New research from the University of Otago examines how underwear fabric tears under experimental conditions, aiming to provide forensic data for sexual assault cases.
The study, recently published in the journal Forensic Science International, analysed the tearing of three different types of fabrics commonly used in women’s underwear. Researchers examined the microscopic damage to the fabrics after they were torn using a specialised tearing machine.
The results will help form a baseline understanding of tearing damage that can be used by law enforcement agencies and researchers around the world.
Media coverage of the research includes:
The Press: Otago University Study On How Women’s Knickers Tear…
Otago Daily Times: Otago underwear research a ripping yarn
MSN News: Knickers study may help in rape cases
Yahoo! News: Knickers study may help in rape cases