Man-made filaments created through chemical synthesis are crucial evidence in criminal investigations. These materials, unlike naturally occurring counterparts, are engineered from polymers. For example, polyester fibers found at a crime scene could link a suspect to the location or a victim.
The identification and analysis of these manufactured threads offer significant advantages in forensic science. They can provide critical links between individuals, locations, and events, often offering more discriminating characteristics than natural fibers. Their widespread use, coupled with variations in manufacturing processes and dye formulations, provides a wealth of comparative data, thereby enhancing investigative capabilities.