FORENSIC SCIENCE

PROJECT REPORT ON:

FIBER AND HAIR ANALYSIS

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

Dr. AJAY RANGA TAMANNA GOYAL
B.A.LLB (Hons.)
111/15

0|Page
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The present project report on “FIBER AND HAIR ANALYSIS” has been able to get its final
shape with the support and help of people from various quarters. I am proud to acknowledge
gratitude to the individuals during my study, and without whom the study might not have
completed. I have taken this opportunity to thank those who have genuinely helped me.

With immense pleasure, I express my deepest sense of gratitude to Dr. Ajay Ranga, who was
very generous in sharing his valuable time and knowledge with me and also guiding me and
motivating me at every step throughout this entire time frame.

I am also thankful to the whole family of the University Institute of Legal Studies, for providing
me with all the required material which I required to complete my project report. Not to forget,
thanks to my parents without whose cooperation, the completion of this project would not have
been possible.

I have made every effort to acknowledge credits, but my apologies in advance for any omission
that may have inadvertently taken place. Last but not least, I would like to thank Almighty,
whose blessings helped me to complete this project.

TAMANNA
 Table of Contents
Table of References ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
1 Introduction: Hair & Fiber Analysis ..............................................................3
1.1 Hair Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 5
1.2 Fiber Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 6

2. Hair Analysis- A Detail Study ......................................................................6

2.1 Anatomy of Hair .................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1.1 Structure of Hair........................................................................................................................... 7

3. Hair as Evidence............................................................................................8
3.1 Hair Microscopy .................................................................................................................................. 8
3.1.1 Validity of Hair as Evidence .......................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Animal hair & Human Hair ................................................................................................................ 10
3.2.1 Animal Hair................................................................................................................................. 10
3.2.2 Difference Between An Animal & Human Hair .......................................................................... 11

4. Human Hair Identification on the basis of Body Part & Race ...................12
4.1 On the basis of Body Parts ................................................................................................................ 12
4.2 On the Basis of Race.......................................................................................................................... 14

5. Evidences of Hair about Crime ...................................................................16

5.1 Hair suitability for DNA examinations............................................................................................... 17

6. Fiber as Evidence ........................................................................................17

6.1 Types of Fiber Evidence .................................................................................................................... 17

7. Transfer of Fibers ........................................................................................19

7.1 Fiber Transfer & Persistence ............................................................................................................. 19

8. Fiber Evidence: Assigning Significance .....................................................20

 SUPERVISOR CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Ms. Tamanna Goyal has worked under my supervision for his project titled
“Fibre and Hair Analysis”. This project work is entirely his work and is fit for evaluation and
examination of his subject of Forensic Science.

Dr. Ajay Ranga

University Institute of Legal Studies

Panjab University,Chandigarh
 STUDENT CERTIFICATE

I, hereby, certify that the work which is presented in the project entitled “Fibres and Hair
Analysis” is for the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the evaluation of practical
examination and has been submitted in the University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab
University, Chandigarh. It is an authentic record of my work carried out under the supervision of
Dr. Ajay Ranga, Professor, U.I.L.S, Panjab University, Chandigarh. The matter embodied in this
work has not been submitted for the award of any other degree of this or any other
University/Institute.

Tamanna Goyal
 INTRODUCTION
HAIR ANALYSIS
Hair is a common type of evidence submitted to the trace section for analysis. On average,
humans shed approximately 100 head hairs per day. Because we are continuously shedding hairs,
forensic analysis of hairs is beneficial to the establishment of associations between individuals, a
person and an environment, etc. (Example: a questioned hair from a victim’s jeans is examined
and found to be consistent with the suspect’s hair. This examination has provided evidence that
an association may have occurred between the suspect and the victim).

A hair is a fibrous outgrowth from the skin of mammals and consists of three anatomical regions,
the cuticle, medulla and cortex. Characteristics within these regions are used to determine
whether the hair is human or animal, racial origin and body area. A microscopic hair
examination can also determine if a hair was forcibly removed, artificially treated or diseased. A
comparison microscope can be used to compare a questioned hair to a known hair sample in
order to determine if the hairs are similar and if they could have come from a common source. A
questioned hair and known hair sample are viewed, side-by-side, using a comparison microscope
in order to determine if they have similar characteristics.1

FIBER ANALYSIS
The Examination and identification of these, although not strictly speaking a biological problem,
is normally part of the forensic biologist’s work, partly because the traditional fibers are
biological in origin, and because he has the necessary microscopical expertise. In the normal run
of criminal investigation, textile fibres probably indeed require identification more often than
any other class of material with which the biologist has to deal. Since clothes are normally worn
in our climate, and since textiles are also used for carpets and upholstery, there will be some
transference of fibers in practically every crime involving either assailant/victim contact or entry
into a normally furnished house. Fibers from brushes, cordage and the like may also occur as
contact traces.

The material to be examined may be of three types. First, when there has been rubbing contact
between a relatively smooth surface and the textile there will be many tiny fiber fragments left
on the surface. The collection of these by separate picking off may be virtually impossible, in
which case they may be picked up by pressing sticky tape on the surface, subsequently freeing
them from the tape with a suitable solvent. Secondly, quiet long fibers may be transferred in a
person-to-person struggle, or from carpet and rugs on to footwear. Thirdly, quiet long turfs or
even whole pieces torn out may be found on a car which has struck a pedestrian or on a
projecting nail or splinter past which an intruder has pushed.2

HAIR ANALYSIS- A DETAIL STUDY

ANATOMY OF HAIR
Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis, or skin. Hair is one of the
defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is
covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and fine vellus hair.3

1
Hair Analysis & DNA – Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Minnesota Department of Public Safety
2
P. 169 Forensic Science- An Introduction to Scientific Crime Detection: Walls H.J. 2 nd Edition Universal Law
Publishers
3
Sherrow, Victoria (2006). Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History. 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT: Greenwood
Press. p. iv.
STRUCTURE OF HAIR
Hair fibers have a structure consisting of several layers, starting from the outside:

(i) The Cuticle consists of several layers of flat thin cells laid out overlapping one another as
roof shingles. The cuticle is the outer covering. Its complex structure slides as the hair swells and
is covered with a single molecular layer of lipid that makes the hair repel water. The diameter of
human hair varies from .017 to .18 millimeters (0.00067 to 0.00709 in). There are two million
small, tubular glands and sweat glands that produce watery fluids that cool the body by
evaporation. The glands at the opening of the hair produce a fatty secretion that lubricates the
hair.

(ii) The Cortex, which contains the keratin bundles in cell structures that remain roughly rod-
like. The cortex contains melanin, which colors the fiber based on the number, distribution and
types of melanin granules. The shape of the follicle determines the shape of the cortex, and the
shape of the fiber is related to how straight or curly the hair is. People with straight hair have
round hair fibers. Oval and irregularly shaped fibers are generally more-wavy or even curly.

(iii) The Medulla, a disorganized and open area at the fiber's center.4 The innermost region, the
medulla, is not always present and is an open, unstructured region5. The highly structural and
organized cortex, or middle layer of the hair, is the primary source of mechanical strength and
water uptake.5

Hair growth begins inside the hair follicle. The only "living" portion of the hair is found in the
follicle. The hair that is visible is the hair shaft, which exhibits no biochemical activity and is
considered "dead". The base of a hair's root (the "bulb") contains the cells that produce the hair
shaft. Other structures of the hair follicle include the oil producing sebaceous gland which
lubricates the hair and the arrectorpili muscles, which are responsible for causing hairs to stand
up. In humans with little body hair, the effect results in goose bumps.6

4
Feughelman, Max (1997). Mechanical Properties and Structure of Alpha-keratin Fibres: Wool, Human Hair and
Related Fibres
5
P. 53 Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: VijKrishan, 5 th Edition Elsevier.
6
Freinkel, R.K. and Woodley, D.T., ed. (March 15, 2001). The Biology of the Skin.CRC Press. p. 80
 A. Diagram Depicting Hair Anatomy

HAIR AS EVIDENCE
Hairs can be transferred during physical contact. Their presence can associate a suspect to a
victim or a suspect/victim to a crime scene. The types of hair recovered and the condition and
number of hairs found all impact on their value as evidence in a criminal investigation.
Comparison of the microscopic characteristics of questioned hairs to known hair samples helps
determine whether a transfer may have occurred.

HAIR MICROSCOPY
The examination of human hairs in the forensic laboratory is typically conducted through the use
of light microscopy. This examination routinely involves a two-step process—the identification
of questioned hairs and the comparison of questioned and known hairs. The purpose for
conducting this examination is to ascertain whether two or more individuals could have come
into contact or whether one or more individuals could have come into contact with an object.
This associative evidence is particularly useful in crimes of violence, such as homicide, sexual
assault, and aggravated assault, where physical contact may have occurred. Crimes such as
burglary and armed robbery typically involve the recovery of debris and articles of clothing
which may contain hairs useful for the identification of suspects.7

Validity of Hair as Evidence

The value of hair evidence is related to the variability of hair characteristics between individuals
in the population, which can be visualized through the use of comparison microscopy. There are
many factors that impact on the reliability of a hair association, including experience, training,
suitability of known hair standards, and adequacy of equipment. Although hair evidence is a
valuable tool in human identification, it is difficult to establish a statistical probability for a
particular association due in part to the lack of reliable quantitative assessments of the
microscopic characteristics present in hairs.8

B. MATCHING OF TWO DIFFERENT SAMPLES OF HAIR (THE LEFT ONE

MATCHES & THE RIGHT SAMPLE IS NOT MATCHING)

The comparison microscope consists of two compound light microscopes connected by an

optical bridge that allows for the simultaneous viewing of questioned hairs and known hairs.
Typically, a glass microscope slide containing known or reference hairs is positioned on the

7
Hairs, Fibers, Crime, and Evidence, Part 2, by Deedrick Douglas W. Forensic Science Communication July 2000,
Vol 2 Number 3
8
Ibid
stage of one microscope, and a glass microscope slide containing a questioned hair or hairs is
positioned on the stage of the other microscope. This enables the hair examiner to compare the
microscopic characteristics of the known and questioned hairs in one field. The range of
magnification used is approximately 40X to 400X.

ANIMAL HAIR & HUMAN HAIR

The hair examination process involves many different steps, the first of which is to determine
whether the hair in question originated from an animal or a human being. If the hair originated
from an animal, it is possible to further identify it to a particular type of animal. Although certain
hairs can be attributed to species, it is not possible to identify hairs to a specific animal to the
exclusion of other similar animals. An example of this occurs when dog hairs can be associated
to a particular breed but cannot be identified to a specific dog within that breed.9

ANIMAL HAIR
Animal hairs discovered on items of physical evidence can link a suspect or location to a crime
of violence. A victim placed in a vehicle or held at a location where animals are routinely found
often results in the transfer of animal hairs to the victim's clothing. Cat or dog hairs can be found
on the adhesive portions of ransom and extortion notes prepared by pet owners. The transfer of
pet hairs to the victim or crime scene may also occur when the suspect is a pet owner and has
animal hairs on his or her clothing when the contact occurs. This is referred to as a secondary
transfer of trace material.

When an animal hair is found, it is identified to a particular type of animal and microscopically
compared with a known hair sample from either an animal hair reference collection or a specific
animal. If the questioned hair exhibits the same microscopic characteristics as the known hairs, it
is concluded that the hair is consistent with originating from that animal. It is noted, however,
that animal hairs do not possess enough individual microscopic characteristics to be associated
with a particular animal to the exclusion of other similar animals.

C. SAMPLE OF A DOG HAIR D. SAMPLE OF A CAT HAIR

9
P. 55 Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: VijKrishan, 5th Edition Elsevier.
The collection of a suitable known animal hair standard is necessary before a meaningful
comparison can be conducted. Because hairs can vary widely in color and length on different
areas of the body of an animal, hairs should be collected from each area. While a minimum
number of hairs is difficult to determine, good judgment should be used in collecting enough
hairs to represent the various types and colors of hairs found on the animal. The sample should
contain full-length hairs and should include combings as well as plucking. If the animal is not
available for sample collection, a brush or comb used for the animal may be substituted.
Sometimes hair samples collected from a dog or cat bed may be useful when actual samples from
the animal cannot be obtained.

Animal hairs found at crime scenes or on the clothing of suspects and victims may also have
originated from a fur coat or pelt. These hairs may have been artificially colored or trimmed and
often do not have a root. It is preferred that the entire fur garment be obtained so that suitable
known samples can be submitted for comparison.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ANIMAL & HUMAN HAIR10

FEATURES HUMAN HAIR ANIMAL HAIR

Texture Fine & Thin Coarse & Thick

Cuticle Scales are small, fluttered, Scales are large, polyhedral,

serrated and surround the shaft wavy, and do not surround the
completely shaft completely

10
54 Ibid
Medulla Narrow. Maybe absent, Broad, always present,
fragmented or discontinuous continuous and shows
characteristic pattern

Cortex Thick, 4-10 times thicker than Thin, rarely more than twice
medulla as thick as the medulla

Medullary Index Less than 0.3 Less than 0.5

Distribution More towards the periphery of Uniform, peripheral or central

pigment of cortex

Percipitin Test with root Specific for Human Specific for Animal
portion

HUMAN HAIR IDENTIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF BODY

PART & RACE

ON THE BASIS OF BODY PARTS

The body area from which a hair originated can be determined by general morphology. Length,
shape, size, color, stiffness, curliness, and microscopic appearance all contribute to the
determination of body area. Pigmentation and medullar appearance also influence body area
identification. Hair that exhibit microscopic characteristics shared by different anatomical areas
are often referred to as body hairs. These include hairs found on the upper legs, lower abdomen,
and back. Because there is a wide range of interpersonal variation in head and pubic hairs, the
majority of work in forensics has been in comparing and differentiating hairs from the head and
pubic regions.11

I. Facial Hair- Facial hair is more commonly called beard hairs or mustache hairs. These hairs
are coarse in appearance and can have a triangular cross section. Heavy shouldering or troughs in
the hair are observed under magnification. Other characteristics include a wide medulla and a
razor-cut tip.

E. A HUMAN HAIR SPLIT BY A RAZOR CUT

11
Hairs, Fibers, Crime, and Evidence, Part 1, by DeedrickDouglas W. Forensic Science Communication July 2000,
Vol 2 Number 3
 .

The presence of facial hairs on the clothing of a suspect or victim may help establish contact
between these individuals. While these hairs may be compared microscopically, the significance
of the association may not be as great as head hair and pubic hair associations.

II. Limb Hair- Hair from the legs and arms constitute limb hairs. These hairs are shorter in
length, arc-like in shape, and often abraded or tapered at the tips. The pigment in limb hair is
generally granular in appearance, and the medulla is trace to discontinuous. While limb hairs are
not routinely compared in a forensic laboratory, they can differ in appearance between
individuals. These differences, however, are not considered sufficient to allow limb hairs to be of
value for meaningful comparison purposes. The presence of leg or arm hairs on certain items of
evidence may help to corroborate other investigative information.

III. Fringe Hair- Hair originating from areas of the body outside those specifically designated
as head or pubic are generally not suitable for significant comparison purposes. These hairs
might originate from the neck, sideburns, abdomen, upper leg, and back.

IV. Head hair- Head hair are usually the longest hairs on the human body. They are
characterized as having a uniform diameter and, often, a cut tip. Head hairs can appear uncut,
with tapered tips but are more often cut with scissors, razors, or clippers. In general these hairs
are subject to more alteration than hairs from other body areas. Alterations to the natural
appearance of hair include use of hair dyes, rinses, permanents, frosts, and other chemical
applications. Environmental alterations can result from exposure to excessive sunlight, wind,
dryness, and other conditions. Because these hairs can be affected by a number of environmental
and chemical conditions, it is recommended that head hair samples be obtained as soon as
possible from suspects and victims of crime. Head hair samples obtained years after a crime are
generally not suitable for meaningful comparison purposes.

As head hairs are routinely compared in a forensic laboratory, it is important to obtain suitable
known samples from suspects and victims and possibly from other individuals (elimination
samples). The known sample should contain a random sampling of hair from different areas of
the scalp. The number of hairs required for a meaningful comparison may vary depending on the
uniformity of characteristics present in the hairs from an individual. Because this is not known
when the hair sample is taken, obtain at least 25 full-length hairs. This hair sample should
include both plucked and combed hairs, packaged separately.

V. Pubic hair- These hair are also routinely compared in a

forensic laboratory. As with head hairs, considerable variation
exists between individuals in the population. Pubic hairs are not
subject to as much change as head hairs over time, and because
of this, a sample taken a year or more after a crime may still be
suitable for meaningful comparison purposes. It is recommended
that a known pubic hair sample be obtained as soon as possible
after a crime and should contain at least 25 full-length hairs taken Public Hair with buckling
from different areas of the pubic region.

Pubic hairs are generally coarse and wiry in appearance. They

exhibit considerable diameter variation or buckling and often have a continuous to discontinuous
medulla. While tapered tips are common, these hairs may also be abraded or cut.

IV. Other Body Area Hair- Axillary (underarm) hairs, chest hairs, eye hairs, and nose hairs are
not routinely compared. As with limb hairs and fringe hairs, their presence may help to
corroborate information obtained during an investigation.

ON THE BASIS OF RACE12

A human hair can be associated with a particular racial group based on established models for
each group. Forensic examiners differentiate between hairs of Caucasoid (European

12
Ibid
ancestry), Mongoloid (Asian ancestry), and Negroid (African ancestry) origin, all of which
exhibit microscopic characteristics that distinguish one racial group from another. Head hairs are
generally considered best for determining race, although hairs from other body areas can be
useful. Racial determination from the microscopic examination of head hairs from infants,
however, can be difficult, and hairs from individuals of mixed racial ancestry may possess
microscopic characteristics attributed to more than one racial group.

I. Caucasoid (European)- Hairs of Caucasoid or Caucasian origin can be of fine to medium

coarseness, are generally straight or wavy in appearance, and exhibit colors ranging from blonde
to brown to black.

II. Mongoloid (Asian)-Hairs of Mongoloid or Asian origin are regularly coarse,

Caucasian (European)
straight, and circular in cross section, with a wider diameter than the hairs of the
other racial groups. The outer layer of the hair, the cuticle, is usually
significantly thicker than the cuticle of Negroid and Caucasian hairs, and the
medulla, or central canal, is continuous and wide. The hair shaft, or cortex, of
Mongoloid hair contains pigment granules that are generally larger in size than
the pigment granules of Caucasian hairs and which often appear to be grouped in
patchy areas within the shaft. Mongoloid hair can have a characteristic reddish
Mongoloid Asian (Hair)
appearance as a product of its pigment.

III. Negroid (African)- Hair of Negroid or African origin are regularly curly or
kinky, have a flattened cross section, and can appear curly, wavy, or coiled. Negroid
pigment granules are larger than those found in Mongoloid and Caucasian hair and
are grouped in clumps of different sizes and shapes. The density of the pigment in
the hair shaft may be so great as to make the hair opaque. A Negroid hair shaft
exhibits variation or apparent variation in diameter because of its flattened nature
and the manner in which it lies on the microscope slide. Twisting of the hair shaft,
known as buckling, can be present, and the hair shaft frequently splits along the length.
 EVIDENCES OF HAIR ABOUT CRIME13
•If a female pubic hair is detected on the glands or the surrounding area of the suspect of a case
of rape or if a male pubic hair is available on or near private parts of the victim of rape, then
relationship between the crime, the suspect and the victim can be established by studying the
sample hair recovered from the male or female. Similar is the position in cases of sodomy (pubic
hair of the active agent and anal hair of the passive agent) and bestiality cases (pubic hair of the
accused found near the anus or vagina of the animal and the animal hair on or near the private
parts of the accused). In a case of mechanical assault, hair may be present in or on the weapon
recovered from the accused that may be compared with the hair of the victim to establish
relationship between the accused and the victim.

•A naturally fallen hair due to decay or disease will show distorted, shrunken and atrophied root.
Sheath will usually be absent. In case of forcible extraction of hair, the sheath will get ruptured
and the bulb will show irregularities on its surface.

•Occasionally, in the event of assault/homicide, some portion of the hair belonging to the
assailant may be found firmly clutched in the hand(s) of the victim/deceased. It will be helpful in
linking the victim and the accused.

•Careful search to be made for any stain(s) present upon the hair. One should especially look for
stains of mud/dirt, blood, semen, saliva, etc.

• In case of chronic poisoning by heavy metals (arsenic, anti-u mony, mercury, lead, etc), the hair
retain traces of poison for a considerable period. Chemical examination of hair in such cases
will reveal the presence of poison in the living as well as in the exhumed bodies. Hair must be
plucked with roots k intact and a minimum of 10—20 hair are desirable The analysis of
successive short lengths of hair from the base to the tip gives an idea of the metallic dosage or
intermittent period of such administration. Examination of the hair proved Napoleon’s death to
be due to chronic arsenic poisoning.

•Hair may get scorched or singed due to burns or close-range Dream Injuries. Singed hair arc
swollen, black, fragile, twisted/curled/clubbed and has peculiar disagreeable odour due to

13
P. 57-58 Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: VijKrishan, 5th Edition Elsevier.
burning of keratin. Carbon may be found deposited on them. The tip of the burnt/singed hair
swells out to resemble a bulb in shape. Microscopically, the width of the singed hair is more than
that of normal and it shows vacuolation.

HAIR SUITABILITY FOR DNA EXAMINATIONS

Nuclear DNA analysis can be done on human hairs. The trace section assists the DNA section
by screening hairs and determining their suitability for DNA testing. A microscope is used to
examine the root end of the hairs, in order to determine if they are suitable. The hair in photo 1 is
suitable for nuclear DNA analysis and the hair in photo 2 is not suitable.14

Photo Number 1 Photo Number 2

FIBER AS EVIDENCE
A fiber is the smallest unit of a textile material that has a length many times greater than its
diameter. Fibers can occur naturally as plant and animal fibers, but they can also be man-made.
A fiber can be spun with other fibers to form a yarn that can be woven or knitted to form a fabric.
The type and length of fiber used, the type of spinning method, and the type of fabric
construction all affect the transfer of fibers and the significance of fiber associations. This
becomes very important when there is a possibility of fiber transfer between a suspect and a
victim during the commission of a crime.

TYPES OF FIBER EVIDENCE

I. Natural Fibers- Many different natural fibers originating from plants and animals are used in
the production of fabric. Cotton fibers are the plant fibers most commonly used in textile
materials, with the type of cotton, fiber length, and degree of twist contributing to the diversity of
these fibers. Processing techniques and color applications also influence the value of cotton fiber

14
Hair Analysis & DNA – Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Minnesota Department of Public Safety
identifications. Other plant fibers used in the production of textile materials include flax (linen),
ramie, sisal, jute, hemp, kapok, and coir. The identification of less common plant fibers at a
crime scene or on the clothing of a suspect or victim would have increased significance.

The animal fiber most frequently used in the production of textile materials is wool, and the most
common wool fibers originate from sheep. The end use of sheep's wool often dictates the
fineness or coarseness of woolen fibers: Finer woolen fibers are used in the production of
clothing, whereas coarser fibers are found in carpet. Fiber diameter and degree of scale
protrusion of the fibers are other important characteristics. Although sheep's wool is most
common, woolen fibers from other animals may also be found. These include camel, alpaca,
cashmere, mohair, and others. The identification of less common animal fibers at a crime scene
or on the clothing of a suspect or victim would have increased significance.

II. Man-Made Fibers-More than half of all fibers used in the production of textile materials are
man-made. Some man-made fibers originate from natural materials such as cotton or wood;
others originate from synthetic materials. Polyester and nylon fibers are the most commonly
encountered man-made fibers, followed by acrylics, rayons, and acetates. There are also many
other less common man-made fibers. The amount of production of a particular man-made fiber
and its end use influence the degree of rarity of a given fiber.
The shape of a man-made fiber can determine the value placed on that fiber. The cross section of
a man-made fiber can be manufacturer-specific: Some cross sections are more common than
others, and some shapes may only be produced for a short period of time. Unusual cross sections
encountered through examination can add increased significance to a fiber association.
 TRANSFER OF FIBERS
I. Fabric Type- How a fabric is constructed affects the number and types of fibers that may be
transferred during contact. Tightly woven or knitted fabrics shed less often than loosely knit or
woven fabrics; fabrics composed of filament yarns shed less than fabrics composed of spun
yarns. Certain types of fibers also tend to transfer more readily.15

The age of a fabric also affects the degree of fiber transfers. Some newer fabrics may shed more
readily because of an abundance of loosely adhering fibers on the surface of the fabric. Some
worn fabrics may have damaged areas that easily shed fibers. Damage to a fabric caused during
physical contact greatly increases the likelihood of fiber transfer.

II. Fabric Source Determination- When a questioned fiber is compared to fibers from a known
fabric source, a determination is made as to whether this fiber could have originated from the
known fabric. It is not possible to say positively that a fiber originated from a particular fabric,
although the inability to positively associate a fiber with a source in no way diminishes the
significance of a fiber association. The wide variety of fiber types, fiber colors, and fabric types
can make fiber associations very significant because the value of a fiber association depends on
the type of fiber, the color of the fiber, the number of fibers transferred, the location of the
recovered fibers, and other factors.

Once a particular fiber of a certain type, shape, and color is produced and becomes part of a
fabric, it occupies an extremely small portion of the fiber/fabric population. Exceptions to this
would be white cotton fibers and blue cotton fibers like those comprising blue jeans. There are
other fibers that are common, but the majority of fibers of a particular type and color constitute a
very small percentage of the total number of fibers that exist in the world.

FIBER TRANSFER & PERSISTENCE

Fiber Transfer and Persistence-Textile fibers are transferred to the surface of a fabric either by
direct transfer (primary transfer) or indirect transfer (secondary transfer). The likelihood of
transfer depends on the types of fabric involved in the contact and the nature and duration of the
contact. Studies have shown that transferred fibers are lost rather quickly, depending on the types

15
Hairs, Fibers, Crime, and Evidence, Part 1, by DeedrickDouglas W. Forensic Science Communication July 2000, Vol
2 Number 3
of fabrics involved and on the movement of the clothing after contact. For example, the clothing
of a homicide victim would tend to retain transferred fibers for a longer period of time because
the victim is not moving.

Emergency personnel, medical examiners, and investigators must handle the victim's clothing
carefully to minimize fiber loss. Fibers transferred onto the clothing of an assault victim or onto
the suspect's clothing will be lost if the victim and suspect move about, brush the clothing, or
wash the clothing. It is difficult to predict precisely how many fibers might remain on the
clothing of a living victim or suspect after a given period of time, but it is important for
investigators to retrieve and preserve the clothing from these individuals as soon as possible.16

Nature of Contact-The type of physical contact between a suspect and a victim can determine
the number of fibers transferred and the value placed on their discovery. Violent physical contact
of an extended duration will very often result in numerous fiber transfers.

Multiple Fiber Association-Multiple fiber types found on different items of clothing or fabric
from the suspect, victim, and crime scene greatly increase the likelihood that contact occurred
between these individuals and the scene. Each associated fiber type is considered to be an
independent event and multiple associations undermine a coincidence defense.

FIBER EVIDENCE: ASSIGNING SIGNIFICANCE17

Whenever a fiber found on the clothing of a victim matches the known fibers of a suspect's
clothing, it can be a significant event. Matching dyed synthetic fibers or dyed natural fibers can
be very meaningful, whereas the matching of common fibers such as white cotton or blue denim
cotton would be less significant. In some situations, however, the presence of white cotton or
blue denim cotton may still have some meaning in resolving the truth of an issue. The discovery
of cross transfers and multiple fiber transfers between the suspect's clothing and the victim's
clothing dramatically increases the likelihood that these two individuals had physical contact.

16
Hair & Fibers Forensics: Jack Claridge Explore Forensics
17
Hairs, Fibers, Crime, and Evidence, Part 1, by DeedrickDouglas W. Forensic Science Communication July 2000,
Vol 2 Number 3
When a fiber examiner matches a questioned fiber to a known item of clothing, there are only
two possible explanations:

 The fiber actually originated from the item of clothing, or

 The fiber did not originate from the item of clothing.

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 fibers was
directly observed. Since neither of these situations is likely to occur or be known, fiber
examiners will conclude that the fibers could have originated from the clothing or that the fibers
are consistent with originating from the clothing. The 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.

It is argued that the large volume of fabric produced reduces the significance of any fiber
association discovered in a criminal case. It can never be stated with certainty that a fiber
originated from a particular garment because other garments were likely produced using the
same fiber type and color. The inability to positively associate a fiber with a particular garment
to the exclusion of all other garments, however, does not mean that the fiber association is
without value.18

18
Pg. 169 Forensic Science- An Introduction to Scientific Crime Detection: Walls H.J. 2nd Edition Universal Law
Publishers
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Hair Analysis & DNA – Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Minnesota Department of

Public Safety
2. Forensic Science- An Introduction to Scientific Crime Detection: Walls H.J. 2nd Edition
Universal Law Publishers
3. Sherrow, Victoria (2006). Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History. 88 Post Road West,
Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
4. Feughelman, Max (1997). Mechanical Properties and Structure of Alpha-keratin Fibres:
Wool, Human Hair and Related Fibres
5. Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: Vij Krishan, 5th Edition Elsevier.
6. Hairs, Fibers, Crime, and Evidence, Part 2, by Deedrick Douglas W. Forensic Science
Communication July 2000, Vol 2 Number 3