Statistics and probability are important in narrowing the source. Investigators identify and compare fibers physically, using microscopy, as well as chemically. Like hair, textile fibers are among the most common items left at a crime scene.
Because textiles are mass- produced, it is difficult to trace a fiber back to a specific source, but fiber evidence is valuable because it creates links among victims, suspects, and places. Statistics and probability are important in narrowing the source.
