Forensic Examination of Fibres: Microscopy

Microscopy plays a central role in textile fiber examinations. It is a quick, accurate, and non-destructive tool that is used in the recovery, identification, and comparison of fiber evidence. A range of microscopic tools are available to the forensic fiber examiner and a thorough understanding of the different types of microscopes available and the information that can be gained from their application, is a requisite. Such knowledge gives the fiber examiner the flexibility to adapt the examination sequence to maximise discrimination power, based on the target fibers being examined and to best suit the specific circumstances of the case. This article is therefore not intended to be a descriptive laboratory manual or a standard operating procedure, but rather as a typical overview of the workflow and methods employed in a modern operational forensic science laboratory.