This course will help you develop an understanding of textile colouration, and the effect of stains, particularly blood, has on textile materials. You will learn to identify colour changes in textiles for use in forensic investigations. You will gain an overview of the different processes, manufacturing and production methods for textiles colouration, and how these colourations may be identified in textile materials.

You will explore how different types of damage (e.g. staining through blood, bleaching through extended exposure to UV, abrasion or repeated washing, etc.) may change the colour of textile materials.

You will use a variety of scientific methods and analytical instruments in the identification of dyes, pigments and various stains or colour changes (e.g. blood, soil, UV exposure). You will carry out analytical experimental procedures and be able to discuss and report your findings to a non-specialised stakeholders.