Factors affecting the potential for fibre contamination in purpose-designed forensic search rooms

Roux, C; Huttunen, J; Rampling, K; Robertson, J

Factors affecting the potential for fibre contamination in purpose-designed forensic search rooms

Roux, C

Huttunen, J Rampling, K Robertson, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Science and Justice - Journal of the Forensic Science Society, 2001, 41 (3), pp. 135 - 144
Issue Date:: 2001-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Roux, C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3610-420X	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Huttunen, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rampling, K	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Robertson, J	en_US
dc.date.issued	2001-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Science and Justice - Journal of the Forensic Science Society, 2001, 41 (3), pp. 135 - 144	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1355-0306	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/6065
dc.description.abstract	This study investigated fibre movement within and out of a search room, when performing a garment examination. The effect of the collection procedure (taping v. scraping) on the number of contaminant fibres produced, and the effectiveness of a number of cleaning techniques and varying degrees of examiner hygiene were also studied. Fibre movement was found to be dependent upon distance, with fibre populations decreasing with increasing distance from the garment examination area. Most fibres were deposited during the actual examination. Cotton fibres were more easily shed and also found to be airborne for longer periods of time than wool, acrylic and polyester fibres. The ‘scraping method’ of fibre recovery was found to result in an increase in the number of loose fibres with transfer to the examiner’s clothing and a number of fibres exiting the search room. It is unlikely that a completely clean search room can be obtained. However, with proper precautions it is possible to minimise and monitor the contaminant fibre population. These features are presented and discussed in this paper. © 2001 Forensic Science Society.	en_US
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/C29920019
dc.relation.ispartof	Science and Justice - Journal of the Forensic Science Society	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/S1355-0306(01)71878-3	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine	en_US
dc.title	Factors affecting the potential for fibre contamination in purpose-designed forensic search rooms	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	41	en_US
utslib.for	0699 Other Biological Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	0399 Other Chemical Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	41	en_US

Abstract:

This study investigated fibre movement within and out of a search room, when performing a garment examination. The effect of the collection procedure (taping v. scraping) on the number of contaminant fibres produced, and the effectiveness of a number of cleaning techniques and varying degrees of examiner hygiene were also studied. Fibre movement was found to be dependent upon distance, with fibre populations decreasing with increasing distance from the garment examination area. Most fibres were deposited during the actual examination. Cotton fibres were more easily shed and also found to be airborne for longer periods of time than wool, acrylic and polyester fibres. The ‘scraping method’ of fibre recovery was found to result in an increase in the number of loose fibres with transfer to the examiner’s clothing and a number of fibres exiting the search room. It is unlikely that a completely clean search room can be obtained. However, with proper precautions it is possible to minimise and monitor the contaminant fibre population. These features are presented and discussed in this paper. © 2001 Forensic Science Society.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/6065