ABSTRACT
If forensic fibre examiners are to fully exploit fibre and textile evidence during analysis they require not only specialised forensic knowledge but also knowledge of fibres, yarns and fabrics. Production, structure and the properties of these materials is required in order to assess the value of fibre evidence. It is necessary to also know production figures, dye variability and other factors that may have a bearing on the information obtained. The fundamental use of textiles by ancient man was for the purpose of protection and the initial textile used was the animal skin. Without synthetic textile products world production of natural fibres would be unable to satisfy world consumer demand for fibres and their products. Cotton fibres sourced from different growing regions vary widely in fibre length, fineness and colour. Bamboo fibre is a type of viscose rayon manufactured from cellulose pulp derived from the bamboo plant. Lyocell is a regenerated cellulosic fibre made by spinning from a solvent.
