It is often possible to identify fragments of plants by studying their microscopical characteristics. The recognition of a single feature very rarely establishes the plant's identity; more often, it is necessary to recognize a unique combination of characteris tics. For plant identification, the most valuable characteristics are those least likely to be affected by changes in environment; if the feature is uncommon as well as stable, it is even more useful. Good descriptions of the anatomy of plants are invaluable. For example, The Identifi cation of Hardwoods (Brazier and Franklin, 1961), together with its punched card key, is an excellent book which is useful in practice. Characters describing the sc1erenchyma account for only three places in this key. Using only these characters, it would be impossible to identify a timber. Is it possible then, to identify a species given only sc1erenchyma in the form of a commercial fibre? If it is possible, it is not easy. Although, for many purposes, plant fibres are being replaced by man-made fibres, vegetable fibres are still used, particularly in sacking and cordage and in some indus trial materials. Articles which must be examined in a forensic science laboratory are not always of recent manufacture and archaeologists and historians are interested in older materials. Therefore, it is still necessary for many workers to identify the plant species from which fibres have been extracted.

Though titled Identification of Vegetable Fibers, this book instead covers the identification vegetable plants from an examination of the stems and leaves. The vegetable fibers included are limited to flax, hemp, sunn hemp, ramie, jute, kenaf, roselle, sisal and abaca; that is, fibers most commonly used in the manufacture of rope and cordage. Excluded are such commonly occurring textile fibers as cotton and linen.

This book explores vegetable fiber composite as an eco-friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable material that has many potential industrial applications. The use of vegetable fiber composite supports the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to utilize more sustainable and greener composite materials, which are also easy to handle and locally easily available with economical production costs. This book presents various types of vegetable fiber composite and its processing methods and treatments to obtain desirable properties for certain applications. The book caters to researchers and students who are working in the field of bio-composites and green materials.

The identification of fibers is important to the textile industry, forensic science, fashion designers and historians among others. Identifying fibers involves observing the physical and chemical properties of the fiber for which there are a wide diversity of instruments available. This book provides a comprehensive review of fiber structure, the diversity of instruments available to identify fibers and applicications for a range of industries. The first part of the book examines the main fibers, their structure and characteristics. Part two focuses on methods of fiber identification, ranging from microscopic to DNA analysis. Specific applications, including how textiles are identified in forensic investigations. Identification of textile fibers is an important text for forensic scientists, police and lawyers who may be involved with the use of textile fibers to provide evidence in criminal cases. It will also be relevant for textile designers, technologists and inspectors wishing to assess fiber quality and understand fiber damage. Provides a comprehensive review of the main types of fibre together with their structure, characteristics and identification Assesses methods of fibre identification from optical microscopy to DNA analysis as well as instruments available to identify fibres

This book is the definitive text for forensic scientists, police and lawyers who may be involved with the use of textile fibres to provide evidence in criminal cases. While covering the subject in detail from recovery of the evidence, through the different stages of laboratory examination, to evaulating the meaning of findings, it is written in such a way that it should be interesting and understandable to the beginner and to the layman, as well as to the expert.

In order for forensic fibre examiners to fully utilize fibre and textile evidence during their analysis, they require not only specialised forensic knowledge but also in-depth knowledge of fibres, yarns and fabrics themselves. Production, both the chemical and physical structure, and the properties of these materials is required in order to determine the value of fibre evidence. This includes knowing production figures, fashion changes, sudden arrivals of new materials, dye variability, and numerous other factors that may have a bearing on the information obtained. Fully updated with the latest advances, Forensic Examination of Fibres, Third Edition continues in the tradition of the First (1992) and Second Editions (1999) as the premier text on the subject of forensic fibre analysis. The international team of contributing authors detail the recovery of the evidence—through the different stages of laboratory examination—to the evaluation of the meaning of findings. The coverage has been considerably expanded, and all material, has been revised and wholly updated. Topics covered include examining damaged textiles, infrared microspectroscopy and thin layer chomatography, and colour analyses. This edition also highlights the critical role of quality assurance in ensuring the reliability of the technical observations and results, and, in doing so, looks at the implications of supervisory managers and labs in the accurate and responsible analysis of such evidence. Features include: Outlining evidentiary process from collecting and preserving the evidence at the crime scene through the laboratory analysis of fibres Detailing the latest developments and emerging technologies including Kevlar and other such advances in fibre technology Coverage of a broad array of fibres both, natural (cellulose, protein, and mineral) and man-made fibres including synthetic, inorganic and regenerated Forensic Examination of Fibres, Third Edition is a much-needed update to the classic book, serving as an indispensable reference to crime scene technicians, laboratory forensic scientists and microscopists, students in police, forensic, and justice science programs.