Simple Solubility Tests for the Discrimination of Acrylic and Modacrylic Fibers

• NCJ Number: 246858
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 750-753
• Author(s): Keisuke Suga M.Sc.; Yuji Narita M.Sc.; Shinichi Suzuki Ph.D.
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In a crime scene investigation, single fibers play an important role as significant trace physical evidence.

Abstract

In a crime scene investigation, single fibers play an important role as significant trace physical evidence. Acrylic fibers are frequently encountered in forensic analysis. Currently, acrylic and modacrylic are not discriminated clearly in Japan. Only results of FT-IR, some of acrylics were difficult to separate clearly to acrylic and modacrylic fibers. Solubility test is primitive but convenient useful method, and Japan Industrial Standards JIS recommends FT-IR and solubility test to distinguish acrylic and modacrylic fibers. But recommended JIS dissolving test using 100% N,N-dimethylformamide DMF as a solvent, some acrylics could not be discriminated. In this report, we used DMF and ethanol 90:10, v/v solvent. The JIS method could not discriminate 6 acrylics in 60 acrylics; hence, DMF and ethanol 90:10, v/v solvent discriminated 59 of the 60 fibers 43 acrylic and 16 modacrylic fibers clearly, but only one modacrylic fiber incorrectly identified as acrylic. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.