ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 6

Significant Fiber Evidence Recovered from the Clothing of a Homicide Victim After Exposure to the Elements for Twenty-Nine Days
Spencer, R
Forensic Chemist, County of Erie, Department of Central Police Services, Forensic Laboratory, NY

(Received 23 August 1993; accepted 29 October 1993)

Abstract

An adhesive tape lint removal roller was used to isolate fibers from a homicide victim's clothing that had been exposed to the elements for twenty-nine days. Comparison microscopy, microspectrophotometry, and infrared analysis were used to compare recovered fibers to known fibers obtained from the suspect's shirt and the car in which it was believed the homicide occurred. Fibers recovered from the victim's clothing included specimens that were indistinguishable from fibers constituting the suspect's shirt, and others that were indistinguishable from the three distinct types of fibers comprising the upholstery, carpeting, and trunk liner of the car. The distribution of fibers on the various garments helped corroborate the crime scenario.

Keywords:
criminalistics, fibers, homicide, criminal investigation

Paper ID: JFS13664J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13664J
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