Forensic Evidence:
Multiple fibers found on the victims were the only bit of evidence that detectives had to go on. There were some dog hairs, and two types of other fibers; "a coarse yellow-green nylon fiber" and "a violet colored acetate fiber". (Ramsland, Trace Evidence). Victim Nathaniel Carter was found in the Chatahoochee river with that same nylon fiber in his hair. That fiber was the same one as one that matched the carpet in William's house. It was also discovered that Williams had a dog. Although hair and fiber are both class evidence, the odds were so astronomically high that those fibers were the ones from William's house.
Multiple fibers found on the victims were the only bit of evidence that detectives had to go on. There were some dog hairs, and two types of other fibers; "a coarse yellow-green nylon fiber" and "a violet colored acetate fiber". (Ramsland, Trace Evidence). Victim Nathaniel Carter was found in the Chatahoochee river with that same nylon fiber in his hair. That fiber was the same one as one that matched the carpet in William's house. It was also discovered that Williams had a dog. Although hair and fiber are both class evidence, the odds were so astronomically high that those fibers were the ones from William's house.
Forensic Analytical Techniques:
Compound and comparison microscopes are useful tools in observing the fiber evidence and determining what the fibers are and where they come from. Use of a spectrophotometer is also helpful in that regard. The best tool though, is neither one of these, but a combination, called the micro- spectrophotometer. This tool combines what both the microscope and the spectrophotometer do well, and make it far easier to process the fiber evidence. This tool is what would have most likely been used in this case.
The investigators of this case would have most likely collected the hairs and fibers with something that can grab small things, like forceps. The evidence would then be placed individually into individual paper bags, folded and made secure so that they would not fall out. Tape was not likely used because the fibers were collected from a victim's head and a victim's sweatshirt, not skin.
Compound and comparison microscopes are useful tools in observing the fiber evidence and determining what the fibers are and where they come from. Use of a spectrophotometer is also helpful in that regard. The best tool though, is neither one of these, but a combination, called the micro- spectrophotometer. This tool combines what both the microscope and the spectrophotometer do well, and make it far easier to process the fiber evidence. This tool is what would have most likely been used in this case.
The investigators of this case would have most likely collected the hairs and fibers with something that can grab small things, like forceps. The evidence would then be placed individually into individual paper bags, folded and made secure so that they would not fall out. Tape was not likely used because the fibers were collected from a victim's head and a victim's sweatshirt, not skin.