NCJ Number
138364
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: (April/June 1992) Pages: 159-167
Date Published
1992
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In cases involving textile fibers, forensic evidence on ropes or items of clothing can best be evaluated by obtaining information about their manufacture, for use in conjunction with other types of information.
Abstract
Rope or twine manufacturers can be traced in several ways, including a card index of previous inquiries, a collection of rope samples, and rope manufacturers themselves. In the case of clothing inquiries, it is normal to begin with the retailer and then go back to the manufacturer. The garment order may not be specific to the retailer, since excess garments could have been manufactured and sold elsewhere. It is necessary to determine how many garments were manufactured and how many of these were supplied to other retailers. Questions related to yarn and fiber dye should also be pursued. In England, a problem with industrial inquiries is that most of the information is hearsay and cannot be presented in court. An additional practical problem is that the time involved in tracing manufacturers and then accomplishing the necessary technical work make it impossible to trace every relevant garment in every case. Consideration must be given to the type of garment and what an inquiry can be expected to yield before the inquiry is initiated. Only major crime cases, such as armed robbery, murder, or rape, would normally be the subject of industrial inquiries. Examples of industrial inquiries in England are cited. 25 references and 1 table