The Intersection of Forensic Science and Space Technologies: An Integrated Model from the Research of Major Khudooma Saeed Alnuaimi, Forensic Evidence Management Expert – Abu Dhabi Police General Command

Ms. Laila Zaarouri, an aviation specialist and a researcher in space forensic evidence, is also deeply engaged in legal affairs and judicial reform.

📍Geneva, Switzerland

From Forensic Garment Science to Space Evidence: A Scientific Study by Major Khudooma Saeed Alnuaimi

With the rapid advancements in forensic science, there is an increasing need to explore unconventional tools that can help uncover the truth and determine criminal responsibility, especially in environments where direct evidence is difficult to obtain. Among the most notable of these emerging tools are satellites, which serve as analytical and documentary means, opening new horizons for investigation and forensic teams, particularly in observing environmental and geographical changes related to criminal activity.

Within this context, the growing role of what is known as forensic garment science cannot be overlooked. This specialized branch of forensic medicine focuses on analyzing what clothing can reveal, such as bloodstains, fibers, tears, or other traces that relate to the crime scenario.

In this field, forensic expert Major Khudooma Saeed Alnuaimi from the General Command of Abu Dhabi Police Forensic Evidence Department, United Arab Emirates, has made a distinguished scientific contribution through his study titled “Indicators in Forensic Garment Science: An Analytical Perspective,” published in the seventh issue of the Forensic Evidence Journal (Volume 4, July 2012). In this work, he highlights the criminal and interpretive dimensions of clothing at crime scenes, demonstrating how fabrics can “tell” stories that help unravel the mystery of a crime.

This study is considered one of the pioneering efforts to spotlight analytical methods related to clothing and fabrics within a forensic context. The researcher examined several practical cases that demonstrated the importance of precise documentation and scientific interpretation of material traces on clothing.

One of the key findings of the study is that clothing may carry temporal or kinetic indicators that can reveal the nature of an assault, the direction of the attack, or even the positions of the perpetrator and the victim at the time of the crime, thereby reinforcing the value of this field as a precise tool in forensic analysis.
 

Major Khudooma Saeed Alnuaimi is one of the most prominent specialists in forensic medicine and evidence management in the United Arab Emirates. He plays an active role in the advanced investigations team of the Abu Dhabi Police General Command. Through his groundbreaking research, “Indicators in Forensic Garment Science: An Analytical Perspective,” he has helped solidify the status of this discipline as a contemporary evidentiary tool, highlighting the value of textile documentation in constructing crime scenarios and solving their mysteries.

Studies

Scientific Research: A First Look into Forensic Garment Science

Observing our surroundings reveals that clothing occupies a significant space in our lives, as it is worn by everyone under normal circumstances. Often, one may notice a person’s clothing before seeing their face. Clothing varies among individuals for several reasons, including social status, age, gender, nationality, occupation, and health condition. Clothes carry various meanings, ranging from aesthetic, cultural, economic, and social to professional, occupational, and specialized significance. Some garments even feature unique patterns, embroidery, or illustrations that make them distinct from others.

In this article, we will examine clothing from a forensic science perspective to highlight the role it plays in solving criminal cases and serving the cause of justice.

Clothing is a part of the broader world of textiles, which includes a variety of uses such as tablecloths, seating sets, carpets, towels, blankets, ropes, toys, bags, bed sheets, furnishings, curtains, shoes, belts, and book covers.

Some garments may contain non-textile components such as leather, fur, beads, metal or plastic zippers, buttons made of glass, copper, iron, or plastic, as well as gemstones, seeds, coins of various types, shapes, and sizes, and other industrial materials.

Mention of Clothing in the Holy Qur’an
Clothing is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an from various perspectives. Among them is the saying of Allah Almighty:

“O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness  that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.” (Surat Al-A‘raf, 26)
 

And He also says: “O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them  parts.” (Surat Al-A‘raf, 27)

Allah Almighty also says: “And if We had made him an angel, We would have made him [appear as] a man, and We would have certainly confused them in what they are already confused.” (Surat Al-An‘am, 9)

 
And He says: “They said, ‘O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Joseph with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful.’
And they brought upon his shirt false blood. He said, ‘Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe.” (Surat Yusuf, 17–18)

Joseph’s brothers (peace be upon him) attempted to deceive their father, Jacob (peace be upon him), by claiming that a wolf had devoured Joseph. To support their claim, they smeared animal blood on Joseph’s shirt to make it appear as if it had come from a bleeding wound inflicted during the wolf’s attack. However, they failed to notice that the shirt bore no tears or marks from the wolf’s fangs, which led Prophet Jacob to suspect a plot orchestrated by Joseph’s brothers to explain his disappearance. Additionally, the pattern and distribution of the bloodstains on the shirt may have served as further evidence that the contamination had been applied intentionally and did not result from actual injury to the wearer.

And he [Joseph] said, “It was she who sought to seduce me.” And a witness from her family testified: “If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars. But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful.” So when he saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, “Indeed, it is of your [women’s] plot. Indeed, your plot is great.” (Surat Yusuf, 26–28)
This verse illustrates how tears in clothing can be used to uncover a crime, resolve its ambiguity, and reconstruct the sequence of events. The central dispute in the verse was whether Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him) or the wife of Al-‘Aziz was telling the truth. To settle the matter, it was determined that if his shirt was torn from the front, it would indicate that he had attempted to assault the woman, and she tore his shirt while defending herself. However, if the shirt was torn from the back, it would suggest that he was trying to escape, while she grabbed him from behind in an attempt to stop him from leaving. In the case of Prophet Joseph, it was found that his shirt was torn from the back, which supported his innocence and disproved the accusation made against him by the wife of Al-‘Aziz.

Allah the Exalted said: “Take this shirt of mine and cast it over my father’s face; he will become seeing.” (Surat Yusuf, 93)

This noble verse indicates that the shirt of Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him) carried something, whether a scent, trace, or divine sign, that helped his father, Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him), realize that his son was still alive.
“And when the caravan departed [from Egypt], their father said, ‘Indeed, I sense the smell of Joseph, if you do not think me weakened in mind.’” (Surat Yusuf, 94)

This verse shows that Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him), even before seeing the shirt, was able to perceive the scent of his son Joseph, affirming the emotional and perhaps miraculous connection between them.

This indicates that the element which helped in identifying Prophet Joseph was the scent of the shirt, demonstrating that clothing can carry olfactory evidence, which may assist in identifying its owner.

Clothing in the Noble Sunnah

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Wear white garments, for they are among the best of your clothes, and shroud your dead in them.”

[Reported by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as a good and authentic (hasan sahih) hadith.]

Clothing in Poetry
The poet Farouqi, who lived in Central Asia in the 11th century AD, wrote:

“Its threads were woven from my soul and the tears of my verse, Threads of weeping, sighs, and prolonged sorrow.”

This reflects the poet’s understanding of the process of textile production, which forms the basis of clothing. He alludes to how threads can be used in various ways to produce a single fabric or garment.

Clothing and Sociology

Ibn Khaldun, in his Muqaddimah, in the chapter on weaving and tailoring, says:

“These two crafts are essential for civilization due to the human need for comfort. The first involves spinning wool, flax, and cotton, weaving them lengthwise and crosswise with strong cohesion to produce finished cloth. From this cloth are made woolen cloaks for wrapping and cotton and linen garments for wearing. The second craft involves shaping the woven fabric into various forms based on traditions and practices, cutting it with scissors into pieces that match the body’s anatomy, then joining these pieces with precise stitching, either by sewing, patching, or loosening, according to the specific technique.”

Clothing as Forensic Evidence

Clothing or various types of textiles are commonly found at crime scenes or sent to forensic laboratories for analysis. The importance of clothing lies in several key aspects:

• The clothing itself may constitute the crime scene.
• It may serve as a direct piece of forensic evidence.
• It may contain various types of forensic traces.
• Clothing could be the only remaining evidence proving the occurrence of a crime.
• It may contain critical evidence that cannot be found elsewhere.
• The distribution of different traces on the clothing can help reconstruct the crime scene.
• Some forms of evidence may be better preserved on clothing compared to other surfaces.
• Evidence can remain on clothing for extended periods.
• Transfer of textile residues, such as fibers, may occur between the victim and the perpetrator, from the crime scene, or to others present in the area.

Why Forensic Examination of Clothing?

Clothing assists in identifying individuals, linking them to the crime scene, and utilizing this information in reconstructing the events of the crime. It also supports investigators and the judiciary in understanding key aspects of the case through the evidence found on the garments.

The Forensic Expert and Clothing Evidence

The forensic examiner should possess general knowledge of the types of fabrics, threads, and fibers used in clothing. This knowledge aids in proper handling during examination, as some fabrics are prone to tearing and deterioration. Therefore, the examiner must handle them with care to avoid causing unintended damage or tears in the garments submitted for analysis.

Types of Clothing Fibers and Filaments

Clothing fabrics can generally be classified into three main categories: woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and non-woven fabrics. Their sources can be described as follows:

1 . Fibers from Living Sources:
These originate from living organisms and include:
. Animal-based fibers such as hair, fur, wool, and silk. These are protein-based materials derived from animals like goats, camels, sheep, and silkworms.
. Plant-based fibers such as flax (linen), cotton, and bamboo, which are primarily composed of cellulose.

2 . Geological Sources:
These are threads made from materials extracted from the earth, such as silver, gold, and copper. They are often used for embroidery and decorative purposes in garments.

3 . Synthetic Fibers:
These are man made fibers and are divided into two categories:

• Regenerated fibers, which are originally natural (animal, plant, or geological) but processed into new forms, such as rayon and viscose.
• Fully synthetic fibers, produced from non-natural materials like:
  • Polyester (polyester)
  • Polyamide (nylon)
  • Polyvinyl derivatives, such as acrylic and nylon.

4 . Blended Fibers:
These are filaments or fibers composed of a mix of two or more of the aforementioned sources. An example would be blending wool with nylon fibers.

The manufacturing composition of garments is typically identified through tags, labels, or printed markings placed on the clothing by the manufacturer. This information is valuable to forensic examiners, as it aids in the proper handling, identification, collection, documentation, and forensic interpretation of clothing evidence in a case.

Stages of Clothing Examination

In general, textile examination, including clothing, goes through four main stages:

1. Examination of the complete garment.
2. Examination of the fabric.
3. Examination of the threads.
4. Examination of the fibers within the threads.
   The method of examination depends on the type of case and the availability of different types of evidence.

Types of Forensic Evidence in Clothing

Forensic evidence that can be found on or within clothing can be categorized into:

. Descriptive Evidence

. Biological Evidence

This refers to evidence originating from living sources, either human or non-human, such as blood, hair, saliva, sweat, epithelial cells, body tissues, spermatozoa, skin, feathers, pollen grains, traces of various plants, bone fragments, and insects.

Among the most commonly requested types of biological forensic evidence is spermatozoa, which plays a significant role in sexual assault cases such as rape, sodomy, and adultery. Because sperm cells are produced in large quantities, they tend to adhere to the fibers of clothing. Their presence can be detected, and DNA profiling can be used to identify their source.
 
Blood or bloodstains are also frequently found on clothing, either from the victim or the perpetrator. The source of the blood may be human or animal. Human bloodstains are examined to determine the identity of the individual they belong to.

Hair is a protein-based structure that appears thread-like and may originate from either human or animal sources. If a hair sample is determined to be of human origin, it is analyzed for its morphological characteristics and color. If reference samples are available, comparative analysis is performed, followed by DNA testing to determine its owner. If the hair is determined to be of animal origin, it is documented and compared to reference animal hair samples to identify the species.

Chemical Evidence

This refers to chemically significant substances in forensic contexts, which may originate from natural or synthetic sources. In relation to clothing, chemical evidence can be classified into several categories depending on the type of case, including:

• Chemical composition of clothing fibers: Identifying the synthetic or natural makeup of textile fibers aids in comparing different garments to determine similarities or differences. This becomes especially important in cases such as abduction or hit-and-run incidents, where fibers from the victim may be found in the suspect’s vehicle.
• Presence of narcotic substances: Clothes may conceal drugs such as heroin, either hidden in pockets or secret compartments, or deposited on the external surface of the fabric.
• Toxic substances: Clothing can contain toxic residues relevant to poisoning cases. Bodily fluids such as mucus or urine found on the clothes of deceased individuals may require analysis to determine whether they contain poisonous or narcotic substances excreted from the body.
• Gunshot residue (GSR) and propellant particles: These are byproducts of firearm discharge that can be found on clothing in cases involving shooting incidents. The chemical residues may be recovered from the garments of victims or suspects and examined to provide crucial evidence.

 Physical Evidence

This category includes several types, such as:

• Tears or damage to clothing, whether caused by pulling or by a sharp instrument. These tears are examined to determine how they occurred and what tool or force may have caused them.
• Bloodstain pattern distribution on clothing, although the blood itself is considered biological evidence, its distribution is governed by physical and mathematical principles. Factors such as movement, angles, and the direction of blood droplets from different sources help reconstruct the events, making the pattern a form of physical and analytical evidence.
• Physical description of clothing, including dimensions, color, outer features, and distinguishing marks. These details play a critical role in identifying individuals.
  For example, when a person goes missing or is lost during war, their family or friends are often asked to describe the clothes they were last seen wearing. Similarly, in robbery cases, witnesses or victims are asked to describe the suspect’s clothing.
  Descriptive evidence of clothing may also be used to compare with surveillance footage or other recorded images in theft or criminal assault investigations.

Geological Evidence

Geological evidence is among the materials commonly found on clothing. It may include sand, minerals, ancient pollen, and microfossils. Such evidence can help link a person to a crime scene, as sand and other geological materials are often transferred to clothing through direct or indirect contact and friction.

Smart Clothing

In recent times, smart clothing has emerged, incorporating small or micro-sized computer devices into their fabric. This innovation is a result of technological advancements in manufacturing, such as the methods and techniques of nanotechnology.

Such clothing can perform numerous functions that traditional garments cannot. The features of smart clothing may include: repelling liquids and dirt to prevent contamination, repelling bacteria and organic materials, resisting wrinkles, protecting against ultraviolet rays, and measuring blood pressure. These garments may also include electronic buttons that allow the user to perform digital functions such as unlocking doors, executing calculations, or running other applications.

Smart clothing can assist in forensic evidence gathering but may also present challenges. For example, it may hinder the collection of biological traces due to its repellent and degradative properties.

This type of clothing may represent a future challenge in forensic textile science, requiring new and advanced approaches for proper handling and investigation.

Decomposition of Clothing as Forensic Evidence

Several factors contribute to the decomposition of clothing, including heat, soil, moisture, mold, light, decomposition fluids from corpses, and insects. This decomposition may cause the clothing to fade, change color, or even completely disappear. The rate of clothing decomposition can be used to estimate the time of death, depending on the conditions of the crime scene and the type of clothing involved.

Handling Clothing at the Crime Scene

The crime scene is the primary location where the need to collect clothing for examination arises. The procedures to be followed at the scene can be summarized as follows:

• Identify the clothing items that are relevant to the incident.
• Determine which pieces of clothing need to be collected.
• Photograph the clothing before collection, whether it is at the scene, on the victim, or on the suspect.
• Collect the clothing carefully to avoid the loss of any evidence present on it.
• In certain cases, it may be necessary to remove clothing from the victim before transporting the body from the scene, especially if it contains critical evidence that might be lost, damaged, or contaminated during transfer to the morgue.

Sealing and Preserving Clothing Evidence

When collecting clothing and sending it to the forensic laboratory for examination, the following procedures must be observed:

• Properly dry the clothing before sending it for analysis.
• Use paper envelopes for packaging the clothing to absorb moisture and prevent mold growth.
• Package each item of clothing separately.
• Record the necessary information on the envelope, bag, or container used for sealing, including:
   
  • Name of the evidence
  • General description of the item
  • Name of the person it belonged to
  • Time of collection
  • Name of the collector
  • Location of collection
  • Evidence reference number
  • Reasons for collection
  • Type of examination required
• Ensure that the sealing information matches the details in the official report.

 Handling Clothing in the Morgue

In many cases at the morgue, the clothing of deceased individuals is removed to allow the forensic pathologist to examine the body. Before and during the removal of clothing, the following procedures must be followed:

• Describe the position and type of clothing.
• Photograph the clothing before removal.
• Remove the clothing without cutting it with scissors if possible.
• Ensure that the clothing is not contaminated by other substances on the autopsy table that could affect the laboratory examinations.

 Handling Clothing in the Laboratory

• In the forensic laboratory, each piece of clothing is handled separately and examined using a systematic approach. This begins with describing and photographing the evidence packaging, unsealing the packaging, and photographing the clothing item in its received position. The clothing is then described in general terms, such as its color and distinguishing features, including brand labels, any numbers or special markings, descriptions of damage, wear, or tears, taking necessary measurements, performing preliminary and confirmatory laboratory tests, and collecting important samples.
• The examination of the clothing may require the involvement of multiple experts, such as a biological evidence specialist, a DNA analyst, a narcotics expert, a tool mark and footwear impression expert, and a firearms expert. Additionally, a representative from the criminal investigation unit may be present to benefit from preliminary findings, which could aid in identifying suspects or offering insights regarding any items or features present on the clothing.

Health and Safety

• Individuals handling clothing related to criminal cases must adhere to health and safety regulations to protect themselves from potential health hazards, such as diseases that can be transmitted through contaminated garments. Safety precautions include wearing protective gear such as gloves, face masks, crime scene suits, and lab coats or protective vests.
• Caution must be exercised when handling clothing, as it may contain hidden weapons or hazardous substances. Proper procedures should be followed to avoid associated risks.
• Some garments may emit strong and penetrating odors due to body decomposition, requiring special handling procedures to protect the examiner, preserve the evidence, and maintain a safe working environment for all personnel involved.
• Clothing may also contain insects, such as flies, beetles, or their larvae, which should be collected, documented, and identified, as they may provide valuable forensic information in the investigation.

Protecting Clothing from Contamination

Preventing accidental contamination of evidence is one of the most important practices in forensic laboratories. Therefore, when handling clothing evidence at various stages, care must be taken to avoid introducing any foreign substances that were not present at the time of the incident. Such contamination could result in the loss of crucial evidence and render the clothing unusable for obtaining accurate results.

For example, specialists must minimize the risk of contaminating clothing with blood, soil, or through contact with other garments. Clothing is typically rejected from examination if the suspect’s clothing has been mixed with that of the victim. While such occurrences are rare, it is important to emphasize the need to prevent them.

Conclusion and Recommendations

This article has attempted to highlight some basic aspects of the vast and multifaceted field of forensic clothing and textiles. Future research will play a key role in advancing this science. Progress in this area requires greater awareness and understanding of the role of clothing and its examination as forensic evidence among crime scene investigators, forensic specialists, and the judicial system.

Integrating Forensic Clothing Science with Satellite-Based Evidence Extraction

The Integration of Forensic Textile Analysis and Remote Sensing Technologies: A New Framework for Evidence Extraction

The findings of this research demonstrate that forensic clothing science, as pioneered by Khudooma Saeed Alnuaimi, an expert in forensic evidence and forensic medicine, is a precise tool for understanding the physical contexts surrounding crimes. This is achieved through the analysis of fabrics and textiles, which often contain motion-related and temporal traces.

In a parallel vein, Laila Zaarouri, an aerospace specialist and researcher in the emerging field of space forensic science, contributes to expanding this discourse. Her work focuses on extracting forensic evidence using satellite technologies. She highlights how modern spatial tools can play a vital role in documenting and monitoring crime scenes, especially in remote areas or in cases where there are systematic attempts to conceal evidence. Her research shows how high-resolution satellite imagery can provide accurate spatial and temporal indicators, aiding investigative teams in locating physical remnants such as clothing or human remains. These findings can then be subjected to precise forensic analyses, thereby enhancing the practical and theoretical overlap between textile sciences and spatial data interpretation.

This intersection between textile forensics and satellite surveillance presents promising potential for the development of advanced investigative tools. It transcends the traditional boundaries between branches of forensic science and moves toward an integrative vision, one that enhances the efficiency and accuracy of evidence recovery and interpretation. The combination of what textiles “tell” and what satellites “reveal” marks a significant paradigm shift in the trajectory of both national and international criminal justice, particularly in addressing complex and concealed crimes.

{To be continued}