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KeChi-Okafor C, Khan FR, Al-Naimi U, Béguerie V, Bowen L, Gallidabino MD, Scott-Harden S, Sheridan KJ. Prevalence and characterisation of microfibres along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coast. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1020919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is ubiquitous, with textiles being a major source of one of the dominant microplastic types—microfibres. Microfibres have been discovered in the aquatic environment and marine biota, demonstrating direct infiltration in the environment. However, the impact of non-plastic microfibres has been overlooked until recently despite their prevalence and the ecotoxicological risk posed by chemical dyes and finishes used during processing. During an expedition from Lamu to Zanzibar (East Africa), a citizen science strategy was employed to innovate, educate and influence microfibre pollution reform through the Flipflopi project, a circular economy effort to stop the use of single-use plastic. Simple sampling methods were developed to replace costly equipment, which local citizens could use to partake in the collection and sampling of surface water samples from the previously understudied Kenyan and Tanzanian coast. To maintain the reliability of samples and to minimise contamination, a forensic science strategy was embedded throughout the methodology of the study, collection and analysis of the samples. A total of 2,403 microfibres from 37 sites were recovered and fully characterised with 55% found to be of natural origin, 8% regenerated cellulosic and 37% synthetic microfibres. Natural microfibres were in higher abundance in 33 of the 37 sampled sites. Congruent with recent studies, these findings further support the need for greater understanding of the anthropogenic impact of natural microfibres.
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Wąs-Gubała J, Skóra K, Brożek-Mucha Z. Characterisation and discrimination of so-called metallised fibres found in clothing and decorative materials originating from the consumer market. Sci Justice 2021; 61:535-541. [PMID: 34482933 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Skóra
- Jagiellonian University, Chemistry Department, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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Powell R, Collins P, Horsley G, Coumbaros J, van Bronswijk W. Enhancing the evidential value of textile fibres Part 2: Application of a database-driven fibre comparison strategy to a cold-case investigation. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 325:110894. [PMID: 34271326 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the involvement of our laboratory in a Western Australian 'cold-case' investigation that spanned 24 years. The investigation was widely considered to be the largest in Australian history. During the investigative phase, our laboratory was tasked with the collection of trace evidence of all types in connection with a sexual assault and two homicides that were suspected to be related. Textile fibres represented the vast majority of trace evidence recovered. A much greater quantity of fibres (>10,800) was collected than would be typical for a routine case, as fibres of any colour or type were potentially of investigative value. The investigation was unprecedented in its scale, and presented numerous challenges in terms of evidence recovery, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and provision of testimony. A textile fibre microspectrophotometric (MSP) database was developed specifically for the interpretation of data in connection with the investigation. The database currently contains over 25,000 normalised and first derivative spectra of casework, validation and reference textile fibres. A fibre comparison strategy was devised, involving the identification of preliminary fibre groups on the basis of corresponding/similar MSP spectra, and verification of these groups via brightfield and fluorescence comparison microscopy. A potential link to an automotive source was identified for one of the homicide victims during the investigative phase. After identification of a suspect, a total of 98 fibres recovered from victims and from a seized motor vehicle were found to correspond in properties to six different fibre types from known textile sources in connection with the suspect. A highly publicised criminal trial was held, and textile fibre evidence provided a major contribution to the trial findings, in which the accused was found guilty of two homicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rees Powell
- Forensic Chemistry Section, ChemCentre, Level 2, South Wing, Building 500, Resources and Chemistry Precinct, Cnr Manning Rd and Townsing Dr, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
| | - Peter Collins
- Forensic Chemistry Section, ChemCentre, Level 2, South Wing, Building 500, Resources and Chemistry Precinct, Cnr Manning Rd and Townsing Dr, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
| | - Graham Horsley
- Forensic Chemistry Section, ChemCentre, Level 2, South Wing, Building 500, Resources and Chemistry Precinct, Cnr Manning Rd and Townsing Dr, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
| | - John Coumbaros
- Forensic Chemistry Section, ChemCentre, Level 2, South Wing, Building 500, Resources and Chemistry Precinct, Cnr Manning Rd and Townsing Dr, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
| | - Wilhelm van Bronswijk
- Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
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Schnegg M, Palmer R, Massonnet G. Les paramètres clés de l'interprétation des fibres textiles en sciences criminelles. Partie I: Occurrence et bruit de fond. CANADIAN SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2017.1379683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schnegg
- Université de Lausanne, Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, Batochime, CH-1015 Lausanne-Dorigny, Suisse
| | - Ray Palmer
- Northumbria University, Forensic Science Unit, Department of Applied Sciences, NE1 8ST Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Genevieve Massonnet
- Université de Lausanne, Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, Batochime, CH-1015 Lausanne-Dorigny, Suisse
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Lepot L, Vanden Driessche T, Lunstroot K, Barret A, Gason F, De Wael K. Extraneous fibre traces brought by river water - A case study. Sci Justice 2017; 57:53-57. [PMID: 28063585 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The fibre traces on a young victim found underwater were mostly single fibre traces besides small amounts of fibre collectives indistinguishable from his parents clothes (mainly wool). Most of those single fibre traces were blue-grey polyester fibres showing tiny differences among each other. They were unexpected according to known population fibre studies. One year after the victim's discovery experiments were conducted to evaluate the possible contamination with fibres from river water. A small amount of extraneous fibres were collected among which blue and grey-black cotton and man-made (mainly polyester) fibres. All man-made fibres were single fibre traces and small fibre collectives were only observed for cotton. These results confirmed the frequent occurrence of blue and grey-black cotton fibres as background, but also highlighted the possible contamination with single blue and grey-black man-made fibres from river water. No wool was found, strengthening the significance of the wool fibre collectives present on the victim.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lepot
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - T Vanden Driessche
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Lunstroot
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Barret
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - F Gason
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - K De Wael
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
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