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Evidential Value of Fabric Car Seats and Car Seat Covers

NCJ Number
106048
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (March-April 1987) Pages: 93-101
Author(s)
K G Wiggins; J E Allard
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The task of the forensic scientist, who is asked to demonstrate contact between people and automobiles, is made easier by analysis of fur-fabric seat covers and fabric seats.
Abstract
The major manufacturers of seat covers and fabrics have contributed seat covers to test the value of this type of evidence. Samples were collected from industry and casework, and their fiber composition and dyes were compared. The results indicated that fiber evidence obtained from either clothing or automobile seats can often be reliable and valuable. There is such a high degree of variability in the production of both seat covers and seat fabrics that fiber evidence should be valuable, particularly when it is combined with a transfer of clothing fibers onto the car seats. 1 table, 1 figure, and 7 references. (Author abstract modified)