FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Interlaboratory Study of the Microspectrophotometry of Fibers

Keyword(s): Fibers, MSP, microspectrophotometry, visible, ultraviolet

Submitting subcommittee(s): Chemistry Materials (Trace) Date Approved: September 19, 2023

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes; OSAC 2022-S-0017 Standard Guide for Microspectrophotometry in Forensic Fiber Analysis

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No; we are not aware of any current research in this specific area.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

(1) Biermann, T.W. and Wiggins, K.G., “Microspectrophotometry.” In Robertson, J., Roux, C., and Wiggins, K.G. 

(eds.), Forensic Examination of Fibres, 3rd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2018, pp. 180-224.

(2) Can, H., Hongcheng, M., Hongling, G., Jun, Z., “Color analysis of textile fibers by microspectrophotometry,” 

Forensic Chemistry, Vol. 18, 2020, pp. 100-221.

(3) Eng, M., Martin, P., and Bhagwandin, C., “The Analysis of Metameric Blue Fibers and Their Forensic 

Significance,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 54, No. 4, 2009, pp. 841-845.

(4) Grieve, M.C., Biermann, T.W., and Davignon, M., “The Evidential Value of Black Cotton Fibres,” Science & 

Justice, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2001, pp. 245-260.

(5) Palenik, C.S., Beckert, J C., and Palenik, S., “Microspectrophotometry of Fibers: Advances in Analysis and 

Interpretation,” National Criminal Justice Reference Service, Office of Justice Programs Publications, May 2015, 

Web. 12 Sept. 2017. < https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250437.pdf>

(6) Suzuki, S., Suzuki, Y., Ohta, H., Sugita, R., and Marumo, Y., “Microspectrophotometric Discrimination of Single 

Fibers Dyed by Indigo and Its Derivatives Using Ultraviolet-Visible Transmittance Spectra,” Science & Justice, 

Vol. 41, 2001, pp. 107-111.

(7) Was-Gubala, J. and Starczak, R., “UV-Vis Microspectrophotometry as a Method of Differentiation Between 

Cotton Fibre Evidence Coloured with Reactive Dyes,” Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular 

Spectroscopy, Vol. 142, 2015, pp. 118-125.

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 2

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Although some information can be gained from fiber proficiency test results among various laboratories, there 

has been no specific research regarding the consistency of expected results among forensic laboratories for 

fiber comparison using the MSP. An interlaboratory study would help address any gaps or needs at individual 

laboratories for conducting forensic fiber comparisons using MSP.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

This research would provide fundamental knowledge that is not within the current scientific literature, 

including consistency in interpretation of comparative results between laboratories using MSP and information 

on the consistency of specific results, such as absorption maxima on samples.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

The research would provide information on the successful application of MSP, as outlined in OSAC 2022-S-0017, 

to individual laboratory casework, and would further demonstrate that MSP is a useful technique in the 

discrimination of fiber samples. It would also provide the legal community with additional confirmation that 

MSP is a reliable technique within the forensic fiber community.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV):

I Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.