Wayne Williams Fiber Evidence

Fiber evidence has become an essential part of criminal cases involving personal contacts such as homicide, assault, or sexual offenses in which cross-transfers may occur between the clothing of the suspect and victim. (Saferstein, 2015). Fiber evidence has not played a significant role in many cases involving large amounts of casualties until Wayne Williams, the Atlanta Child Murderer. (Deadman, 1984) During an investigation fibrous debris removed from the bodies of twelve victims were used to link Williams to the victim; however, Williams was charged with only two victims out of the known victims. Humans depend on natural and manufactured fibers. Natural fibers are derived from animals or plant sources. (Saferstein, 2015) Manufactured fibers
The identification and comparison of fiber depend on a microscopic examination of color, texture, patterns, twist, cross-sectional, and morphological characteristics. (Saferstein, 2015) Most fiber evidence lies in criminalist’s ability to trace their origin. Fabrics have made it fiber evidential value, due to the dye in cotton. Williams’s home, car, and a yellowish-green blanket found underneath Williams’s bed during the search provided various fibers similar to those found on the victims’ bodies. These fibers were yellowish-green nylon and violet acetate. A criminalist must obtain a physical match of nonexistence, and the examiner must resort to a side-by-side comparison of standard or reference and crime scene fiber. (Saferstein, 2015) The most important step in the examination of fiber is a microscopic comparison of color and diameter using a microscope. The yellowish-green nylon and violet acetate fibers were generally similar to each other in appearance and properties and considered to have originated from a single source. (Deadman, 1984) “Although two fibers may seem to have the same color when viewed under the microscope, compositional differences may exist in the dyes that were applied, then during their manufacture" (Saferstein, 2015, p.
(Saferstein, 2015) Two or more fibers must show the same chemical composition when an analysis is completed. The polymers compose manufactured fiber absorb infrared light in a characteristic pattern. Chemical reagents determine fiber chemical composition and the examiner uses infrared spectroscopy pyrolysis gas chromatography to identify. Later, it was discovered that the fibers from victim Cater’s body matched the yellowish-green carpet, bedspread, and dog hairs found inside Williams’s home. When examining the cross-sectional shape of a fiber may help characterize the fiber of nylon; nevertheless, it’s difficult to determine the manufacturer. (Saferstein, 2015) Once Williams was found to be suspect, it was discovered the yellowish-green nylon fibers from the carpet was manufactured by West Point Pepperell Corporation purchased by Wellman Corporation in Atlanta. (Deadman, 1984) The carpet referred to as “Luxaire,” which was constructed in the same manner as Williams’s carpet with a cross-sectional shape was only manufactured for a five-year period during 1967 through 1975. (Deadman, 1984) However, a small piece of rayon fiber linking to one of Williams’s victim from Williams’s 1970 station wagon was found on the victim’s shorts. (Deadman, 1984) Many of Williams’s victims in some cases had come in contact with Williams’s