Guideline for Forensic Examination of Pressure Sensitive Tapes:

  • Descriptions of various tapes, manufacturing similarities and differences and the steps in a forensic analysis.

    • Process To Create

  • To provide a standardized approach to an analysis generally conducted randomly and infrequently in forensic laboratories.
  • Drafts offered to community for comment
  • Comments reviewed by the tape subgroup and incorporated or denied. All changes presented to the full SWG for their review.
  • Final draft voted on by full SWG - If approved, submitted to ASTM for incorporation
  • Enforcement - Voluntary

    • Documents

    Guideline for Forensic Examination of Pressure Sensitive Tapes (JASTEE, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Page 88).

    Guideline for Assessing Physical Characteristics in Forensic Tape Examinations (JASTEE, Vol. 5, Issue 1, Page 34)

    Guideline for Using Light Microscopy in Forensic Examinations of Tape Components (JASTEE, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Page 106)

    Guideline for Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations ((JASTEE, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Page 122)

    Guideline for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinationss (JASTEE, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Page 112)

    Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography and Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Tape Examinations (JASTEE, Vol. 5, Issue 1, Page 42)

    Tape Admissibility Package

    Tape Bibliography

    A 2012 Survey Regarding the Status of Forensic Tape Analysis

    Reference Articles

    These articles are provided since they may be difficult to locate and are not copyrighted:

    Forensic Characterization of Black Polyvinyl Chloride Electrical Tape - R. O. Keto

    Forensic Examination of Duct Tape - J. D. Benson

    Comparison of Masking Tapes by Fluorescence Spectroscopy - R. D. Blackledge

    Elemental Examination of Silver Duct Tape Using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry - T.L. Jenkins, Jr.

    The Forensic Value of Duct Tape Comparisons - Jenny Smith

    Duct Tape Analysis as Trace Evidence - Hugh Snodgrass

    Hand-Sectioning and Identification of Pressure-Sensitive Tapes - Anna S. Teetsov and Mary L. Stellmack

    The Characterization of PVC Adhesive Tape - Thomas G. Kee

    Manufacturing Methods - John Johnston

    Tapes with Adhesive Backing: their Characterization in the Forensic Science Laboratory - R. D. Blackledge

    Members

    Andria Mehltretter, FBI Laboratory

    Lee Bender, ATF

    Madlen Margau, Centre of Forensic Sciences

    Mark Ahonen, Indiana State Police Laboratory

    Susan Gross, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

    Thom Hopen, ATF

    Ulrich Simmross, Bundeskriminalamt Kriminaltechnisches Institute

    Corresponding Member

    Jenny M. Smith, Missouri Highway Patrol