Velcro: An important area for trace evidence

Examination of articles and clothes on dead body is often of great importance. Now-a-days, Velcro is used instead of press-studs and zips in clothes, footwears, wristwatch belts, etc. Some part of hookside of Velcro is usually free of floop. These hooks are similar to the hooks of grass burrs, which catch fibers and hairs whenever they come in contact with them. Routine cleaning and washing does not remove fibers and hairs from Velcro, unless and until it is combed or they are peeled off. Therefore, important trace evidence can be collected from Velcro. e.g. 1. Pet dog hair can be removed from Velcro of footwear, wristwatch belts and even that of clothes. 2. Threads and fibers of clothes after machine wash can be recovered in Velcro of cloth. 3. Industrial fibers can be recovered from Velcro of workers cloth.