Forensic taphonomy The postmaortem fate of human remains Biodegradation of hairs and fibers The role of trace evidence

Hairs and fibers constitute important categories of trace evidence. trace evidence is the term used by forensic scientists to describe the minute particles of soil, glass, paint, hairs, textile fibers, arson accelerants, and explosive residues that may be found at the scene of a crime, on the body of a crime victim, or on the person of the perpetrator of a crime. Trace evidence is frequently exchanged between the crime scene, the victim, and the perpetrator of the crime; it therefore provides circumstantial evidence that may associate a suspect in a criminal investigation with a victim or with a crime scene. The exchange of trace evidence is governed by the locard exchange principle. Named for French forensic scientist Edmond locard, this principle states that when two surfaces come into contact, there will be an exchange of material between them. Because so many crimes involve contact between the perpetrator and the crime scene (including the person of the victim) some kind of trace evidence should be recoverable in virtually all crimes. The use of trace evidence in criminal investigations and subsequent prosecutions depends on its recognition and preservation at the scene of the crime and its identification and comparison with exemplars in the forensic science laboratory (deforest et al. 1983) This discussion will focus on the biodeterioration of physical evidence, specifically hairs and fibers. It is therefore important to understand at the outset what is meant by the term biodeterioration. Huek (1965, 1968) has defined biodeterioration as any undesirable change in the properties of a material caused by the vital activities of organisms. The deterioration of biological materials by agent other than living organisms does not fall within the limits of this definition of biodeterioration. Nevertheless, the deterioration of biological materials is commonly included under the term biodeterioration. biodegradationis a term that is often used in conjunction with the term biodeterioration. As commonly used, biodegradation means the use of the ability of organisms to break down materials to convert waste material into a more useful or acceptable form. (allsop and seal 1986) no restrictions are placed on the size or nature of the organisms involved in biodeterioration and biodegradation. Microorganisms, given their ubiquity and versatility, are obviously significant agents of biodeterioration and biodegradation. However, higher organism such as insect, mice, rats, and human beings are also major biodeteriogens.

Biodeterioration becomes an issue in a criminal investigation when it either prevents the identification of a piece of physical evidence or prevents that evidence from being meaningfully compared with an exemplar. As will be seen in the subsequent discussion, the most common effect of biodeterioration on hairs and fiber is to produce morphological change. If these are severe enough, meaningful comparisons with exemplar materials may be precluded. If the biodeterioration of an item of evidence is severe enough to prevent its identification, the evidence will probably not be recognized and preserved at the scene of the crime. Occasionally, biodeterioration of evidence can produce health hazards. For example, clothing can be contaminated with a variety of microorganisms. Mold-contaminated clothing can cause severe allergic reactions among police and laboratory personnel unless appropriate safety precautions are taken.