title: Cuts and tears on a paper towel: a case report on an unusual examination of damage.
abstract: The examination of damage to a paper towel, an item of evidence in a murder case, is described. Simulations performed with selected tools and the observation of the lacerations present on the towel permitted to infer that they were originated by cleaning of a pointed and sharp implement. Some marks, considered characteristic of scissors, were detected on the exhibit. This experimental outcome resulted critical in challenging the declarations of the suspect. A rather significant analogy between damage examination on paper towels and on textiles was established.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche dell'Università, via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy. valerio.causin@unipd.it
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Causin
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marega
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schiavone