Examination of fibrous materials and products made from them
Examination of fabrics, threads, fibres, clothing, textile fragments, ropes, cords, upholstery, bedding and microparticles of a fibrous nature.
Examination of fibres and textile objects helps describe their nature, features and similarity to comparison samples. For microparticles, preservation and information about possible extraneous transfer are especially important.
Subject of examination
- Fibres, threads, fabrics and product fragments
- Clothing, upholstery, cords and ropes
- Deposits on items and comparison samples
Sample questions for the expert
- Are fibrous particles present on the object, and what features do they have?
- What is their class or group classification within the scope of the methods used?
- Are the fibres found comparable with the submitted samples?
- What data allow contact between objects to be considered, and what alternatives need to be taken into account?
The final questions are formulated according to the objects and circumstances of the particular task.
What to prepare
- Objects and samples in separate, intact packaging
- Information about the place, time and method of discovery
- Photographs and documents recording recovery and subsequent movements
- Questions and information about known contacts or cleaning
How the examination is conducted
The objects' suitability and risk of contamination are assessed. Comparison is based on the full set of established features; the choice of special methods depends on the material and the examination actually available.
Scope and limitations
Similarity in class features does not always allow a single source to be established. Do not clean, shake off traces from or store items bearing traces together on your own.
What the deliverable records
The opinion describes the particles found, comparison results and limits of findings on origin and contact interaction.
Cost and terms
from 70 000 ₽. The final price and timeframe are recorded in the order before payment.
Resources on the subject
The product's own material and foreign fibres on it
Clothing or upholstery may consist of a main fabric, lining, seams, filling and trim. When comparing, it is important to understand which part of the product each sample represents. A fibre found on the surface may belong to the item itself or have another origin; these possibilities are considered separately.
When testing a contact hypothesis, it is useful to keep track of where the particles were found. A generic description such as «on clothing» is less informative than a link to a specific component and side of the item. If the traces have already been recovered, attach documents linking each package or substrate to the corresponding area. Particles recovered by different methods should not automatically be treated as one homogeneous group.
What to clarify when defining the task
- Whether the composition of the textile material itself or the origin of foreign particles is being examined.
- Which component of the item is proposed as a possible source of fibres.
- Whether other textile items that the object touched or was stored with are known.
- Whether there was washing, repair, prolonged use or previous examination.
The number of particles found, their distribution and comparison results matter together with the circumstances of the case. A fibre's similarity to one fabric does not automatically describe the method and time of transfer. The findings should distinguish the material's characteristics, the comparison result and assessment of the contact-interaction hypothesis. A narrower question requires corresponding source information; making the assignment wording more categorical does not turn a class feature into an individualizing one.
Send a description of the objects and materials
You can send photographs of the objects, a ruling, court order, opinion for review, draft questions and information about packaging and comparison samples.
- fibres, fabrics, threads, clothing, upholstery;
- paint materials and coatings;
- microparticles and contact traces;
- vehicle paintwork and road accident traces;
- report review and questions for court.