Invisible Clues

THE CASE OF THE ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS


The Evidence: Between 1979 and 1981, more than two dozen Atlanta children were murdered. Olive-green carpet fibers were found on most of the bodies. In June 1981 Wayne Williams, 23, was charged with two of the crimes (evidence from 10 others was ultimately introduced at his trial). Comparable fibers had been found in his home and cars he used. But the defense insisted the fibers were run-of-the-mill.


The Science: Viewed in cross section, the fibers had three lobes. Fibers of this type were a well-known DuPont innovation that gave carpeting desirable "soil-hiding properties." But instead of three equal lobes, these fibers had two fat lobes and a skinny one (left). Research revealed that they were made by Wellman, a small South Carolina polyester producer that had circumvented DuPont's patent by slightly modifying the fibers' shape. Wellman officials testified that only a small amount of that carpet had been sold in Georgia. The jury thus deemed the probability of the fibers being coincidentally linked to each victim and to Williams highly unlikely. Williams is serving two life sentences.