NIST: textile research grade test material RGTM 10279 for checking fibre identification methods — made for clothing sorters, it has also drawn the interest of forensic fibre examiners
On 23 September 2026 NIST wrote that the test material RGTM 10279 “Textiles for Feedstock Identification”, made for the textile recycling industry, has caught the attention of the forensic community; the researchers are working with investigative agencies that want to see whether it can serve as a training tool. The study with this material, involving labs and manufacturers, ran until 30 September 2026.
- RGTM 10279 is a set of five fabric squares, 4 inches (10.2 cm) on a side, made from different fibres, dyed and undyed; the fibre composition is not disclosed to participants. NIST produces research grade test materials faster than standard reference materials (SRMs) and distributes them to laboratories that agree to measure them and share results, to determine whether the material is fit for its purpose.
- According to NIST, researchers estimate that 56% of clothing and textiles can be recycled or recovered, but most do not make it back into the domestic supply chain because of the high volume of donated clothing and slow, labour-intensive manual sorting. Sorters use handheld near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy scanners, automated lines with cameras and sensors, computer vision sorting by colour and hyperspectral imaging; the material is meant to validate these methods and make results comparable between centres.
- The material was available free from the NIST Store until 30 July 2026 in exchange for taking part in a study in which labs, manufacturers and other organisations identify the fibres with their own methods; the anonymous results will feed into a better-characterised reference material. NIST also points to checking the composition of fabrics bought by brands (e.g. whether “100% cotton” is not a cotton-polyester blend) and to validating AI sorting algorithms.
- Forensic fibre examiners need accurate fibre identification, for example when comparing a small fibre sample from a crime scene with a suspect’s clothing. The NIST researchers are now working with investigative agencies that asked to see whether the material can serve as a training tool for examiners, and hope to learn from forensic scientists about their microscopy and validation practices. The NIST post was written for Forensic Science Week.
Source: NIST, Taking Measure — When Scientists Become Accidental Detectives (23.09.2026)