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Analysis and Discrimination of Electrical Tapes: Part II. Backings * ,†
Author(s) -
Mehltretter Andria H.,
Bradley Maureen J.,
Wright Diana M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01873.x
Subject(s) - fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , scanning electron microscope , analytical chemistry (journal) , mass spectrometry , materials science , infrared , infrared spectroscopy , spectroscopy , fourier transform , pyrolysis , chemistry , optics , chromatography , composite material , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
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%); Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) using a microscope accessory ( c. 83%); pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS; c. 81%); and scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS; c. 87%). 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%.