Preliminary Evaluation and Sampling of Some Commonly Used Two-Part Epoxies

• NCJ Number: 222500
• Author(s): Stephanie Kleinjan; Sarah Walbridge
• Date Published: April 2008
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From Forensic Science Communications, V 10, N 2, April 2008; downloaded April 29, 2008.

Annotation

This paper presents findings from a preliminary evaluation of two-part epoxies (encountered in forensic casework) using a variety of instrumental techniques.

Abstract

Results showed that the discriminating capability of the techniques employed depended on the type of epoxy. In addition, even after all visual, microscopic, and instrumental examinations, some epoxies within a group could not be differentiated from the others. Epoxy products and other types of adhesives are often used in the construction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, little research has explained the characterization of two-part epoxies in forensic casework. This study was intended to be a preliminary evaluation of two-part epoxies using a variety of instrumental techniques. The techniques used to analyze the epoxies were Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and pyrolysis-gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). References