1. A Study of Fibers and Textiles Chapter 4

2. Related Areas of Science Biology Cellulose Ex.) Why doesn’t cotton taste sweet? Because the fibers are bound together so that they are indigestable by humans. How to test for starch How to test for protein Microscopy Chemistry Monomers and polymers- which petroleum materials produce which properties Crystalline structure of linen Burn tests and chemical tests Physics Infrared radiation (heat) wavelength Wavelengths of polarized light Math Recognizing weave patterns

3. Timeline for Forensic Fiber Analysis 1786 – John Toms of Lancaster, England is convicted of murder on the basis of a torn wad of paper found in a pistol matching a remaining piece in his pocket. One of the first documented uses of physical matching. 1891 – Austrian Hans Gross publishes Criminal Investigations, the first description of the uses of physical evidence in solving crimes. 1950 – Max Frei-Sulzer develops the tape lift method of collecting trace evidence. 1980’s – Atlanta murders solves with carpet fiber analysis