Science & Justice
Volume 49, Issue 4 , Pages 259-264, December 2009

The population, transfer and persistence of fibres on the skin of living subjects

  • Ray Palmer

      Affiliations

    • The Forensic Science Service, Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE296NU, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
    • ,
  • Hilary J. Burch

      Affiliations

    • The Forensic Science Service, Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE296NU, UK
    • Centre for Forensic Science, University of Strathclyde, Royal College, 204 George St, Glasgow, G1 1XW, UK
    • Present address: The Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK.

Received 19 January 2009; received in revised form 25 February 2009; accepted 28 February 2009. published online 09 April 2009.

Abstract 

Fibres were transferred to the bare arms of living subjects and their persistence determined at intervals up to 24 h, during which normal daily activity was undertaken. Decay curves showed an initial rapid loss followed by an apparently exponential decay. No target fibres were found to remain after 24 h. The length distribution showed a shift towards shorter fibre lengths and the differential shedding results for a polyester/cotton mixture showed a small bias towards the retention of cotton. The population of coloured fibres on bare skin was classified according to perceived colour, length, generic class and the presence or absence of delustrant.

Keywords: Fibres, Persistence, Transfer, Length, Skin, Bathing

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1355-0306(09)00050-1

doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2009.02.008

Science & Justice
Volume 49, Issue 4 , Pages 259-264, December 2009

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution