Analytical Solutions
Fibres

Textile fibre examination is the second most utilised evidence type after body fluids and DNA, often providing compelling evidence in a variety of cases. It is useful when person to person or person to item contact is disputed, for example during a violent or sexual crime, theft or traffic incident.

Evidence is recovered by ‘taping’ the item in question, and the tape lifts are examined under microscope for colour, structure and type. These tests are highly discriminating and are able to distinguish between similar garments.

Fibre examinations have a high evidential value in corroborative cases and often provide an investigative steer in major enquiries.

Fibres that are found on the clothing of murder victims can give indications of the environment in which the victim last had contact, which can be highly valuable in cases where the victim has been moved.

In cases of terrorism, the presence of fibres on adhesive tapes used to construct explosive devices have the potential to provide information leading to the identity of the factory. In cases such as terrorism or robbery where the perpetrators have discarded balaclavas or similar used to disguise identity, the presence of fibres can be used to demonstrate contact with the item.

In vehicle collisions, the high energies involved can result in fibres from the clothing of occupants becoming fused with panels in the vehicle, which can be used to determine who was driving. This approach is also useful in hit and run cases.

The working practices involved in the recovery and comparison of fibres are designed to prevent contamination and maintain integrity of the evidence.