ABSTRACT
The most important evidence in most criminal cases is not the smoking revolver or the blood-stained knife, but rather, small, often microscopic-sized bits of materials referred to as trace evidence. One or more types of trace evidence have been reported in 80% of criminal cases in a recent study [1]. Had evidence recognition and handling procedures been optimized, there would probably be one or more types of trace evidence found in nearly every case. Trace evidence can provide (1) important associations between people, places, and various ob jects, (2) a description of the occupation or environment of the principals in a case, and occasionally (3), unequivocal association between people, places, and things. Trace evidence can be divided into two major categories: fibrous sub stances and particulate matter. Fibrous substances may be further subdivided into human hair, animal hair, and fibers. The fiber category includes synthetic, vegetable, and mineral fibers. This chapter is concerned with synthetic fibers.
