ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 March 1988
Page Count: 5

Simple, Rapid, and Unique Hand Techniques for Cross-Sectioning Fibers and Hair
Henry Inami, S
Criminalists, Laboratory of Criminalistics, Office of the District Attorney, Santa Clara County, CA

Fong, W
Criminalists, Laboratory of Criminalistics, Office of the District Attorney, Santa Clara County, CA

(Received 20 April 1987; accepted 16 June 1987)

Abstract

Three methods for hand cross-sectioning of textile fibers are described. The first is intended for usage with single fibers and involves “heat shrinking” a plastic capillary onto a previously inserted fiber. The second is intended for usage when the fibers are present in abundance. It involves repeatedly pulling the fiber bundle through melted wax to build up an embedding medium of sufficient thickness. The third is intended for usage with either a single or multiple fibers in special situations and involves laminating the fibers in thin sheets of cellulose nitrate. All three are designed for cross-sectioning by hand while observing through a low-power stereoscopic microscope. Quality cross sections are produced. The methods are simple, and two of the three are exceptionally rapid. All are equally applicable to the cross-sectioning of hair.

Keywords:
criminalistics, fibers, hair, cross-sectioning

Paper ID: JFS11943J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11943J
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