ABSTRACT
Fiber is a thread of any material that is longer than its width. It is a trace evidence that can be found at the crime scene and can help to link the suspect to the crime scene and the victim. It is not the individual evidence but can help to narrow down the list of suspects in great extent. This chapter discusses the fiber as evidence and its classification as natural or synthetic fiber. Then it also gives some information about the types of fibers that are commonly found at the scene of crime like cotton, polyester, rayon, nylon, etc. The collection and preservation of the fiber should be done properly and, whenever possible, control samples should also be collected and preserved separately. The forensic scientists then analyze the samples using various methods. The forensic workflow for the fiber analysis is physical examination, microscopic examination, and then chemical examination. In physical examination, the properties of the fiber that are visible to the naked eye are observed and noted down. Then in microscopic examination, the comparison between the suspected fiber and the control fiber is carried out and, lastly, chemical examination is performed like burning test, solubility test, etc. to identify the type and characteristics of the fiber. At the end of this chapter is a case study for better understanding of the use of fiber as an evidence in forensic casework.
