NCJ Number
222163
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2008 Pages: 168-171
Date Published
January 2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In the process of selecting an adhesive tape suitable for forensic fiber sampling, this paper reports on the testing of five commercial adhesive tapes for fiber uptake and saturation, recovery, and ease of analysis.
Abstract
The High Tack (Etilux) tape was selected from the five commercial adhesive tapes tested. It was determined to be a good compromise for daily case work, as it has good recovery, is easy to analyze, and does not saturate too quickly. Since 1999, the High Tack tape has been used as sampling material in a Tape Lifting Kit distributed in all laboratories of the Belgium Federal Police that are responsible for crime-scene processing. This kit is mainly used for tape lifting in cars associated with crimes. Since 2001, the same tape has been used in a "1:1 Tape Lifting Kit" exclusively dedicated to crime-scene processing of corpses. The current study found it to be appropriate for forensic fiber sampling. Since 2004, the backing material on which the tape was placed after sampling has been changed from overhead transparencies to siliconated paper backings. Because of its lesser adherence, the latter backing leaves less glue on the fibers and hairs removed from the tapes. This paper describes the procedures used for determining the fiber uptake of the five tapes. This refers to the amount of fibers recovered when applied only once to a surface. A description is also provided of the recovery experiments, which involved counting recovered and unrecovered target fibers. Testing for ease of analysis focused on the ease with which the tapes could be cut with a scalpel, the cut area of the tape could be lifted, detachment of the fiber without breaking it, the absence or presence of blue on fiber and tweezers, and depositing the fiber on a microscope slide. 4 tables, 3 figures, and 3 references