ACTIVITY NO.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF TEXTILE FIBER

I. Apparatus/Materials
Compound microscope, glass slide, coverslip, standard natural fibers (cotton fibers, silk,
and wool) standard manmade fibers (polyester and nylon)
II. Procedure
Microscopic test
 1. Place a cotton, silk, wool fibers on a glass slide.
2. Study under the low power magnification of the compound microscope its important
physical characteristics
3. Following the same procedure for the natural and manmade fibers

III. Record and Illustrate Your Observation

DATA SHEET
1. Microscopic Test

Microscopic
Textile Sample Color Characteristic

Cotton

Silk

Wool

Polyester

Nylon

2. Burning Test
Textile Sample Ordor of fume Color of Manner of Appearance Classification of
Ash Burning of Burnt fibres
End
Cotton

Silk

Wool

Polyester

Nylon

3. Staining Test

Textile Sample Million's Iodine Zinc Chloride Anthraquinone Picric Acid

Reagent Solution Blue SWF

Cotton

Silk

Wool
Polyester

Nylon

4. Dissolution Test

Textile Sample 10% NaOH Concentrated HNO3 5% Oxalic Acid

Cotton

Silk

Wool

Polyester

Nylon

IV. Post-Laboratory Discussion

Guide Questions

1. Describe each of the following

1.1 Fiber-

1.2 Yam-

1.3. Thread-

2. How are fibers classified?

3. Differentiate natural fibers to manmade fiber in terms of their:

3.1 Microscopic characteristics

3.2 Burning Characteristics

3.3. Dissolution test

4. Give examples of synthetic fibers.

5. Give at least three kinds of test that can be conducted on fibers.

6. What other products may be subjected to fiber examination?

7. What is involved in tape examination?

8. How is string identified is comparison with yarn from cloth?

9. How is cordage examined?

10. How is rope identified?

11. What is the value of fiber evidence in criminal investigation?

12. Where do you search for fiber evidence?

13. How do you process the case scene for fiber evidence?

14. How will you avoid contamination of fiber evidence?

15. Where do you obtain standard fiber sample for fiber examination?

16. What are the similarities and differences between hair and fiber samples in
Terms of their microscopic characteristics?

V. Reactions

VI. Documentation