Textile fibres and crime investigation

Funding: 1999: $66,000
2000: $63,000
2001: $64,000

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC SPIRT (Strategic Partnerships with Industry Re)
Australian Federal Police

Start year: 1999

Summary: Outstanding problems in forensic science are associated with the ability to assess the significanc of textile fibres found in criminal cases. Very little work has been done in the field internationally. No data are available for the Australian context. This situation is unacceptable because it has the potential to lead to miscarriages of justice. The main Australian forensic provider and two major research institutions with unique expertise in the field, have teamed up to address these problems. Their project will bring invaluable knowledge on fibre evidence in Australia.. These results will have direct application at the Courtroom and benefit the wider community. Australia needs to support value added research in forensic science and cannot afford to be ill informed in areas relevant to its fight against crime. The general objectives of the original projects were aimed at assessing the evidential value of textile fibres in the Australian context.

Publications:

Langdon, S, Maynard, P, Robertson, J & Roux, C 2003, 'An evaluation of the Maxcan fibre finder version 3.3 on cotton fibres', Forensic Science International, vol. 135, no. 2, pp. 137-145.
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Cantrell, S, Roux, C, Maynard, P & Robertson, J 2001, 'A textile fibre survey as an aid to the interpretation of fibre evidence in the Sydney region', Forensic Science International, vol. 123, no. 1, pp. 48-53.
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Roux, C, Huttunen, J, Rampling, K & Robertson, J 2001, 'Factors affecting the potential for fibre contamination in purpose-designed forensic search rooms', Science & Justice, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 135-144.
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Robertson, J & Roux, CP 2000, 'Fibres: Transfer and Persistence' in Siegel, JA, Knupfer, G & Saukko, P (eds), Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, ACADEMIC PRESS, pp. 834-838.

Roux, CP & Robertson, J 2000, 'Fibres: Significance' in Siegel, J, Knupfer, G & Saukko, P (eds), Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, ACADEMIC PRESS, pp. 829-834.

Roux, CP & Robertson, J 2000, 'Fibres: Types' in Siegel, J, Knupfer, G & Saukko, P (eds), Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, ACADEMIC PRESS, pp. 838-854.

Roux, C, Langdon, S, Waight, D & Robertson, J 1999, 'The transfer and persistence of automotive carpet fibres on shoe soles', Science & Justice, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 239-251.
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FOR Codes: Applied sciences and technologies, Public services n.e.c., Physical Sciences n.e.c., Chemical Sciences n.e.c., Material Sciences and Technologies n.e.c., Ethical issues n.e.c.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.