The Slog of Particulate Matter, Hair and Fibres

Abstract

Apart from the body fluids, there are two types of trace evidence exchanged at the scene of a crime:

• (a) Biological material that can be hair, natural and man-made fibres, fragments of wood, cigarette ash, pollen, bits of plants and portions of insects. The latter, when found in a drugs haul, might give valuable clues about the country of origin.

• (b) Chemical particles that include bits of paint, glass, synthetic rubber, dried ink, dried oil, soil components, drug particles and residues left by explosions and the discharge of firearms.