Analysis and Discrimination of Electrical Tapes: Part 1. Adhesives

• NCJ Number: 233659
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2011 Pages: 82-94
• Author(s): Andria H. Mehltretter, M.S.; Maureen J. Bradley, Ph.D.; Diana M. Wright, Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2011
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study involved the comparative analysis and discrimination of 90 electrical tape adhesives.

Abstract

The objectives included the evaluation of the ability of individual techniques to discriminate samples and the assessment of the ability of the techniques combined to distinguish samples. The techniques utilized were stereomicroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Stereomicroscopy, to assess adhesive colors of black, clear/colorless, and clear adhesives with brown tint, resulted in a discrimination of 53 percent. FTIR analysis yielded eight distinct groups with a discrimination of 67 percent. Py-GC/MS analysis resulted in 16 groups with a discrimination of 83 percent. These analyses confirmed and further subdivided the FTIR groups. SEM/EDS resulted in five separate groups at 17 percent discrimination, increasing the overall discrimination to above 85 percent. (Published Abstract) Tables, figures, and references