Fibres - The Forensic Value Of Textile Fibres - Forensic Access: independent forensic scientists

Fibres - The Forensic Value Of Textile Fibres

Forensic Access is proud to have some of the UK's leading forensic fibre specialists working for it, forensic experts who have extensive criminal casework experience and have carried out fibre comparisons in some of the most highest-profile criminal cases in the country. We also have experts who are able to carry out industrial enquiries on fabrics and garments to assist in tracing fibres back to manufactured garments and to assist with the statistical interpretation of fibre evidence for the Courts.

Forensic Value Of Textile Fibres

When bodily contacts are known to have taken place, transference of fibres from clothing from one person to another may occur.
Individuals carrying out burglaries or breaking into properties for any other reason may also leave textile fibres at a scene of crime, for example, fibres can be found adhering to woodwork or glass at the point of entry.

Most fabrics (clothing and others) will transfer some of their constituent fibres in most contact situations. Transferred fibres represent a contact trace providing potential evidence.
Fibre examinations has become an important and specialised area of forensic casework since the textile industry has produced a wide range of man-made fibres in a multitude of colours. Forensic scientists routinely search items for fibres, preserving lifted fibres. Forensic fibre experts and microscopists/spectroscopists have developed the techniques of identification and dye evaluation of small fragments of fibres.

From a defence point of view, Forensic Access’ scientists can help to evaluate textile fibre evidence produced by the prosecution. We can:

re-examine exhibits previously examined by the prosecution, looking for other fibre evidence and to ensure nothing has been missed;
re-examine the “tape-lifts” taken from items in order to understand fibre populations, etc. and, again to esure nothing has been missed;
check that the procedure used to examine the exhibits and tape-lifts, and any subsequent analysis of fibres were in compliance with the laboratory’s stated, quality management procedures;
check to see if their has been any chance of contamination of the items and fibre tape-lifts;
discuss the interpretation of the textile fibre results with the prosecution scientist, exploring weaknesses and strengths of the interpretation;
check and assess the credibility of the fibres prosecution expert witness – there are very few forensic scientists left who have a detailed knowledge of fibres and their evidential value;
assess the validity of the methods and tests used by the prosecution;
look for and explore realistic and viable alternatives to the interpretation of evidence and the translation of that into how/when the event occurred and how any fibres found were transferred to the item;
produce a detailed report of the findings including photographs and diagrams where appropriate.