How do fibre and soil evidence help us make inferences?

Targets

At the end of this Unit you should be able to answer the following questions 

2. How can evidence be linked to its possible source?

2.1 How can impression evidence such as shoe prints and tire prints provide information?

2.2 How do handwriting and ink evidence help us make inferences?

2.3 How do fibre and soil evidence help us make inferences?

2.4 How can you classify fingerprint evidence collected from various surfaces?

targets

In addition to impression evidence (footprints and tire treads) or handwritten notes, other types of evidence might remain also.  Trace evidence is usually small bits of material left at a crime scene that can be detected and analyzed to find out its source.  Examples of trace evidence are soil, hair, and fibres (especially from clothing).


  Science Connection

Another type of trace evidence that can be found and analysed is hair.  Unlike fingerprints, hair is not unique to each individual.  However, close examinations of hair can help investigators narrow their suspect search.

Watch this video to learn more about how to collect hair and fibre from a crime scene.