Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

case for separate examinations of the interior and exterior of a mask. To this
end, ski masks (n = 20) were each seeded with 50 test fibres on either the
interior or exterior only. The masks were subsequently packaged, shipped,
and processed according to standard procedures before the final recovery
locations of the fibres were documented. The results obtained suggested that
11 (55%) of the ski masks showed evidence of test-fibre transfer redistribution
at some point during the study, although the number of fibres transferred only
ranged from one to three. The study concluded that the probability that a fibre
will be recovered from the same side on which it was deposited is higher than
the probability that it will be recovered from the opposite side, but an examiner
cannot conclude with certainty that fibres recovered in the laboratory from the
interior or exterior of an item of evidence were originally deposited on that
side. In many cases, processing of all the surfaces together may be
acceptable.
In another transfer and persistence study, De Wael and Gason [29]
investigated the properties of microfibres as relatively little research has been
carried out into this aspect of these fibres and further data was required in
order to assist the interpretation of fibre findings associated with a murder
case. The results obtained show that large amounts of microfibres can be
transferred, although the degree of transference depends on the nature of the
contact and the structure of the microfibre garment.
Coyle and Jones [30] surveyed the use of flock in the interior of a number of
motor vehicles. All vehicles had samples of flocked material in their interiors.
Flocked material was found on the window channels, window frames, door
edges and in glove compartments or central console compartments. The front
seats of these vehicles were examined for loose flock fibres. All vehicles had
flock fibres present on the front seats. In the majority of vehicles, flock
originating from material in the vehicle's interior was present on the front seats
of the vehicle. The number of flock fibres present on the front seats varied
greatly from car to car but did not appear to be dependant on the type of seat
fabric or on which areas in the car were flocked. The potential for these to be
transferred to an occupant and the importance of taping the clothing of a
suspect, where a link to a vehicle is in question, is discussed. In a follow up
study [31], the authors performed a target fibre study to determine how likely it
is that a particular flock fibres from a vehicle is likely to be encountered
through chance. As with previous studies using other fibre targets, the authors
concluded an adventitious match was highly unlikely.
Dillinger [32] used a casework example is used to illustrate the investigative
benefits of examining textile labels on items of clothing in order to obtain
useful information with regard to clothing evidence. Such labels allow the
manufacturer to provide exact details regarding the production and sales time
period of the garments to which they were fitted. Also, the examination of
textile labels allows investigators to reach conclusions relating to the
authenticity of clothing, production figures, year of production, and possibly,
the point of sale. Dillinger [33] also reported on new technical aspects relating
to video imaging of textile materials and demonstrated how various factors
associated with this method could lead to erroneous conclusions regarding
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