Qualitative Analyses of Textile Damage (Cuts and Tears) Applied to Fabrics Exposed to the Decomposition of Carcasses and Associated Insect Activity in an Austral Summer

Sotirios Ziogos; Ian R. Dadour; Kari Pitts; Paola A. Magni

doi:10.3390/insects14070618

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Qualitative Analyses of Textile Damage (Cuts and Tears) Applied to Fabrics Exposed to the Decomposition of Carcasses and Associated Insect Activity in an Austral Summer

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Qualitative Analyses of Textile Damage (Cuts and Tears) Applied to Fabrics Exposed to the Decomposition of Carcasses and Associated Insect Activity in an Austral Summer

Sotirios Ziogos, Ian R. Dadour, Kari Pitts and Paola A. Magni

Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.14(7), 618

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14070618

PMID: 37504624

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Abstract

carrion insects

cotton

degradation

homicide

nylon

polyester

spandex

stabbing

taphonomy

Fatal stabbings are the leading cause of homicide in countries with restricted access to firearms, such as Australia. The analysis of damage on clothing imparted by a sharp object can assist in the characterization of the weapon. However, decomposition and carrion insects can modify the features of the damage, impeding textile damage analysis and crime reconstruction. This study aimed to identify and characterize the modifications of textile damage over 47 days of decomposition during the summer season in Western Australia. Fabric modifications were analyzed on cotton, synthetic, and blended fabrics with standardized cuts and tears, wrapped on 99 stillborn piglets. Six unclothed piglets acted as controls, with three being stabbed. All piglets were placed simultaneously in the field alongside swatches of fabric. Analyses considered taphonomy, insect interactions, and any textile damage using optical microscopy and SEM. The results showed that carrion insects can modify existing cuts and tears and introduce new artifacts on textiles. The 100% cotton fabric was the most affected by mechanical and chemical degradation, especially cuts and areas stained with blood or decomposition fluids. The study highlights the combined effect of multiple factors on textile damage, including the type of fabric, initial damage, bloating, insect activity, and biodegradation.

Details

Title: Qualitative Analyses of Textile Damage (Cuts and Tears) Applied to Fabrics Exposed to the Decomposition of Carcasses and Associated Insect Activity in an Austral Summer
Authors/Creators: Sotirios Ziogos - Murdoch University
Ian R. Dadour
Kari Pitts - ChemCentre
Paola A. Magni
Publication Details: Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.14(7), 618
Publisher: MDPI
Identifiers: 991005595769707891
Murdoch Affiliation: Harry Butler Institute; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.32 Entomology; 3.32.1638 Forensic Entomology
Web Of Science research areas: Entomology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science