Scientific Protocols for Forensic Examination of Clothing

When a crime or other incident takes place, clothing items are often present or left behind, and can become directly involved in the case itself. Items of clothing are thus one of the most common types of exhibit examined in court. They can provide valuable information in cases of violent crimes, such as homicide or rape, as well as in burglary, robbery, arson, and vehicular accidents. A unique reference in the forensic arena The first of its kind, Scientific Protocols for Forensic Examination of Clothing discusses the forensic examination of clothing in criminal cases. It examines the ramifications of DNA profiling and its effect on the screening approach to clothing examination. Coverage includes protocols and procedures, preliminary assessment, examination, testing and sampling, quality assurance and control, and the significance of results. Applicable to a myriad of readers Suitable for a wide range of readers, this book is designed for examiners trying to decide how to approach a clothing examination, those looking for more information on a specific topic, laboratory quality assurance officers in need of a reliable reference, as well as attorneys, investigators, archaeologists, and curators. Expert authors Author Jane Moira Taupin has testified as a forensic expert more than 130 times. Chesterene Cwiklik is a founder of the Pacific Coast Forensic Science Institute. Their expertise makes this a valuable resource for all those who examine clothing items and interpret subsequent findings.

Protocols, Procedures, and Philosophy The Importance of Clothing Examination Clothing a "Crime Scene" Multiple Hypotheses, Alternative Explanations The Origin of Evidence Searching for Evidence and the Screening Effect Checklists, Guidelines, and Protocols Nonprescriptive Holistic Approach Preliminary Inquiries Focus of the Examination Information Concerning the Crime Levels of Information History of Exhibit Reference and Control Samples Preservation, Handling, and Storage Contamination Issues Health and Safety Preliminary Assessment Documentation Detection Recovery Clothing Construction Yarn and Fabric Composition Yarns or Threads Fabric Definitions Sewing Terminology Clothing Construction Terminology Stains and Deposits Introduction Information from Preliminary Examination Getting Started: Workflow for Examination of Stains and Deposits Sampling of Stains and Deposits Questions That Can Be Addressed by Stains and Deposits Sorting Tools for Stains and Deposits Establishing a Reference Collection Writing Reports Summary Terminology for Stains and Deposits Pattern Evidence Blood Pattern Analysis (BPA) Firearm Discharge Residue Patterns Direct Contact Impressions: Imprints and Indentations Physical Fit Damage Introduction Damage Categories Examination Approach Normal Wear and Tear and "Recency" Cuts Tears Holes and Punctures Stabbing Simulations Physical Fit Glass Cuts Microbial Damage Thermal (Fire and Heat) Damage Firearm Damage Other Textiles Limitations Glossary of Terms Human Biological Evidence Blood Semen Saliva Vaginal Secretions, Urine, Feces, and Vomit Dandruff DNA Wearer DNA Trace DNA Multiple Body Sources Mixtures Nonhuman Biological Evidence Conclusion Traces and Debris The Nature of Debris Sorting Tools for Evaluating Traces and Debris Composition of Debris Component vs. Non-Component Debris Transfers of Debris Questions That Can Be Addressed by Examinations of Traces andDebris Questions of Contact Target vs. Context-Based Examinations Absence of Debris Summary: Nature, Composition, Source, and Transfers ofTraces and Debris Sampling and Sorting Reference Samples and Reference Standards Reconstruction of Events Process-Based Descriptive Terminology for Traces and Debris Trace Evidence Recovery Guidelines (SWGMAT, 1999) Results and Their Significance Significance of the Evidence Expectations Context of Evidence Obtained from Clothing Objectivity and Opinion The Adversarial System and the Law Interpretation and Communication of the Evidence Peer, Technical, and Administrative Reviews Training and Maintaining the Expertise of the Clothing Examiner AppendicesIndex

Forensic scientists and technicians, attorneys, and judges.