Characterization of denim fibers using visible microspectrophotometry

Denim fiber evidence is often encountered at crime scenes due to the shedding and transfer properties of fibers and popularity of jeans. Forensic scientists are continually looking for new ways to characterize fiber evidence and increase its evidentiary value in a court of law. The purpose of this research was to examine different denims using visible microspectrophotometry and to determine whether or not denim could be characterized by dye color. Twenty-six samples of new pairs of jeans were used for analysis in the main study. Three pairs of new jeans and ten pairs of worn jeans were analyzed for the wash and worn studies, respectively. Spectra were compiled for each of these studies.; The results indicated that denim could not be characterized by dye color using visible microspectrophotometry. While jeans visually look different, the actual dye (indigo) is quite similar or identical among jeans.