Analysis and Discrimination of Electrical Tapes: Part II. Backings

• NCJ Number: 236879
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2011 Pages: 1493-1504
• Author(s): Andria H. Mehltretter, M.S.; Maureen J. Bradley, Ph.D.; Diana M. Wright, Ph.D.
• Date Published: November 2011
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented in part at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 16–21, 2009, in Denver, CO.

Annotation

This study analyzed and evaluated the chemical components of the backings of 90 black electrical tapes.

Abstract

The backings of 90 black electrical tapes were analyzed to evaluate the chemical components of these films, the ability of individual techniques to discriminate samples, and the ability of the techniques combined to distinguish samples. The techniques utilized and their respective discrimination results were stereomicroscopy and physical measurements, to include observation of surface features of the backing, width, and thickness measurements (c. 64 percent); Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) using a microscope accessory (c. 83 percent); pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS; c. 81 percent); and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS; c. 87 percent). Ninety-four percent of the backings were discriminated through this combination of analytical methods. Finally, evaluating these results in conjunction with previously published data on the analysis of the adhesives from the same set of electrical tapes provided an overall discrimination of nearly 96 percent. (Published Abstract)