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Schnegg M, Turchany M, Deviterne M, et al. A preliminary investigation of textile fibers in smothering scenarios and alternative legitimate activities. Forensic Sci Int. 2017;279:165-176doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.020.
Schnegg, M., Turchany, M., Deviterne, M., Gueissaz, L., Hess, S., & Massonnet, G. (2017). A preliminary investigation of textile fibers in smothering scenarios and alternative legitimate activities. Forensic science international, 279165-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.020
Schnegg, Michael, et al. "A preliminary investigation of textile fibers in smothering scenarios and alternative legitimate activities." Forensic science international vol. 279 (2017): 165-176. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.020
Schnegg M, Turchany M, Deviterne M, Gueissaz L, Hess S, Massonnet G. A preliminary investigation of textile fibers in smothering scenarios and alternative legitimate activities. Forensic Sci Int. 2017 Oct;279:165-176. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.020. Epub 2017 Aug 25. PMID: 28886411.
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Forensic Sci Int. 2017 Oct;279:165-176. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.020. Epub 2017 Aug 25.

A preliminary investigation of textile fibers in smothering scenarios and alternative legitimate activities.

Forensic science international

Michael Schnegg, Morgane Turchany, Marie Deviterne, Line Gueissaz, Sabine Hess, Geneviève Massonnet

Affiliations

  1. University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, Batochime, CH-1015 Lausanne - Dorigny, Switzerland. Electronic address: [email protected].
  2. University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, Batochime, CH-1015 Lausanne - Dorigny, Switzerland.
  3. Forensisches Institut Zürich, Zeughausstrasse 11, CH-8004 Zürich, Switzerland.

PMID: 28886411 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.020

Abstract

Was this group of target fibers transferred during a criminal action? Is it possible that it was transferred during another legitimate activity? Acquiring knowledge about the activity, whether legitimate or criminal, leading to the transfer of a group of fibers is a recurring challenge encountered throughout the evidence interpretation process. Trace evidence such as fibers may assist with generating a reasoning of the activity which produced the trace, but this assumes that one already has a thorough understanding of the transfer phenomenon. How to generate and then use such relevant knowledge? What are the influencing parameters and which ones should (or can) be controlled? The present work focuses on homicides by smothering using a pillow and the transfer of fibers on the face of the victim in such events. A legitimate activity - represented by a night's sleep on a pillow - was also investigated since such legitimate, alternative explanations concerning the presence of fibers could likely be formulated by the suspect. The number and distribution of fibers transferred onto the victim's face in either scenario were investigated and interpreted using a Bayesian approach. Results showed that the shedding capacity of the pillowcase strongly impact the number of fibers recovered. The nature of the action, modus operandi and amount of friction could not be excluded in their influence on the transfer of fibers. Finally, likelihood ratios indicating the number of fibers recovered from the victim's face can provide relevant information by supporting either criminal or legitimate proposition (i.e., smothering or night's sleep scenario).

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: 1:1 taping; Fiber distribution; Fiber transfer; Forensic interpretation; Trace evidence

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