•Fibers are commonly found with burglary, assault, breaking and entering, and hit and run accidents.•Fibers can come from clothes, carpet, curtains, wigs and furniture.

Natural Fibers Produced entirely from plants or animals

Animal Fibers- Sheep-wool Goats-mohair and cashmere Camels Llamas Rabbit Mink

Plant Fibers- Cotton

Man-Made Fibers Regenerated Fibers- produced using

natural raw materials (ex. Rayon made from cellulose)

Synthetic Fibers- produced using synthetic chemicals (ex. Nylon made from petroleum and polyester made from thermoplastic polymer resin)

Identification Using Fibers

“Fit together” like puzzle pieces when fabric is torn- conclusive evidence.

Microscopic comparison- color, diameter, striations

Color comparison of specific dyes used with micro-spectrophotometer or chromatography.

Chemical composition-make sure fibers are from the same generic class and subclass with infrared spectrophotometry.