Animal fiber identification in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) using the criterion of cuticle scale edge height (CSH) is a well established method suitable for all stages of textile processing. In his paper, P. A. Tucker ( Textile Res. J. 68, 229-230 (1998)) presents results that lead him to state comprehensively, "fiber identification based on scale heights is misleading for some and probably all chemically treated fibers." After scrutinizing Tucker's evidence in view of specific SEM investigations in the literature and applying a consistent terminology, we conclude that he fails to provide valid evidence against the CSH method for discriminating sheep's wool from specialty fibers. Furthermore, we document changes in fiber surface morphology due to textile processing and discuss their general relevance for wool and specialty fiber analysis.
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