Careers: Police/Trace evidence

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Expert: - 3/28/2008


Question
Hello Commander Chris.  Another question from me.. hope u wont mind. Think you're the favorite. Thanks much and Warm regards. The question :  What factors affect the transfer of wool fibres from a jersey worn by person A to a polyester worn by person B during a struggle between the two.

Answer
Hi Golda,

Ask as many as you want, I don't mind, especially Ciminalistics/ Forensics ones.. :)

First consider the two materials. wool is a natural fiber that "sheds" fairly well. In addition wool fibers build up a static charge pretty good. Ever worn a wool sweater in the winter and get a lot of static electricity shocks? The reason static electricity is important is it causes some objects to stick to others. Like wool fibers to polyester.

The polyester would attract the wool fibers that were loose due to the static electricity that was built up during the struggle. Also wool fibers could be impressed into the weave of the polyester depending on the tightness of the weave in the fabric.

Some of the things that would affect the amount of transfer would be the amount of physical violence involved. The more violent the more likely to have transfer. If B grabbed, pulled or tore person A's wool clothing then it woudl be more likely to have trnasfer. Also if a cutting or slashing instrument was involved it could add to the transfer, cut fibers shed more also.

Hope this helps and gives you some ideas..

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

Experience

I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

Publications
I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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