What do forensic scientists measure when comparing fibers?

What do forensic scientists measure when comparing fibers?

Richard Saferstein (Former Chief Forensic Scientist) gives expert video advice on: What is 'trace evidence' and how is it studied in CSI?; What is the 'exchange principle' of CSI?; How does studying hair help in CSI? and more...

It depends on the nature of the fiber. If it is a natural fiber such as cotton or wool, the microscope is the key tool. They are looking at the thickness, the color of the fiber, and the morphologic characteristics as observed underneath the microscope is key to that examination. If, however we're dealing with man-made fibers, there are microscopic considerations to be made such as the color, the thickness, and the morphological characteristics. But also we will look at the chemical aspects of that fiber. We will look at its chemical composition. We will look to see and we can characterize the color of the fiber, through the spectral analysis. It is a much more complicated and lengthy procedure to do a man-made fiber analysis as opposed to natural fiber.