ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 May 1998
Page Count: 3

The Retention and Recovery of Transferred Fibers Following the Washing of Recipient Clothing
Palmer, R
Senior forensic scientist, Police Forensic Science Laboratory,

(Received 28 March 1997; accepted 10 September 1997)

Abstract

Laboratory coats which had been subjected to contact with a yellow polyester/cotton polo shirt and were subsequently sent to an external laundry service. Surface debris tapings were taken from the items on return, and these were searched for fibers originating from the target garment. Additionally, a mock assault by an “assailant” wearing a blue acrylic top was carried out on various “victims” who, after returning home, discarded their upper clothing prior to domestic washing. Surface debris tapings taken from this clothing after drying were searched for fibers originating from the target garment using the FX5 automated fiber finding equipment (Foster & Freeman). The number of garments demonstrating the retention of target fibers, as well as the number of retained fibers, were noted.

Keywords:
forensic science, fibers, retention, washing, automated fiber finder, FX5, acrylic, recovery

Paper ID: JFS16176J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS16176J
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