Jiu Jitsu club stage physical assaults to help advance forensic research

Newswise — Researchers from Northumbria University and King’s College London have released results detailing the magnitude of textile fiber transfer in controlled assault situations.

Their study, newly published in the scholarly journal Science & Justice, marks the inaugural evaluation of the quantity of fibers exchanged between clothing items in instances of physical assault. This assessment was conducted by simulating real-life encounters using members of Northumbria University’s Jiu Jitsu club.

Dr. Kelly Sheridan, an Assistant Professor of Forensic Science in Northumbria’s Department of Applied Sciences, anticipates that these findings will bridge a critical information void in the realm of forensics. Moreover, they are expected to provide valuable insights for the assessment of fiber-related evidence in criminal cases associated with assaults.

"The significance of this research lies in the fact that numerous experimental studies in the field of forensic science often diverge significantly from real-life scenarios, and we aimed to address this disparity in our study," explained Dr. Sheridan. "For the first time, we sought to examine the extent of fiber transfer during various types of physical assaults using actual individuals. Dr. David Chalton, the head of the Jiu Jitsu club, played a crucial role in enabling us to accomplish this objective."

Understanding the quantity of fibers transferred during physical activities is vital for interpreting forensic evidence in numerous criminal cases. Previous studies have already offered significant insights into how variables like prolonged time and increased pressure during physical contact can influence the number of transferred fibers. However, the extent and variability of fiber transfer in uncontrolled scenarios, including real-life situations, remain largely unexplored.

Individuals from Northumbria’s Jiu Jitsu club were enlisted to participate in the study, assuming either the role of an aggressor or a victim in four distinct simulated scenarios. These scenarios encompassed both high and low intensity activities, each conducted for varying durations of time.

The findings of the study revealed that there was a cross-transfer of approximately 1,000 to 44,000 fibers between the garments of the participants. It is worth noting that there were discernible variations observed among the different scenarios examined.

Dr. Sheridan further commented, stating, "Above all, this study has highlighted that the sheer number of transferred fibers is considerably higher than what has been previously documented. By utilizing these realistic scenarios, we aim to enhance the understanding and expectations regarding the evaluation of fiber evidence."

Dr. David Chalton serves as the Lead Coach for Jiu Jitsu at Northumbria University and has been instructing this close combat martial art at the institution for nearly two decades.

Dr. Chalton elaborated, stating, "Our Jiu Jitsu style encompasses striking, throwing, and, to a lesser extent, ground-fighting. Our emphasis is on self-defense techniques, so the scenarios Dr. Sheridan wanted to simulate were quite straightforward and familiar to us."

Dr. Chalton mentioned that the club members were highly enthusiastic about contributing and utilizing their training for a broader purpose beyond their personal and club development. Consequently, there was an abundance of volunteers willing to wear the dyed training uniforms, which were employed to facilitate the tracking of fiber transfer during the study.

Dr. Ray Palmer, an independent forensic science consultant and an Associate Lecturer at Northumbria, collaborated with Dr. Sheridan in conceptualizing the research. The research team, which included final year Forensic Science students, further advanced the methodology under their guidance.

Dr. Palmer expressed satisfaction with the study's results, highlighting their significant value for forensic scientists who provide expert testimony in court proceedings. He emphasized that the methodology employed in this study offers a more comprehensive evaluation of the effects observed in genuine physical assault scenarios compared to any existing similar study accessible to forensic practitioners.

Dr. Matteo Gallidabino, an Assistant Professor in Forensic Chemistry at King’s College London, joined the research team to aid in the interpretation of the study's findings. Drawing on his expertise in chemical evidence, particularly focused on gunshot residues and explosives, Dr. Gallidabino emphasized the significance of understanding the transfer mechanisms of materials involved. This understanding plays a crucial role in assessing forensic findings, as the outcome of a criminal case frequently hinges on discerning the distinctions between various scenarios.

Dr. Gallidabino stated that their research strives to provide the necessary frameworks for the interpretation of forensic evidence. After discussions with Dr. Sheridan, they both recognized the potential to contribute further to this field of research by employing a simulation-based approach. Their aim is to enhance the understanding and methodologies utilized in this area by incorporating realistic simulations.

For additional details, please refer to the complete research paper titled "A quantitative evaluation of the scope and pattern of textile fiber transfer to individuals engaged in physical assault," which was published in Science & Justice, the official journal of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Northumbria’s Department of Applied Sciences includes biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, forensic science, food and nutritional sciences. Discover more about research and study options by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/appliedsciences.