wool fibers
81
Flax fibers Ramie fibers
82
Kapok fibers Hemp fibers
83
Cotton- Hemp Blend
84
Synthetic Fibers
  • More than ½ of all fibers used in production of
    textile materials are synthetic
  • Polyester, nylon, acrylics,acetates
  • Some originate from natural materials such as
    cotton or wood
  • Amount of production of particular synthetic
    fiber its use influence the degree of rarity of
    a given fiber

85
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86
  • Shape of synthetic fiber can determine the value
    placed on the fiber

87
Cross section of synthetic fibers
88
Cross section of different nylon fibers
89
Fiber Color
  • Influences value given to a particular fiber
    identification
  • Often several dyes are used to give a fiber a
    desired color
  • Individual fibers can be colored prior to being
    spun into yarn
  • Yarns can be dyed , fabrics made from them can
    be dyed

90
  • Color can be applied to surface of fabric as in
    printed fabrics
  • How color is applied absorbed along length of
    fiber are important comparison charateristics
  • Color-fading discoloration can also lend
    increased value to a fiber association

91
Fiber Number Location
  • of fibers on clothing of a victim identified as
    matching clothing of suspect is important in
    determining actual contact
  • Greater the of fibers, the more likely that
    contact actually occurred
  • Location of fibers on different areas of body or
    on specific items at scene influences the
    significance of the fiber association

92
Fabric Type
  • How fabric is constructed affects the types
    of fibers that may be transferred during contact
  • Tightly woven or knitted fabrics shed less than
    loosely knit or woven fabrics
  • Fabrics composed of filament yarns shed less than
    fabrics composed of spun yarns.
  • Age of fabric affects degree of transfer
  • Newer fabrics may shed more readily because of an
    abundance of loosely adhering fibers on surface
  • Worn fabrics may have damaged areas that easily
    shed fibers
  • Damage to fabric caused during physical contact
    greatly increases the likelihood of fiber
    transfer

93
Fabric Source Determination
  • It is not possible to say positively that a fiber
    originated from a particular fabric
  • inability to positively associate a fiber w/a
    source in no way diminishes the significance of a
    fiber association

94
  • Its very helpful to know frequency of occurrence
    f a particular fabric fiber, or how many
    fabrics w/a particular fiber type color exist,
    as well as who owns them
  • If manufacture is known, possibility exists that
    of fabric units produced could also be obtained

95
  • Once a particular fiber of a certain type, shape,
    color is produced becomes part of a fabric,
    it occupies an extremely small portion of the
    fiber/fabric composition
  • Exception white cotton blue cotton fibers
    (blue jeans)

96
Fiber Transfer Persistence
  • Depends on type of fabric, nature duration of
    contact
  • Transferred fibers are usually lost rather
    quickly depends on type of fabric movement
    after contact
  • Clothing of homicide victim would tend to retain
    transferred fiber for a longer period because
    victim is not moving

97
  • EMS, medical examiners investigators must
    handle victims clothing carefully to minimize
    fiber loss
  • Fibers will be lost is if victim/suspect moves
    about, brush the clothing or wash it

98
  • Nature of contact
  • Can determine the of fibers transferred value
    placed on their discovery
  • Violent physical contact of an extended duration
    will very often result in numerous fiber
    transfers
  • Multiple fiber associations
  • Multiple fiber types found on different items of
    clothing or fabric from suspect, victim, or scene
    greatly increase the likelihood that contact
    occurred between those individuals the scene
  • Each associated fiber is considered to be an
    independent event
  • Multiple associations undermine a coincidence
    defense

99
Fiber Evidence Assigning Significance
  • Matching dyed synthetic fibers or dyed natural
    fibers can be very meaningful
  • Whereas, matching of common fibers, such as white
    cotton or blue denim cotton would be less
    significant
  • Discovery of cross transfers multiple fiber
    transfers between suspects clothing victims
    clothing dramatically increasesthe likelihood
    that these 2 individuals had physical contact

100
  • When a fiber examiner matches a questions fiber
    to a know item of clothing, there are only two
    possible explanations
  • Fiber actually originated from the item of
    clothing
  • Fiber did not originate from the item of clothing

101
  • In order to say that the fiber originated from
    the item of clothing
  • the clothing either had to be the only fabric of
    its type ever produced or still remaining on
    earth
  • Or the transfer of biers was directly observed
  • therefore, fibers examiners will conclude
    that the fibers could have originated from the
    clothing or that the fibers are consistent
    with originating from the clothing

102
  • Only way to say that a fiber did not originate
    from a particular item of clothing is to know the
    actual history of the garment or to have actually
    observed the fiber transfer from another garment

103
Paint
  • Paint spread onto a surface will dry into a hard
    film that can best be described as consisting of
    pigments and additives suspended in the binder.
  • One of the most common types of paint examined in
    the crime laboratory involves finishes emanating
    from automobiles.
  • Automobile manufacturers normally apply a variety
    of coatings to the body of an automobile.
  • These coatings may include electrocoat primer,
    primer surfacer, basecoat, and clearcoat.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
104
Methods For Paint Comparison
  • The wide diversity of automotive paint
    contributes to the forensic significance of an
    automobile paint comparison.
  • Questioned and known specimens are best compared
    side by side under a stereoscopic microscope for
    color, surface texture, and color layer sequence.
  • Pyrolysis gas chromatography and infrared
    spectrophotometry are invaluable techniques for
    distinguishing most paint binder formulations,
    adding further significance to a forensic paint
    comparison.
  • Crime laboratories are often asked to identify
    the make and model of a car from a small amount
    of paint and will make use of color charts for
    automobile finishes.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
105
Collection and Preservation
  • Paint chips are most likely found on or near
    persons or objects involved in hit-and-run
    incidents.
  • Paper druggist folds and glass or plastic vials
    make excellent containers for paint.
  • Paint smeared or embedded in garments or objects
    require the whole item to be packaged and sent to
    the laboratory.
  • Uncontaminated standard/reference paint must
    always be collected.
  • Tools used to gain entry into buildings or safes
    often contain traces of paint, requiring the tool
    be collected, along with reference paint samples.

HAIR FIBERS AND PAINT
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