Fabrics
can be examined in pieces, threads or fibers.
Individual fibers will have characteristics which distinguish
them from other fibers. Police
not only examine fiber, but also consider the probability of a fiber
being in a certain location. There are several possible tests when
dealing with fabric: stretch (pulling the fabric from side to side and
then measuring the size), colorfastness (after soaking the fabric,
observing and measuring the dye remaining), absorbency (estimating the
amount of water absorbed), wrinkling (after bunching the fabric and
holding the fabric, thread, and flammability.
