Three hundred and twenty-two individual fiber micrographs (103 scissor-cut, 105 knife-cut, and 114 impact tear fiber ends) were compared to theoretical models and were assigned to one of three descriptors: lateral compression, clean-cut, mushroom cap, or undefinable. Results of the study showed that 80 percent of the impact tear specimens were correctly identified. However, this technique could not distinguish scissor cut from knife cut fiber ends because both produced compressed, clean cut, and undefinable fiber-end appearances. The author speculates that structural variables such as fabric type and fabric cover could affect observations resulting from different sources of damage. 1 table, 4 figures, and 13 references