Abstract
‘Trace evidence’ studies the principles, techniques, and assessment of trace evidence examination (such as fibres, glass, or paint), and its importance in police investigations. Fibres are first examined crudely under a microscope, then matching fibres are examined further using microspectrophotometry. The composition of paint varies widely, but its examination is similar to that of fibres — the sample undergoes microscopy before being subjected to a chemical assay. Glass fragments do not stay on fabrics for very long and are ususally lost within a day. Again, glass is analysed using microscopy, with more advanced results available from interferometry.
