Chapter 8 FIBER EVIDENCE Fiber Information Important in

Chapter 8 FIBER EVIDENCE

Fiber Information Important in incidents involving personal contact between a suspect & victim = homicide, assault, sexual offenses Also Found on hit and run victims & the cars that hit them

Types of Fibers 1. Natural Fibers – made from plant and animal sources • Ex: mohair, cashmere, wool, cotton, furs 2. Man-made fibers – synthetically made (manmade) (chemically made to resemble natural fibers) • Ex: Polyester, nylon, spandex, rayon

Fiber Characteristics Polymer – long-chained molecules that make up fibers (can be natural or man-made) AKA: macromolecules (big molecules) Monomer – the smaller repeating units that make up a polymer

Identification & Comparison of Fiber Evidence Evidentiary Value is based on the scientists ability to trace a fiber to its origin Due to mass production = class evidence A tear pattern, (from a hit and run), or DNA on the fiber = individual evidence Color, size, shape, appearance, chemical composition & dye content are examined These are still class characteristics

Identification & Comparison Continued The combination of colors in a dye can help make a fiber more ‘individual’ As with hairs, the more you can associate with an object/person, the more evidentiary value that is placed on the fibers