NCJ Number
158073
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 40 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1995) Pages: 874-882
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study created fabric damage under various known conditions, examined the fiber's fracture morphology, photographed scanning electron microscope (SEM) fiber-end images, and compared the appearance characteristics with known theory.
Abstract
Three hundred and twenty-two individual fiber micrographs (103 scissor-cut, 105 knife-cut, and 114 impact tear fiber ends) were compared to theoretical models and were assigned to one of three descriptors: lateral compression, clean-cut, mushroom cap, or undefinable. Results of the study showed that 80 percent of the impact tear specimens were correctly identified. However, this technique could not distinguish scissor cut from knife cut fiber ends because both produced compressed, clean cut, and undefinable fiber-end appearances. The author speculates that structural variables such as fabric type and fabric cover could affect observations resulting from different sources of damage. 1 table, 4 figures, and 13 references