Effect of decomposition on clothing damage evidence: A preliminary study

Esta Bostock,Graham Williams ,Gareth M. B. Parkes

doi:10.5920/css.541

Esta Bostock, Graham Williams

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5920/css.541

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Abstract

Textiles are generally present when a crime takes place and, in some cases, may be directly linked to a crime. Due to changes that occur to fabric over time, there is a risk of clothing damage being misinterpreted, and vital evidence being missed. This study is the first of a number of studies exploring the effect of decomposition upon clothing damage evidence following a stabbing. Sections of porcine tissue were wrapped in fabric in which stab cuts had been created, and left exposed to the environment alongside negative controls. Images of the damage were taken before and after a period of decomposition over two weeks. When compared to the negative controls, these images clearly demonstrated that there was a significant amount of alteration to the clothing damage evidence e.g. loose and fraying yarns, following a period of decomposition. Quantification of the fraying to the damage showed a statistically significant increase of the amount of fraying (p=<0.05).

Highlights

Clothing damage analysis is a field in which the examination of stab cuts, rips and tears can provide information about any weapons used or the actions used to assault someone (Boland, McDermott, & Ryan, 2007; Daéid, Cassidy, & McHugh, 2008; Taupin, 1998).This analysis becomes useful in cases where there is little or no evidence on the victims themselves such as assault cases where the examination of clothing for cuts and tears may help the investigator to corroborate or refute a scenario (Boland et al, 2007)
Visual comparison of the damage showed no apparent difference in the stab cuts between the fabric prior to decomposition and the fabric that was not wrapped around the porcine tissue; suggesting that the appearance of stab cuts is not affected by time in a stable environment and in the absence of a decomposing medium
Visual comparison of the stab cuts in the fabric wrapped round the porcine tissue after decomposition with the stab cuts prior to decomposition showed a marked increase of 0.24 mm in the fraying of the stab cut

Summary

Introduction

Clothing damage analysis is a field in which the examination of stab cuts, rips and tears can provide information about any weapons used or the actions used to assault someone (Boland, McDermott, & Ryan, 2007; Daéid, Cassidy, & McHugh, 2008; Taupin, 1998) This analysis becomes useful in cases where there is little or no evidence on the victims themselves such as assault cases where the examination of clothing for cuts and tears may help the investigator to corroborate or refute a scenario (Boland et al, 2007). Decomposition is a dynamic process with many mechanisms (Campobasso, Di Vella, & Introna, 2001) leading to the breakdown of the tissues, such as microbes (Vass, 2001), insects and soil fauna (Petersen & Luxton, 1982) This leads to the question: can the same mechanisms that affect the break-down of the wound and tissues influence the integrity of any clothing damage evidence? This leads to the question: can the same mechanisms that affect the break-down of the wound and tissues influence the integrity of any clothing damage evidence? The aim of this study was to establish whether decomposition has a significant effect on the integrity of clothing damage evidence, focusing on 100% cotton fabric

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