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This is to certify that the
thesis entitled

ARTIFICIAL AGING AND ITS EFFECT ON ADHESIVES
AND BACKINGS OF OFFICE AND PACKAGING TAPES

presented by

Chadwyck Lynn Douglass

has been accepted towards fulfillment
of the requirements for the

Master of degree in Criminal Justice
Science

 

 

4:54 UM/c/g é/
Major Professor’s Signature

3 Maugfiggmc

Date

MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution

 

 

LIBRARY
Michigan State
University

 

 

 

PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record.
TO AVOID FINES return on or before date due.
MAY BE RECALLED with earlier due date if requested.

 

DATE DUE

DATE DUE

DATE DUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/05 p:/C|RC/DateDue.indd-p.1

 

FI‘IR SPECTROPHOTOMETRY OF OFFICE AND PACKAGING TAPES, THAT
HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO ACCELERATED AGING BY INCANDESCENT AND
UV LIGHT
By

Chadwyck Lynn Douglass

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE
School of Criminal Justice

2006

ABSTRACT
FIIR SPECTRGPHOTOMETRY OF OFFICE AND PACKAGING TAPES, THAT
HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED To ACCELERATED AGING BY INCANDESCENT AND
UV LIGHT
By

Chadwyck Lynn Douglass

Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT IR) may be used to aid in the
analysis of adhesives and backings from tape samples. Backings and adhesives from
artificially aged and naturally aged packaging and office tape were analyzed. The spectra
of aged and unaged backings and adhesives were compared to each other to determine if
changes were present. Results Show that ultraviolet light and incandescent light cause

changes in some backings and adhesives when artificially aged.

To Jennifer, Liam and Jack.
Thank you for all of your insight, love,
support and kindness during this process.

iii

ACKNOWLEDGENEENT S

Thank you to my thesis committee, Chris Bomman'to, Dr. Chris Smith, Dr. Ruth Waddell
and especially to my advisor, Dr. Jay Siege], for his insight, help and guidance during this

project.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................... vi
LIST OF FIGURES ............................... ‘ .................................................. vii
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1
CLASSIFICATION AND
MANUFACTURING OF ADHESIVE TAPES .................................................. 7
REVIEW OF LITERATURE ..................................................................... 12
MATERIALS AND METHODS .................................................................. 14
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .................................................................. 24
CONCLUSION ...................................................................................... 32
APPENDECES
APPENDIX A
Unaged Tape Backing and Adhesive FT -[R Spectra ......................... 36
APPENDIX B
Unaged Tape Backing and Adhesive FT-IR Spectra
That Have Exhibited Changes ................................................... 71
REFERENCES ...................................................................................... 90

LIST OF TABLES

Table l — IR Changes with Age for 51 Packaging and Office Tapes ........................ 15
Table 2 — Physical description of 51 Packaging and Office Tapes ........................... 16
Table 3 — Weather Conditions for Outside Aging of Tapes... . . ._. ............................ 19
Table 4 — IR Changes in Backings Related to Time Aged with a 1.00-W bulb ............. 28
Table 5 - IR Changes in Adhesives Related to Time Aged with a lOO-W bulb ............ 28
Table 6 — IR Changes in Adhesives Related to Time Aged with a UV light ................ 29

vi

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure l - A schematic drawing of the FT-IR used in this study with major
parts labeled .............................................................................. 5

Figure 2 - A schematic drawing of an ATR crystal with the IR
beam reflecting through the crystal and into the sample ............. 6

Figure 3 — A sample spectrum of an unaged adhesive considered unchanged
when compared to the aged adhesive ................................................ 22

Figure 4 —— A sample spectrum of an aged adhesive considered unchanged
when compared to the unaged adhesive ............................................. 22

Figure 5 — A sample spectrum of an unaged adhesive considered changed
when compared to the aged adhesive ................................................ 23

Figure 6 —- A sample spectrum of an aged adhesive considered changed
when compared to the unaged adhesive ............................................. 23

Figure 7 — Sample spectrum of an office tape adhesive with broad
peaks between 3000 cm'1 and 2800 cm'1 and peaks around
1730 cm'l, 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm'1 ................................................ 24

Figure 8 — Sample spectrum of a packaging tape adhesive with broad
peaks between 3000 cm’1 and 2800 cm’1 and peaks around
1730 cm", 1450 cm'l and 1375 cm’1 ................................................ 25

Figure 9 — Sample spectrum of an office tape backing with large, broad
peaks between 3000 cm'1 and 2800 cm" .......................................... 25

Figure 10 — Sample Spectrum of an office tape backing with smaller, less
broad peaks between 3000 cm'1 and 2800 cm'1 .................................... 26

Figure 11 — Sample spectrum of a packing tape backing with broad
peaks between 3000 cm'1 and 2800 cm’1 and peaks around
1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm'1 ............................................................. 26

Figure 12 - Sample spectrum of a packing tape backing with well defined

peaks between 3000 cm'1 and 2800 cm'1 and one peak
around 1450 cm'1 ...................................................................... 27

vii

Introduction

Various types of tape can be used in the commission of a crime. These tapes may
be new or many years old. In this study the adhesive and backing of two types of tape
were artificially aged and analyzed to determine if their infrared spectra changed as they
aged. By aging the tapes, seeing if there are changes in their spectra and trying to
determine what the changes came from may allow investigators to include or exclude
people from their list of potential suspects based on the tapes to which they have access.
Also, if a piece of tape on an item recovered has been off the roll for a time it could show
different characteristics than the tape that is still on the roll. Thus the investigator and
forensic scientist should not eliminate the tape still on the roll from being the taped used
based on IR spectra alone.

In the process of investigating a crime physical evidence can be a major key in
identifying a suspect and solving the crime that was committed. Forensic scientists first
analyze the evidence using scientific techniques and methods that are generally accepted.
They then draw their conclusions based on their interpretation of the physical evidence as
well as their education, training and experience.

Packaging tape and clear tape, also referred to as adhesive tape or “Scotch” tape
can be physical evidence. These tapes are common products found in many homes and
businesses across the country. The uses of these tapes are numerous and include sealing
packages to be mailed, mending papers or wrapping presents. Illegal uses include
wrapping bundles of drugs and making improvised explosive devices. Because these
tapes are so widely available it would be helpful if the forensic scientist could determine

how both the adhesive on and the backing of these tapes age with time. If the tapes age,

defined here as changing either chemically or physically due to environmental conditions
such as exposure to light or moisture, this may allow for the tape in question, once
analyzed, to be linked to a particular roll of tape and that roll in turn to a suspect. To
most people tape may not seem like valuable evidence, however, when analyzed properly
tape can provide enough information to link the suspect to a crime.

Tape is classified as a pressure sensitive adhesive, which is an adhesive that is
applied to a backing (l). The addition of the backing makes tape different from most
traditional adhesives and permits two items to be analyzed as opposed to just the
adhesive. Some pressure sensitive adhesive products include labels, miscellaneous
products like Post-It Notes, and of course, tapes. Pressure sensitive adhesives normally
adhere firmly to many different surfaces with the need for only finger or hand pressure.
Also, the adhesive does not require a solvent, water or heat to become activated or have a
strong hold. The adhesive and backing, when analyzed in combination, may allow
forensic scientists to differentiate tape samples from one another.

Of the two constituent parts of the tape, the adhesive exhibits more variability
than the material that makes up the backing (2). The adhesive, like traditional adhesives,
is composed of binders, tackifiers and fillers, which contain a variety of natural and
synthetic materials. Typically the backing of the tape is composed of paper, cloth or
plastic. Until recently an important component in the backing of tape was cellophane.
This is because cellophane has exceptional strength but can still be easily torn and is also
very transparent. However, recently cellophane is being replaced by cellulose acetate,
which exhibits many of the same properties as cellulose, but also resists ultraviolet light,

greases, oils and moisture (2).

Previous studies have described the development of an infrared spectra] library of
tape adhesives, techniques to sample the adhesive of the tape and the evidentiary value of
tape (2, 3). In these studies the backings were not always analyzed but when they were
they and the adhesives were analyzed to determine if their manufacturer could be
identified. A previous study showed that backings were too similar to differentiate a
manufacturer for certain, but the adhesive contained enough variation to be able to
establish a link between two tapes or a tape and a manufacturer (4). However, there have
been no reported studies to determine how certain adhesive tapes change with the passage
of time; doing such a study would allow for a comparison to be made between known and
unknown aged tapes as well as determining what evidential value aged tape has if it is
found at a crime scene.

This study is an attempt to determine if the infrared characteristics of tapes
change as the tape ages. This can help to establish whether or not a particular roll of tape
taken from a suspect’s house could have been used in the crime that is being investigated.
The method of collection and analysis used in this study was non-destructive, so if
needed the sample could be reanalyzed by either FT-IR or some other analytical method
such as pyrolysis gas chromatography. The sample preparation time and amount of the
sample used were kept to a minimum, as is needed in the day-to-day operation of a
forensic laboratory. The tapes that were chosen in this study were various types of clear
office tapes and packaging tapes that originated from several manufacturers, including
different brands from each manufacturer.

Analytical techniques used by the forensic scientist to compare the components of

tape include pyrolysis gas chromatography and infrared (IR) spectrophotometry. The

predominant type of IR spectroscopy used today is Fourier transform IR (FT IR)
Spectroscopy. Some advantages of this type of spectroscopy over the previously used
dispersive IR spectroscopy are that it takes less time to obtain a spectrum and the energy
that reaches the sample is greater. The radiation from the IR source is sampled
simultaneously, which is why this method is quicker than the dispersive method. In order
to obtain a Spectrum the sample being analyzed is placed in or on the sample holder and
is irradiated by the IR radiation. The samples in this study were placed on the sample
holder and compressed using a diamond compression cell attenuated total reflectance
(ATR) accessory, which flattened the sample into a thin layer across the sampling area of
the accessory. The most often used method for comparison of tape adhesives and
backings is infrared spectrophotometry. This is primarily because of its short sample
preparation time, the time it takes for the instrument to collect a spectrum and the fact
that it is a non-destructive technique.

While the idea of IR radiation being absorbed by a sample and detected by a
detector may seem straight forward, in reality the radiation passes through many steps to
reach the sample and then the detector. A schematic of an infrared spectrophotometer is
seen in figure, 1. The IR radiation is produced at a start-point, called a source and
proceeds through five steps prior to reaching the sample. After the radiation leaves the
source it bounces off a mirror that directs it to a beam Splitter. This beam splitter, as the
name implies, splits the radiation into two groups, sending part of the radiation to a fixed
mirror and the other part to a moving mirror. Once the radiation reaches these two
mirrors it is bounced back to the beam splitter, allowed to pass through it and onto the

next set of mirrors. Because one mirror is fixed and one is moving this can cause either

constructive or destructive interference in the wavelength of the radiation being
transmitted. The radiation from constructive interference is transmitted to the sample and
then on to the detector. However, radiation from destructive interference never reaches
the detector because the two wavelengths are out of phase with each other, therefore
cancel each other out.

After passing though the beam splitter the radiation will bounce off two rrrirrors
prior to reaching the sample compartment. Depending on the sample accessory being
used the radiation at this point may bounce off more mirrors prior to reaching the sample,
as is the case with the ATR used in this study, or go directly to the sample and then the

detector after bouncing off the detector mirror if using a potassium bromide pellet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IR Source Beam Splitter
AK ——
\ Moving Mirror
\ 4—»
L J '—
Fixed Mirror

IR Detector

   

 

Sample Detector
Cell Mirror

Figure l. A schematic drawing of the FT-IR used in this study with major parts labeled.
As shown in figure 2 the ZnSe focusing element of the ATR crystal allows the IR
beam to be focused on and penetrate the sample numerous times, in this case nine times,

by reflecting off the internal part of the crystal before being detected. This multiple

reflection technique produces a spectrum that has less background noise and interference

than that of a crystal with fewer penetrations into the sample.

Diamond
ATR element

 

   

ZnSe focusing
element

   

 

- I I -
Figure 2. A schematic drawing of an ATR crystal with the IR beam reflecting through
the crystal and into the sample.

An infrared Spectrophotometer aids the forensic scientist in identifying the
adhesive or backing of the tape by being able to differentiate one substance from another.
Different items will vary in the amount of IR radiation the sample being analyzed, either
the adhesive or backing, absorbs and the frequency at which the molecules in the sample
vibrate at various wavelengths. Differentiation can occur because no two substances
absorb IR radiation at the same frequency, therefore each substance produces a unique IR
spectrum. In this study a UV light source and a 100-watt incandescent light bulb were
used to artificially age both the backing and adhesive sides of 27 office tapes and 24

packaging tapes.

Classification and Manufacturing of Adhesive Tapes

Adhesives can be divided into two general categories: natural and synthetic.
Natural adhesives include any adhesive made from animal or plant sources. Synthetic
adhesives are adhesives that are made from any other source.

Natural adhesives include glues made from albumen, casein, shellac, beeswax,
fish byproducts, etc. These natural adhesives do not bond as strongly as synthetic
adhesives and therefore are used in applications where a minimal amount of stress is
placed on the adhesive. Some of the uses for these adhesives are the bonding of light
materials such as paper, foil and light wood.

Examples of synthetic adhesives are man-made polymers and other
manufactured adhesives. Synthetic adhesives can be further subdivided into four
categories depending on the properties of the chemicals in the adhesive. Those categories
are thermoplastic, thermosetting, elastomeric, and alloys. Thermoplastic adhesives are
generally made up of alcohol, polyvinyl, polyvinyl acetate and some acrylics. The
thermoplastic adhesives do not cross-link upon curing, thus allowing these adhesives to
be re-softened if necessary. Thermosetting adhesives cross-link upon curing and
therefore cannot be re-softened once the adhesive is totally cured. Some examples of
thermosetting adhesives are epoxies, polyesters and cyanoacrylates, which is better
known as “super glue.” Elastomeric adhesives possess properties such as elongation,
strength and flexibility properties and are tough. This subdivision of the synthetic

adhesive category includes items such as silicones, styrene-butadiene rubbers and

neoprene. Alloys encompass adhesives made from a combination of any of the other
three previously mentioned synthetic adhesive subdivisions.

While the above system of classification is recognized by many researchers
working with adhesives, there is no universal system. Other classifications such as
physical form, chemical composition, or means of application for classifying adhesives
while others classify tapes by either their construction or their use, are also used. Tapes
that are classified by their construction are almost exclusively differentiated by what
materials make up the backing such as cloth, paper and PVC. Tapes that are classified by
their use are differentiated by the purpose of the tape. Some examples of these include
office tapes, packaging tapes, painter’s tape and duct tapes.

Tape backings also fall into different categories. Backings are made from
materials such as plastic, paper, PVC and cloth. The two most p0pular materials for
backings are cellophane and polypropylene. Cellophane is a form of regenerated
cellulose and is an important type of backing. It is a transparent, thermosetting film and
has excellent strength and clarity yet can be torn easily. However, this backing is being
replaced in some applications by cellulose acetate because of its superior resistance to
moisture, oils, greases and ultraviolet light (2). Cellulose acetate is used primarily in
clear office tapes, while packaging tapes use primarily polypropylene for their backing.
This is because polypropylene has a greater strength and is more resistant to abrasion
than cellulose acetate.

Along with these polymers, adhesive tape backings may also contain plasticizers,
stabilizers, pigments, extenders and other additives. On the side of the backing that does

not contain the adhesive a release coating is typically applied (5). This coating, as the

name implies, allows the adhesive to release from the backing so that as much of the
adhesive as possible can be used to adhere to the surface on which the tape is being
placed. The release layer also facilitates unwinding of the tape and prevents splitting of
the adhesive layer.

Tape is generally produced in the same manner no matter what its final intended
use. There are two phases to the production of tape: coating and slitting. The coating
phase is the application of the adhesive to the backing and the slitting phase is the process
of cutting the tape into rolls. Prior to these two phases of producing the final tape
product, there are steps that need to be taken in order to get the backing and adhesive
prepared for application of one to the other.

The first step in the coating process is preparing the adhesive. At the start of the
process the adhesive is in a concentrated bulk state and must be thinned down so it is less
viscous and can be applied to the backing. There are three methods of making the
adhesive less viscous: water based coating, hot melt coating and solvent coating. Water
based coating and solvent coating are very Similar because both us a solvent - either
water or some other solvent — to reduce the bulk adhesive, which is in liquid form, to the
proper consistency. Once the desired consistency is reached for the adhesive it is coated
onto the backing and then both the adhesive and backing go through an oven that is
heated. This heating process evaporates off the solvent and the final product remains.
The hot melt process is different because the bulk adhesive is a solid instead of a liquid.
Once the adhesive has reached the desired consistency it is coated onto the backing just
as previously described. Because there is no solvent to evaporate, the tape does not pass

through an oven, so once cooled it is the finished product.

The backing of the tape is prepared on the side opposite the adhesive so when the
roll of tape is formed it does not stick to itself. The backing has a release coating applied
to it which is often made of Silicone (5). Along with making the tape easier to unwind
the release coating allows the slitting process to be more efficient.

Once the coating process is complete the tape is on a large roll that is ready to be
cut into smaller rolls. These smaller rolls can vary in length and width by changing
settings on where the cutting blades are placed in relation to the blade next to it. In order
to achieve the final product the tape is unwound off the large roll and onto a machine that
has cutting blades. As the backing passes over the blades they cut the tape into the
desired widths and lengths. Most of the tapes marketed today are produced in this
general way.

While there are similarities in the manufacturing process different manufacturers
make the backing of the tape from many different materials. Some examples that are
used in backings are paper, cloth and cellulose. The backings of tape can be clear,
colored or have design on them and their properties are selected by the manufacturer to
allow the tape to function for a specific purpose. For example, electrical tape is made of
a plastic or PVC backing that is designed to insulate electrical wires, while masking tape
uses a backing that has a moisture resistant coating.

While adhesive composition is more variable than backing composition, it is still
critical to the performance of the tape, Since without the adhesive the tape would not
serve its purpose. There are two types of adhesives used in pressure sensitive tapes:

rubber or resins and acrylics. The rubber and resins are relatively inexpensive to produce

10

since they come from rubber trees and the oil industry, respectively, but do not perform
as well as the acrylics, particularly in relation to exposure to light, heat or aging.

Acrylics are synthetic polymers and have excellent aging characteristics and very
strong tack. In addition, acrylics also are resistant to hydrolysis and have good ultraviolet
stability. Acrylics are more expensive to manufacture, but when high standards of
performance are needed the manufactures turn to acrylic rather than rubber or resin
adhesives (5).

The components that make up the adhesive in tape are continuously being updated
and changed by the manufacturers (6). Factors such as the need to reduce the cost,

improve the quality or availability of products are reasons for such changes.

11

Review of Literature

In the past, two techniques were commonly to use in the analysis of tape
adhesives: pyrolysis gas chromatography and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. These are
reliable techniques and both can determine whether a sample could have come from a
particular roll or not (7). Pyrolysis gas chromatography is a well established technique
that uses heat to decompose small samples in the absence of air, into gaseous products
which are then separated by a gas chromatograph.

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometry has been the most utilized
method of analyzing adhesive tapes. Each substance that adsorbs IR radiation does so at
its own frequencies resulting in a unique IR adsorption spectrum of each substance
analyzed.

Today many forensic laboratories have IR spectrophotometers, most of which are
FT-IR spectrophotometers. These Spectrophotometers are much more efficient and cost
Si gnificantly less than the previous IR spectrophotometers, allowing numerous
laboratories to have this instrument at their disposal.

Clear pressure sensitive office tape was analyzed by M. Sakayanagi et al. using an
attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory. He found that adhesive tapes use either a
rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive or an acrylic-based pressure sensitive adhesive
(4). These tapes were found to contain enough different components that they could be
differentiated by manufacturer, and furthermore, into various categories from the same

manufacturer.

12

Maynard .et al. did a study where they collected data relating to many different '
types of pressure sensitive adhesive tapes, including clear office tape (2). They collected
spectra from 27 different clear pressure sensitive adhesive tapes and found they could be
classified into 5 different categories based on variations in the adhesive each utilized.
Although it has been noted that manufacturers change their formulation of adhesives over
time, none of these studies noted how the tapes change over time (2).

Numerous studies have been performed to determine suitable techniques of
collecting IR Spectra from various adhesives and tape backings. Among the techniques
tested were the use of a diamond anvil cell accessory, Potassium Bromide (KBr) pellets,
diffuse reflectance infrared spectrophotometry and internal reflectance infrared
spectrophotometry, also referred to as ATR (3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). Research indicates that
both ATR and a diamond cell accessory are effective methods for obtaining spectra of
these samples (3, ll, 12). This is because the sample size could be small, the sample
requires little preparation and cleaning the sampling accessory is uncomplicated.

There have been no studies reported in the literature on aging of adhesive tapes.
Some analogy can be drawn to studies involving the artificial aging of inks, which
employ exposure to ultraviolet and visible light, using both natural and artificial sources
(13, 14). One of these studies utilized UV light for artificially accelerating the aging
process of the ink. In that study lines were drawn on paper to obtain samples of ink from
the pen. These samples were subsequently irradiated with a UV light source that was
approximately five and one half inches above the samples (13). Following the irradiation
by the UV light for a set amount of time the sample was analyzed and the process

repeated.

13

Materials and Methods

The diamond compression cell ATR method was chosen because it proved to be
less time consuming than placing the adhesive or backing on a KBr pellet or using some
other transmission method. This is because the amount of adhesive removed was small,
sometimes hard to remove, and did not Spread across surfaces easily. Also, all of the
adhesive would need to be removed from the backing, which would be difficult to do
without tearing the backing, to obtain a quality spectrum of the backing alone. Finally,
cost and sample size would not be a factor because small samples can easily be analyzed.
In this instance ATR spectra have an advantage over transmission spectra because the
ATR allows for a smaller sample of the item to be used and negates the problem of
removing all of the adhesive and trying to spread it on a surface.

Following the selection of the sampling technique, samples from various
adhesives and backings were collected. Fifty-one individual samples of commercially
available tapes were collected prior to the aging the tapes. These tape samples were
obtained from hardware stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies and office
supply stores in the greater Toledo, Ohio area. A complete list of these tapes can be
found in Table 1, while their physical description is in Table 2.

Two types of tape were used in this study: office tape and packaging tape. Office
tapes are generally colorless and have a clear cellophane backing and all 27 office tapes
in this study were colorless. In contrast, packaging tape backings often come in colors,

typically tan, but some come in clear as well. Of the 24 packaging tapes in this study,

14

two were tan and 22 were clear. All of the packaging tapes were wider than the office

tapes, since they are used to hold together larger items. Given that the two types of tape

Table 1. IR Changes with Age for 51 Packaging and Office Tapes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adhesive Backing
Sample Common Name Classificationr Changes Chmw

1 3m Transparent Tape Office No No

2 Ace Invisible Tape Office No No

3 Ace Transparent Tape Office No No

4 Annapolis Clear Tape Office No No

5 Annapolis Invisible Tape Office No No

6 Big Lots Invisible Value Tape* Office No Yes, 100W bulb
7 Duck No More Scissors Tape Office No No

8 Duck One Touch Tape Office No No

9 Elmer’s Invisible Tape Office No No

10 Elmer’s Ultra Clear Tye Office No No

11 Highland Transparent Tape Office No Yes, 100W bulb
12 LePages Transparent Tape Office No Yes, 100W bulb
13 Office Max Invisible Tape Office No Yes, 100W bulb
14 Office Works Invisible Tape Office No Yes, 100W bulb
15 Office Works Transparent Tape Office No Yes, 100W bulb
l6 Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape Office Yes, 100W bulb No

17 Rite Aid Invisible Tape* Office No No

18 Scotch Gift Wrap Tape Office No No

19 Scotch Glossy Tape Office No No
20 Scotch Magic Tape Office No No
21 Scotch MultiTask Tape Office No No
22 Scotch Removable Tape* Office No Yes, 100W bulb
23 Scotch Transparent Tape Office No No
24 Targgt Invisible Tape* Office No No
25 Walgreens Invisible Tape Office No No
26 Walgreens Transparent Tape'“ Office No No
27 Work.org Invisible Tape+ Office No Yes, 100W bulb
28 3m Packagi_nLTape+ Packaging Yes, 100W bulb No
29 Annapolis Mailing Tape Packaging No No

30 Duck EZ Start Tape* Packaging No No

31 Duck Super EZ Tape Packaging No No

Yes, 100W bulb

32 Office Depot Strapping Tape Packaging & UV No

33 Office Max Mailing Tape Packaging No No

34 Office Max Strapping Tape Packaging No No

35 Office Max Tan MailifiTape Packaging No No

 

 

15

 

36 Works Clear T No
37 Works T

38 ' Stik ' T

39 Stik T

40 Tear T

41 Clear Box Seali T I
42 T Y
43 T

44 ' T

45 T

46 S

47 Tear
48 T

     

~<~<r<r<

No
No

UV
UV
UV

Hand T
Duct T No
Yes, 100W bulb

& UV
No
No

49 ' T I
50 SP8 ' T
51 al Hi Performance Pac ' T

* these tapes were aged outside for seven days
I these were and re-anal

Table 2. Physical description of 51 Packaging and Office Tapes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Common Name Classification Width (in inches) Color
1 3m Transparent Tajfi Office 1/2 Clear
2 Ace Invisible Tape Office 1/2 Clear
3 Ace Transparent Tape Office 1/2 Clear
4 Annapolis Clear Tape Office 3/4 Clear
5 Annapolis Invisible Tape Office 3/4 Clear
6 Bigisots Invisible Value Tape Office 1/2 Clear
7 Duck No More Scissors Tape Office 3/4 Clear
8 Duck One Touch Tape Office 3/4 Clear
9 Elmer’s Invisible Tape Office 3/4 Clear
10 Elmer’s Ultra Clear Tape Office 3/4 Clear
11 Highland Transparent Tape Office 3/4 Clear
12 LePgts Transparent Tape Office 1/2 Clear
13 Office Max Invisible Tfie Office 3/4 Clear
14 Office Works Invisible Tape Office 1/2 Clear
15 Office Works Transparent Tape Office 1/2 Clear
16 Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape Office 3/4 Clear
17 Rite Aid Invisible Tape Office 1/2 Clear
18 Scotch Gift Wrap Tape Office 3/4 Clear
19 Scotch Glossy Tape Office 3/4 Clear
20 Scotch Magic Tflae Office 3/4 Clear
21 Scotch MultiTask Tape Office 3/4 Clear
22 Scotch Removable Tape Office 3/4 Clear
23 Scotch Transparent Tape Office 3/4 Clear
24 nget Invisible Tape Office 3/4 Clear

 

16

 

25 al Invisible T 1/2 Clear
T T
Invisible T
' T
is ' T
k EZ Start T
k EZ T

 

T
Max T
Max T
Max Tan Mail T
Works Clear Mailin T
Works ' T
'k Stik Pac 'n T

° Stik T

'k Tear ' T
Clear Box
T
T
' T
Stretch T
S Stren
Tear Hand T
T Duct T
Pac ' T
SPS Pac T
al Hi Performance

have different uses it was assumed that the backings would be different materials.
However, the material from which the backing was made was not able to be determined
when compared to both spectra obtained in this study and known spectral databases.
The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer used to collect the
infrared spectra of both the backings and adhesives was a Di giLab Excalibur Series FT-
IR spectrophotometer (Randolph, Massachusetts). The spectrophotometer is equipped
with a deuterated tri glycine sulfate (DTGS) detector and the diamond compression cell

accessory (SensIR Technologies, Danbury, CT). The software used to analyze the

spectra was Resolutions Pro, also a product of Di giLab. The aging of the tapes was

17

accomplished using a 100W incandescent light bulb as well as a Spectroline CX-20 UV
light source (Westbury, NY).

Prior to irradiation, spectra were collected from both the adhesive and backing of
the unaged tape samples. Then adhesive and backing samples were irradiated under a
100W incandescent light bulb and a UV light source, set to 254nm, for 20, 40, 50, 70 and
90 hours. The backings and adhesives were irradiated separately by placing the tape on a
piece of paper with the part of the tape being studied facing the light source which was
raised six centimeters above the samples. During the aging and analysis process the
backing was peeled off, analyzed and then replaced on the paper for further aging. An
additional step to allow irradiation of the adhesive was tacking the tape down on each end
with a small piece of tape to ensure the tape did not curl or wind back onto itself.

The proximity of the light source to the adhesive and backing being aged was
such that all of the adhesive would be exposed to the irradiation Since it is approximately
40um thick. The thickness of the backing was not determined because its removal was
not needed for analysis to occur. To determine the approximate temperature these tapes
were exposed to during the artificial aging process a thermometer was placed beside the
tapes, directly under the light source. Following obtaining the temperature reading,
approximately 62°C, an oven was set at that temperature and one tape was placed in an
oven for 90 hours to determine if the changes observed were from light or temperature. It
was determined that the changes came from the light, as the tape heated in the oven had
no spectral changes.

After irradiation for the given times Spectra were collected. Even though time

passed between when the exposure to the irradiation ended and the last spectrum was

18

obtained, this delay would be negligible because of the effects of irradiation on the tape.
Also, any light that might reach the samples after artificial aging would not be as intense
since it would be coming from a source considerably further than six centimeters away.
Ten tapes were placed outdoors and allowed to age for a week and a whole roll of
tape was analyzed in ten foot increments. Spectra of these increments were collected
prior to artificial aging and the aged 90 hours to determine if changes were consistent
throughout the roll. Table 3 lists the conditions for the outdoor aged tapes. The IR
spectra of both the adhesive and backing of these tapes were then collected. Table 1
indicates which tapes had changes in their spectra following the artificial aging as well as
their classification as either office tape or packaging tape, determined from their end use.
The spectra of the unaged tapes are in Appendix A; Appendix B contains the spectra of

the tapes that exhibited

Table 3. Weather Conditions for Outside Aging of Tapes

T Low T Other Conditions
33 22 Ii snow trace
36 16
37 25

32 26 rain, snow 0.5 inches
29 24 snow 0.3 inches

33 20 Sunn

38 20 S

 

changes, in the following order: backing changes with a 100W bulb, adhesive changes
with a 100W bulb and adhesive changes with the ultraviolet light. Prior to each aged
sample is an unaged sample for comparison.

The instrument was calibrated daily using a polypropylene film. Before each

spectrum was collected a background spectrum was taken with the top to the instrument

19

open, due to the size of the diamond compression accessory. Twenty scans from 4000
cm'1 to 600 cm"1 at five kHz and a resolution of 4 were taken of the background and each
tape sample.

To prepare the adhesive samples for analysis they were carefully removed from
the outermost and middle part of a one-centimeter square region of the backing using a
scalpel and forceps. The area the adhesive was removed from was determined by
observing that there was still tackiness on the backing following the removal of some of
the adhesive. Following this removal the adhesive was worked into a ball, approximately
the size of the head of a pin, weighing about 0.8 mg.

The removal of the adhesive from the backing was necessary because when the
adhesive was placed on the diamond compression cell, while still attached to the backing,
and sampled the adhesive was too thin to obtain a good spectrum. The adhesive sample
was then removed from the backing and placed on the diamond compression cell with
forceps and compressed, spreading the adhesive into a thin layer over the diamond cell.
Following the collection of each spectrum the adhesive was removed from the diamond
cell and the compression pin and both were cleaned with chloroform to remove any
adhesive residue and allowed to dry for 5 minutes.

The backing required much less preparation than the adhesive since the adhesive
did not need to be removed prior to obtaining a spectrum of the backing. The irradiated
backing was removed from the paper on which it was placed to be exposed to the light
source, a clean part of the backing was chosen, placed on the diamond compression cell

and compressed. Multiple spectra were collected from the backing at various times of

20

aging to obtain the most consistent results. However, due to the small area sampled by
the ATR accessory the exact area was not sampled each time.

Following the collection, spectra were compared. The unaged spectra from each
make and type of tape were compared to the aged spectra of that tape. Each comparison
was analyzed for differences between the unaged vs. the aged spectra as well as between
the spectra that had been aged for different amounts of time. After these initial
comparisons another four spectra were collected from a single piece of aged tape to
determine if sampling different areas of this small piece of tape had any effects on the
spectrum obtained.

Comparisons of the spectra were performed on the computer screen by overlaying
one spectrum on top of the other. The spectra were determined to be different when
peaks increased or decreased by more than one-half of their intensity, were totally
eliminated or added, or where shoulders of peaks appeared or disappeared. See figures 1
and 2 for tapes considered the same and figures 3 and 4 for tapes considered different
before and after aging. Tapes in which changes were observed were noted and a random
sample of five of the tapes that changed were selected and artificially aged and analyzed

again; see Table 1 for these tapes.

21

0'35 ~ Office Max Tan Mailing Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

$0.20 -
V
0.10 ‘
0.00‘ ‘1 .. . ,
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Figure 3. A sample spectrum of an unaged adhesive considered unchanged when
compared to the aged adhesive.

0.30 - Office Max Tan Mailing Tape adhesive aged 90 hrs UV

 

 

3600 3000 2400 2000 1600 1000
Wavenumber

Figure 4. A sample spectrum of an aged adhesive considered unchanged when compared
to the unaged adhesive.

22

0.45 ~
Target Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

0.15 -
O 00 ._ W72 44 .—A W _
3500 3 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Figure 5. A sample spectrum of an unaged adhesive considered changed when compared
to the aged adhesive.

0'45 ' Target Packaging Tape adhesive aged 20 hrs 100W bulb

$0.30 ~
V€0.15 ‘ W

0.00 1

 

 

I I I 3 u ' I

2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber

3500 3000

Figure 6. A sample spectrum of an aged adhesive considered to be changed between
800 cm"1 and 700 cm’1 when compared to the unaged adhesive.

23

Results and Discussion

Analysis and comparison of the unaged tapes showed that both the office and
packaging tapes had similarities in peaks within the class being compared, no matter what
brand was being analyzed. A comparison of the backing as described above yielded a
similar conclusion.

As seen in Figures 5 and 6, both the office and packaging tape adhesives had a
broad peak that occurs between 3000 cm'1 and 2800 cm", which occurs in all 51 of the
tapes. This could be a grouping of three or four unresolved peaks which may be from the
stretching of a polypropylene molecule. Another common, sharp, peak found in the
adhesives, which is probably from a carbonyl group, occurred around 1730 cm’1 in all 27
of the office tape spectra and in 17 out of 24 of the packaging tape spectra. Two other
sharp peaks present in all of the office tape adhesive spectra as well as those of the
packaging tape adhesive spectra are found around 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm". These may

also be from the stretching of carbon-hydrogen bonds in a polypropylene molecule.

0.30

0.20 -

0.10 _
‘ * N

0.00 2.-.---

ooooooo

 

.......

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Figure 7. A sample spectrum of an office tape adhesive with broad peaks between 3000
cm'1 and 2800 cm'1 and peaks around 1730 cm'l, 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm".

24

0.35 .
€2.20 _
‘C .10

0.00

Figure 8. A sample spectrum of a packaging tape adhesive with broad peaks between
3000 cm" and 2800 cm" and peaks around 1730 cm“, 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm“.

.. jf\/\ M
. .... ._ w~w‘w, ,M~w~~ w.~_.~-- \-~. — -. _- w ~ MW-« .4 ._.-ra—v ‘ I
I . . . . . u -. u .

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Just as office and packaging tape adhesives have similarities between them, the
backings of these tapes do as well. The office tape backing spectra showed large, broad
peaks between 3000 cm'l and 2800 cm'1 in 21 out of 27 tapes and just as with the
adhesives, these are probably from three or four different peaks that are unresolved
(Figure 7). Six of the 27 office tape backings had peaks at this same range, but these
were smaller and not as broad (Figure 8). There were peaks around 1730 cm], and the
group of two around 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm", just as seen previously with the adhesives.

These peaks were present in 22 and 20 out of the 27 office tape backing spectra,

respectively.
0.30 “
§020 '~
V0.10 '* A
.0. ._-...WW- saw... «Mai.
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Figure 9. A sample spectrum of an office tape backing with large, broad peaks between
3000 cm" and 2800 cm“.

25

€0.30 ~
V -

- J

A
0 00 . “L”

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Figure 10. A sample Spectrum ofl an office tape backing with smaller, less broad peaks
between 3000 cm and 2800 cm

There were two similarities in all 24 of the unaged packaging tape spectra
analyzed. These were the large, broad peaks as seen in the other spectra between 3000
cm"1 and 2800 cm], and the two peaks around 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm". There were 21
out of 24 packaging tape spectra that had three or four distinct peaks with the broad area;

' three out of 24 of them had two well defined peaks in this region and the two peaks
around 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm'1 occurred in all 24 and 20 out of the 24 packaging tape

backings, respectfully (Figures 9 and 10).

0. 25 —
2500 1500 1000
Wavenumber2000

Figurel 1. A sample spectrum of a packing tape backing with broad peaks between 3000
cm'l and 2800 cm'1 and peaks around 1450 cm'1 and 1375 cm".

26

aaaaaaa

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Figure 12. A sample spectrum ofl a packing tape backing with we‘ll defined peaks
between 3000 cm and 2800 cm and one peak around 1450 cm .

Even though many of the spectra were similar to each other they all varied in
certain regions. All of the samples differed the most in the fingerprint region between
1400 cm'1 and 200 cm'1 (15). While this area of the Spectrum contains much variation,
due to numerous absorptions being present, the amount of variation is also the reason
interpretation and determination of an exact molecule is difficult.

Following the artificial aging the aged and unaged spectra were compared and it
was determined that the most significant changes were found in the fingerprint region in
all of the backings and adhesives in which changes occurred. Neither the color nor the
tackiness of the tape changed from what it was prior to the artificial aging process. In the
office tapes eight out of 27 tapes had changes present in their backings and one out of 27
had a change in its adhesive when artificially aged with a 100W light bulb. No changes
were seen for the backing of the packaging tape when artificially aged in this manner but
it was able to be determined, based on spectral comparison to both known library
databases and samples obtained in this study these backings were not cellulose acetate
(16, 17). However, three of the 24 adhesives exhibited changes in their spectra. When

artificially aged using ultraviolet light none of the office tapes exhibited any changes in

27

 

either their backing or adhesive spectra. While the backings of the 24 packaging tapes

also showed no changed, 11 of the 24 packaging tapes had spectral changes in their

adhesives using this light source. See Tables 4, 5 and 6 for these results. The ten tapes

that were aged outside showed no changes in their spectra, while the tapes that were

sampled in different places on the small piece and along the entire roll showed changes

similar to those previously mentioned. The changes that were seen in the adhesives could

be from bonds between parts of the molecules in the adhesive becoming weaker or even

breaking as the tape ages.

Table 4. IR Changes in Backings Related to Time Aged with a 100-W bulb

BACKING CHANGES - 100W bulb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectral
difference 40 vs. 50 vs. 70 vs. 90 vs. 90 vs.
20 vs. 0 20 40 50 70 0
Sample Common Name Classification hours hours hours hours hours hours
1 Mots Invisible Value Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
2 Highland Transparent Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
3 LePages Transparent Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
4 Office Max Invisible Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
5 Office Works Invisible Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
6 Office Works Transparent Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
7 Scotch Removable Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
8 Work.org Invisible Tape Office No Yes No No No Yes
Table 5. IR Changes in Adhesives Related to Time Aged with a 100-W bulb
ADHESIVE CHANGES - 100W bulb
Spectral
difference 40 vs. 50 vs. 70 vs. 90 vs. 90 vs.
20 vs. 0 20 40 50 70 0
Sample Common Name Classification hours hours hours hours hours hours
1 Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape Office No No No No Yes Yes
2 3m Packagipg Tape Packamg Yes No No No No Yes
3 Office Depot Strapping Tape Packagflg Yes No No No No Yes
4 Target Packaging Tape Packagi_ng Yes No No No No Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

Table 6. IR Changes in Adhesives Related to Time Aged with a UV light

ADHESIVE CHANGES - UV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectral
difference 40 vs. 50 vs. 70 vs. 90 vs. 90 vs.
20 vs. 0 20 40 50 70 0
Sample Common Name Classification hours hours hours hours hours hours
1 Office Depot Strapping Tape Packafig Yes No No No No Yes
2 Office Works Clear Mailing Tape Packaflg No No No No Yes Yes
3 Office Works Strapping Tape Packm Yes No No No Yes Yes
4 Quik Stik Packaging Tam Packaging No No Yes Yes No Yes
5 Quik Stik Strapping Tape Packaging Yes No No No No Yes
6 Scotch Clear Box SealingTape Packaging No Yes No No Yes Yes
7 Scotch Packaging Tape Packaflg No No No No Yes Yes
8 Scotch Stretchy Tape Packaging No No No No Yes Yes
9 Scotch Super Strength Packagfirg Tape Packaging No No No No Yes Yes
10 Scotch Tear-py-Hand Tape Pacgging Yes No No Yes No Yes
11 Target Packaging Tape Packaging Yes Yes No No No Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the office tape backings many of the peaks in the fingerprint region that were

present when the tapes were analyzed without aging were either significantly less in their

intensities or missing all together. The peak just prior to the fingerprint region, around

1730 cm", was still present in all but one brand of tape. However, in one brand but two

different types of tape, it was significantly less intense than it was prior to the artificial

aging process. Along with these changes, other changes occurred in the area where the

broad bands were seen prior to aging. These changes, while occurring in all eight tapes

in which the backing changed, had slightly different effects on the specific spectrum. In

three of the tapes the bands were less intense and not as defined as they were prior to the

artificial aging, while in the other five the peaks were more intense and more defined.

It was determined that the backing of the office tape was most likely cellulose

acetate, which is usually resistant to UV light and other elements. However, since the

aging of the backing occurred using a 100W incandescent light bulb this could be an

explanation as to why the backing Showed changes.

29

Even though with the 100W light bulb as an artificial aging source there were not
as many office tape adhesives that changed when compared to office tape backings, some
changes were noted. These occurred in one office tape adhesive as well as three
packaging tape adhesives. In these four all but one of the changes were present in the
previously mentioned fingerprint region of the spectrum. The lone change outside of that
region dealt with the peak around 1730 cm]; it was present in the unaged spectrum and
present but much less intense in the artificially aged spectrum. Three of the four spectra
had changes between 800 cm'1 and 700 cm'1 while the other had additions and deletions
of peaks between 1250 cm'1 and 1025 cm".

Just as with the adhesives mentioned above, the majority of the changes following
artificial aging using the ultraviolet light source occurred in the fingerprint region as well.
In this region six of the 11 tapes that had spectral changes gained broad unresolved peaks
between 1350 cm’1 and 925 cm’l, while two tapes lost peaks in this region and two tapes
exhibited similar changes that had previously been noted between 800 cm'1 and 700 cm".
One final change that was observed was dealing with the previously mention peak around
1730 cm". In this instance its intensity in two tapes diminished greatly, in one tape it
intensified somewhat and in six others it was present post-artificial aging but not present
prior to that.

The 12 adhesives that changed in their IR spectra were compared to spectral
libraries and determined to be two different polymers, six of each. The polymers that
made up most of the adhesives were most likely polyisobutylacrylate, which was
determined to be on tapes such as Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape and 3M Packaging Tape,

and poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, which was most likely on tapes such as Office Works

30

Mailing Tape and Scotch Clear Box Sealing Tape. Also based on spectral comparison,
the changes in the 12 adhesives were most likely from partial evaporation of the solvent
phenylglycidylether, which was still present in residual amounts on the adhesive after the
manufacturing process (16, 17).

Adhesive on one tape, Quik Stik Packaging Tape, seemed to have erratic changes
during the aging process. The original changes from unaged to aged 50 hours could be
attributed solvent evaporation, whereas the changes from 50 to 70 hours of aging could
be linked to the degradation of some of the bonds in the molecule after irradiation by UV
light.

These results show that infrared changes due to artificial aging can occur when
both an incandescent 100W light bulb and an ultraviolet light source are used. While

some spectra changed others did not.

31

Conclusion

This study has shown that both the adhesive and backing of tapes can be
characterized by infrared spectrophotometry and that aging of adhesives and backings
could help determine if a questioned piece of tape could have come from a particular
source. Also shown is that a forensic scientist must be careful when analyzing the
infrared spectrum since changes in the tape originally used may cause that tape to be
eliminated as the tape used years later. Because infrared spectroscopy measures only one
chemical property of tapes, it would be sensible to employ other methods of analyses of
the physical and chemical characteristics of the adhesive and backing prior to making a
final conclusion in the comparison of known and unknown tapes. Maynard et al. used a
well-rounded analytical scheme to analyze numerous chemical and physical
characteristics of the tape (2). A scheme such as this, along with the infrared spectral
data will provide the forensic scientist more information to possibly confirm the origin of
the tape.

The spectra collected from the aged and unaged tape adhesives and backings
indicate that the components of the tape change over time. Some spectra are similar
between the different adhesives from different tapes, so caution must be used to be sure
that the questioned tape is the same brand and type (i.e. Scotch Packaging Tape or
Annapolis Clear Mailing Tape) as the brand and type being used for the known, unaged,
sample. This may be possible if the questioned tape can be linked back to a suspect and
some tape found at the residence or other place from which the item may have originated.

However, if a known sample is not available it would be hard to determine the

32

manufacturer or type of tape from which the questioned item came based solely on IR
spectra. Possible manufacturers may be able to be determined if other analytical tests are
performed. A spectral library that includes both aged and unaged tapes could help
narrow the options of manufacturers or types of tape that the questioned sample could be.

Other physical properties such as color and width should be compared prior to
drawing a conclusion as to whether or not the tape could have come from the same
source.

The collection of useful spectra from both backings and adhesives in this study
confirmed the use of the diamond compression method as an effective and time saving
method, just as previously cited studies had. Another advantage of this diamond
compression method is that it is not necessary to use a microscope accessory to the FT-IR
spectrophotometer. This will allow laboratories that have limited funds to still analyze
tape adhesives and backings.

This study showed that some adhesive tapes Show changes in their infrared
spectra as they age. Since tapes that have aged naturally change color and lose their tack
over time it would be conceivable that a change in coloration or tackiness of the tape
would occur when artificially aged. However, the change is not as consistent as may
have been previously thought, at least with the use of this artificial aging technique.

The diamond compression ATR method could be used as a sampling technique in
future studies in which FT-IR Spectrophotometers are used to look at different methods of
aging tape. Since tapes that age naturally lose their tackiness and change color, some
other experiments that could be done include allowing tape to age naturally in a variety of

conditions, such as outside, inside and in direct sunlight. UV-visible

33

microspectrophotometry can also be employed to study color changes in these tapes as
they age.

While one whole roll of tape was analyzed in this study, its focus was on only a
small part of a whole roll. In future Studies, valid conclusions could be determined about
the consistency of tape Should be determined by aging samples from more than one entire
roll.

Another valuable study would be to purchase several rolls of tape of the same
brand and type over a period of time. After doing this, these rolls could be analyzed to
see how often the manufacturer makes changes to their adhesive formula and the
variability between the formulas when changes are made. Also, a library of the aged
adhesives could be created so it could be searched if a questioned aged sample is
submitted to the laboratory, although further studies on variability would first be
necessary to confirm reliability of such a database.

Studies similar to the previous three described could be done in relation to the
backing of tapes as well. However, these changes may not be as prevalent because the
composition of the backing varies less frequently than that of the adhesive and it seems
that the backing for the most part, does not age when using this accelerated aging
technique. Nonetheless, identification of the backing is important, because the more
knowledge there is about a tape product, the greater the understanding of its evidentiary
value. Therefore, studies of this type should be considered. If the tape changes
frequently the greater the evidentiary value is and the more significant the product is to

the investigation.

34

APPENDICES

35

APPENDIX A

Unaged Tape Backing and Adhesive FT-IR Spectra

36

0.30 "

0.00

0.22

0.16

0.10

Adsmianw

0.00

0.30

0.15

AM

.o
0
Ur

8

Ace Invisible Tape backing unaged

 

W

2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber

3500 3000

Ace Transparent Tape backing unaged

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500

 

1000
Wavenumber
Scotch Glossy Tape backing unaged
,. W M”
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

37

0.50

0.30

Adsmirm'

0.10

0.00

0.18

0.12

Advoniance

0.22

if

Duck One Touch Tape backing unaged

 

J

 

 

 

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
Duck No More Scissors Tape backing unaged
'aéoo' '30'00' '25'00' '20'00' i ' 'r‘s'oo"' ' g.1600" '
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
3M Transparent Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

38

0.20 —

0.00

0.22

0.14

Admiancc

0.25 -

0.15

Adrom

0.05

0.00

Walgreens Invisible Tape backing unaged

l n u n I I I n l I I I I I i U I I I I l I I I I 0

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

- Walgreens Transparent Tape backing unaged

 

:WW LMJIM

3500 3000 2500 2000 1000

1500
Wavenumber
Target Invisible Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

39

0.5 —

0.30

Adrortanw

0.10

0.00

0.50

0.30

Admittance

0.10

0.00

0.45

—- '

3500

3500

3500

3000

3000 2500

3000

Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape backing unaged

2000

Wavenumber

Rite Aid Invisible Tape backing unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

Big Lots Invisible Value Tape backing unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

40

1500

1500

 

1500

 

1000

 

1000

1000

0.45

g 0.30
V

0.15

0.00

0.30

0.00

0.30

0.00

Work.org Invisible Tape backing unaged

3500

3000

2500
Wavenumber

LePage’s Transparent Tape backing unaged

3500

3000

2500

Wavenumber

Scotch Removable Tape backing unaged

3500

3000

2500

Wavenumber

41

2000

2000

2

 

 

1500

 

 

1500

 

 

1500

1000

1000

1000

0.30

0.20

AM

0.35

0.20

Am

I

Office Max Invisible Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

_ WW
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
Highland Transparent Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
— Office Works Transparent Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

42

0 30 Office Works Invisible Tape backing unaged

0.20 *

0.00 — w V” W "H

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

AW

 

 

0.14 " Elmer’s Invisible Tape backing unaged

0.08 “

Ammo:

 

0.00 "r
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0.04 — Elmer’s Ultra Clear Tape backing unaged
0.01 a .
“.001 ~ ‘ ' A ' ”L
-0.04 .g . _
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

43

0.25

0.15

Adv/fiance

.o
O
Ur

S

0.16

0.10

V 0.04

0.00

0.60

0.00

Annapolis Clear Tape backing unaged

 

LEW

2000 1500 1000

2500

3500 3000

 

Wavenumber
Scotch Magic Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
Scotch Gift Wrap Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

0.16

0.10

0.06

V 0.02
0.00

0.10 -

0.06

Ads-016m

-0.02

Scotch MultiTask Tape backing unaged

3500 3000 2500 2000
Wavenumber

Scotch Transparent Tape backing unaged

0‘. I n v 0 IU‘I

2500 2000
Wavenumber

3500 3

Annapolis Invisible Tape backing unaged

Wavenumber

45

3500 3000 2500 2000

 

1500 1000

 

1500 1000

1500 1000

0.40 _ Annapolis Mailing Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

0.00 -

3500 3000 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

"ii I I‘ I 0 I I I‘I'I

0-25 ' Quik Stik Packaging Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

,,, iW WW

I l I' '0 I I I I I I n I - I I I .0 I I I I I l I' I I I . I ’0" I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

USPS Packaging Tape backing unaged

 

0.25 ~
$0.15 -
V:
0.05 -
0.005 . I .
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

46

0.25

0.15

Adrorbame

0.10

0.00

0.25

0.20

Ammo:

0.00

0.30

Scotch Clear Box Sealing Tape backing unaged

 

2500

2000

3000

 

3500 1500 1000
Wavenumber
.. 3M Packaging Tape backing unaged
_. WW W
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

- Walgreens High Performance Packaging Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

3500 3000

47

0.24

0.16

Ads-om

0.00

0.45 -

0.30

Admittance

0.00

0.24 _

Target Packaging Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

Illll. I.'IIII‘IIII’"I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Scotch Stretchy Tape backing unaged

 

 

- I -J

I‘M v VVW'VV

I I I I I I I I I I

2000 1500 1000

3500 3000 2500

 

 

Wavenumber
Duck Super EZ Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

48

0.24

0.00

0.25 -

$0.15
V

0.05

0.00

0.24

Scotch Super Strength Packaging Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Office Max Tan Mailing Tape backing unaged

 

PV'I -‘. I' I 0 >AI‘V ' ‘ ‘0’.

3500 3000 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Scotch Tear-by-Hand Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

49

0.24

0.00

0.25

0.05

0.00

0.25

g0.”
V

0.10

0.00

€0.15
V:

Office Max Mailing Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

 

I ’ 0:1." ~ 'I H.931; .I I" .I I". I' 'I --'. .'«',«",;'_,'-'..J.-.:,‘ I

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

U I I I I I I I l f

3500 3000

Office Max Strapping Tape backing unaged

 

l' I 10" I I I‘ l-‘.' I' I I I‘"

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

9

3500 3000

Duck EZ Start Tape backing unaged

 

 

- .I an .‘. ".3; - 1 . I ’ '-.' 'a U. 1 ’3 Ills-"o .W I 1'- 1 ’J ' “.1. ’r‘é'i.’;"-t :Z-IZC‘Isé-{Qliifl‘I 011‘ .‘O I -.7|~,'1,53I«';-- L.’~;a It”. 375'I-"€1-l-:ja€;'§5 -'}'--'I"~'-': 3.424";

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

50

0.45

0.00

0.25

$0.15
V

0.05

0.00

0.25

0.15

AM

0.05

o.-

0.00 4

Scotch Transparent Duct Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Office Depot Strapping Tape backing unaged

 

I. n I a-V 'V 'I7 I "in. I - I' o I. I: ‘ 1““‘3" -

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

3500 3

Quik Tear Packaging Tape backing unaged

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

51

0.25

§OJS
V

0.05

0.00

0.25

0.15

Advaimoc

0.05

0.00

0.25

0.15

AM

0.05

0.00

Scotch Strapping Tape backing unaged

3500

I

3000 2500 2
Wavenumber

Office Works Strapping Tape backing unaged

3500

3000 2500

2000

Office Works Clear Mailing Tape backing unaged

3500

Wavenumber
3000 2500 2000
Wavenumber

52

1500

 

1500 1000

 

1500 1000

 

W

I 07-1" I' 1' .'

l

0.25 ..

€0.15
V

Quik Stik Strapping Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

0.05 —W W
0.00- .. , _ g V A r V.
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber -
O 25 _ Scotch Storage Tape backing unaged
€0.15 _
V
0.05 - W
0.00 dl . t .. . . . I '.. . .l 3,7 . ‘A‘r I"-""i"‘¢».‘~,... V,‘ --I,-.--."i...'. ., 7‘: " ‘I
3500 3 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber ‘
0 25 - SCOtCh Packaging Tape backing unaged

g0.”
Vt:

0.05

0.00

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

53

0.30

0.20

Adsorbamc

0.00

0.30

0.20

Admtbanw

0.00

0.30

0.00

1

3M Transparent Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber
Ace Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber
__ Ace Transparent Tape adhesive unaged

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber

54

0.35

0.20

AW

0.30 -

0.20

AW

0.10

0.45 ~

0.30

AM

Annapolis Clear Tape adhesive unaged

2500 2000
Wavenumber

Annapolis Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

3500

3000

‘ o n ' l ‘

2500 2000

Wavenumber

Big Lots Invisible Value Tape adhesive unaged

3500

3000

I I

2500 2000
Wavenumber

55

 

 

 

1500

1500

1500

 

1000

1000

1000

0.25 ._.

0.15

Advolbm:

0.00

0.40

0.25

Adsmianx

0.10

0.00

0.40 -

§025
V

0.10

0.00

Duck No More Scissors Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

 

.l M

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Duck One Touch Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

I U I l i a ' . I‘V'I '. I a I a 0‘ n

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Elmer’s Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

56

0.35 -

0.20

AM

0.35

0.20

AM

0.10

0.00

0.30

0.20

Adswbanw

0.00

Elmer’s Ultra Clear Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ WW
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
— Highland Transparent Tape adhesive unaged
3500 3000 2 00 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
_. LePage’s Transparent Tape adhesive unaged
3500 3000 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

57

0.30

0.20

Advmlancc

0.10

0.00

-.

0.35 "

0.20

Adsmbana:

0.10

0.00

0.35

0.00

Office Max Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

I a o n I | I7 a .l-ll ‘ 090' I- I I nv'c - 0 l

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Office Works Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Office Works Transparent Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

 

C . 1 n 0 . v n ' n I I

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

3500 3000

58

0.45 -

0.00

0.40 —

0.25

AM

0.10

0.00

0.30

0.20

AM

0.00

Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

WW MM»

. I I I l I ' I I ' I I I I I I I I I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Rite Aid Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

 

Scotch Gift Wrap Tape adhesive unaged

Wavenumber

 

 

M W

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber

 

 

I» I I l I I I I I I I i I» I I I Q I I o I I I I I I I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

59

0.30

0.20

Adam

0.00

0.35

0.05

0.35

0.25

0.15

AW

0.00 e,“

3500

 

Scotch Glossy Tape adhesive unaged

Scotch Magic Tape adhesive unaged

3500

Scotch MultiTask Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

 

W _

3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

 

 

I l ‘ I »I -. 'I

3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

 

 

I I I l I I SI I

3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

60

0.30

0.20

Advorbancc

0.00

0.30

0.00 -

0.30

Scotch Removable Tape adhesive unaged

3500

3000

U I ‘

2500

2000

Wavenumber

Scotch Transparent Tape adhesive unaged

MW

3500

3000

2500

2000

Wavenumber

Target Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

2500

I

2000

Wavenumber

61

 

 

1500

 

 

 

1500

1500

 

1000

1000

1000

0.35

0.20

0.10

Adcon'mw

0.00

0.30 —

0.00

0.45

0.30

Adsorbmw

0.00

Walgreens Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

I IV‘IVI'I I I‘l II

 

 

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber
Walgreens Transparent Tape adhesive unaged

3500 3 2500 2 1500 1000

Wavenumber
.j Work.org Invisible Tape adhesive unaged

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber

62

0.35 -

0.20

Adrmbancc

0.10

0.00

0.45

0.00

0.35

0.20

Adrozbanw

0.10

0.00

3500

3500

3000

3000

3000

Annapolis Mailing Tape adhesive unaged

I

2500

2000

Wavenumber

Quik Stik Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

USPS Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

63

 

 

 

 

 

1500

1500

1500

1000

 

5

1000

1000

0.10

0.06

AM

0.02
0.00

.-

0.3O -

0.00

0.35

g 0.20
V

0.10

0.00

Scotch Clear Box Sealing Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

’, i~‘
".D I I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

3M Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Walgreens High Performance Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

WWW

‘ ‘I I I O I I I I o I

2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

l .. . . I . .'. I

3500 3000

64

0.45

0.00

0.09

0.05

AM

Target Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

I

2500 2
Wavenumber

I“ I I I I I 'I. I I

1500 1000

*‘ Scotch Stretchy Tape adhesive unaged

: l

 

 

 

 

0.02 “ w
0.00 -
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0'35 - Duck Super EZ Tape adhesive unaged
€0.20 3
V V
0.10 —
0.00 -WWM “‘"W 'Wwvuihh'“
3500 3000 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

65

0.10 —

0.06

Adam

0.02

0.35 -

0.20

AM

0.10

0.00

0.16

0.10

AW

-0.02

Scotch Super Strength Packaging Tape adhesive

 

 

 

- WWW ‘
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
Office Max Tan Mailing Tape adhesive unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
— Scotch Tear-by-Hand Tape adhesive unaged
I | _
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

66

0.45

0.30

Adrotbmc

0.00

0.12

0.00

0.35 -

0.20

AM

0.10

0.00

Office Max Mailing Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Office Max Strapping Tape adhesive unaged

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Duck EZ Start Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

67

0.30

0.20

V0.10

0.00

0.16 -

-0.02

0.40 _

0.25

AM

0.10

0.00

Scotch Transparent Duct Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

Idf I ""'U v 0 ‘ I‘I. a r n I.

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

3000

I I u . a I

3500

Office Depot Strapping Tape adhesive

 

II a ‘I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Quik Tear Packaging Tape adhesive

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

68

0.10

0.06

AM

0.02

0.00

0.10 —

0.06

Adsoztmc

0.02

0.00

0.16 —-

0.10

Advabanoc

0.04

0.00

3500

3500

3500

I

 

3000

3000

3000

2500

Scotch Strapping Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2

Wavenumber

Office Works Strapping Tape adhesive unaged

I I

2000

Wavenumber

Office Works Clear Mailing Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

69

1500

1500

1500

1000

1000

1000

 

 

0.18

0.00

0.35 ~

0.20

Adam

0.16 -

-0.02

3500

3500

3500

3000

3000

3000

Quik Stik Strapping Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

Scotch Storage Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

Scotch Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

7O

 

 

 

 

1500

1500

1500

1000

1000

1000

APPENDIX B

Artificially Aged Tape Backing And Adhesive FT-IR Spectra That
Exhibited Changes

71

0.45 -

0.30

Advom

0.15

0.00

0.60

0.00

0.35

0.20

Advorbancc

0.10

0.00

Big Lots Invisible Value Tape backing unaged

 

 

 

 

 

3500 3 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
- Big Lots Invisible Value Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
- Highland Transparent Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

72

0.7 -

0.40

AM

0.10

0.30

0.00

0.25

$0.15
‘C

0.05

0.00

Highland Transparent Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb

 

I I c u I I a n u n I I l c o I o 'I I I I o I I I I a a I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

LePage’s Transparent Tape backing unaged

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

- LePage’s Transparent Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb

 

 

I v I o o l a o o I I I 1 I n I u u I a I

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

3500 3000

73

0.60 -

0.00

0.35

0.20

Advorfmoc

Office Max Invisible Tape backing unaged

 

 

W* WW

 

 

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
Office Max Invisible Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
Office Works Invisible Tape backing unaged
3500 3000 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

74

0.30

0.20

AW

0.00

0.35 —

0.20

AW

0.10

0.00

0.20

0.10

Aden/Mm

0.00

Office Works Invisible Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Office Works Transparent Tape backing unaged

 

 

I . I4. I I I I I I .‘I I. .-

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Office Works Transparent Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

75

0.30

0.00

0.60

0.00

0.45

0.30

Adm/bane:

0.00

Scotch Removable Tape backing unaged

 

 

“.7 .‘.' I I I . l"" IA I" I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

r Scotch Removable Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb

 

I l I l ‘ I l I I I I I I' I I ‘ I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Work.org Invisible Tape backing unaged

 

:W

I I I I I I ’3‘” "I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

76

0.45

0.30

Admrbanw

Work.org Invisible Tape backing aged 40 hrs 100W bulb

 

 

 

 

 

0.00 -
3500 3000 2500 . 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0.45 - . . . .
Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape adhesrve unaged
€0.30 9-
VOJS —.
0.00 — w evv ~~~ v flee—NW4
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0.45 e
- Rite Aid Gift Wrap It Tape adhesive aged 90 hrs 100W bulb
§030 r
V0.15 "
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

77

0.30 -—

 

 

 

 

 

3M Packaging Tape adhesive unaged
$0.20 -
V0.10 —
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0.45 — . .
_. 3M Packaging Tape adhesrve aged 20 hrs 100W bulb
E030 -
000 ._. .w. . ,. I .1 . . I ' .' A. . ‘. .~ I. This» :.-~-‘I-'~* 41- '.-"". .' -. 'I'- -. .. . -I‘ ~. 5.
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0.16 - . .
Office Depot Strapping Tape adhesrve unaged
€0.10 -
V0.04 _
-0~02 ,- .. ,. . . . ... .w. .. .. . . . . .7 . .
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Wavenumber

78

Ads'orbmcc

0.12

0.08

Adsotbanw

0.00

0.45

0.30

Adswbanx

0.00

0.45

0.30

0.15

0.00

Office Depot Strapping Tape adhesive aged 20 hrs 100W bulb

 

 

 

3500 3000 25 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
_ Target Packaging Tape adhesive unaged
— W71 “ ~— W
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

‘ Target Packaging Tape adhesive aged 20 hrs 100W bulb

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

79

0.16

0.10

0.06

Advarbanoc

0.02

-0.02

0.10

0.06

Adsmiancc

0.02

0.00 "

3500

3500

3500

3000

3000

3000

2500

2

Office Works Clear Mailing Tape adhesive unaged

Wavenumber

2500

-l "a

Office Works Clear Mailing Tape adhesive aged 90 hrs UV

2000

Wavenumber

1

Office Works Strapping Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2000

Wavenumber

80

I"'o-'i

1500

1500

1500

1000

1000

1000

 

0-16 ‘ Office Works Strapping Tape adhesive aged 20 hrs UV

E040 -
V -

0.04 —

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

0.10 - Office Works Strapping Tape adhesive aged 90 hrs UV

E l

-0.02 -

 

, . l'

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

0.45 -
Quik Stik Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

0.30 -

 

Advorbmw

 

015 " M
0.00 ..W I
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

81

0.30 —

AW

0.40

0.25

Advmm

0.10

0.00

0.18

0.00

0.20 “

3500

3500

3000

3000

3000

2500

Quik Stik Packaging Tape adhesive aged 50 hrs UV

2000

Wavenumber

l

2500

Quik St—ik Packaging Tape adhesive aged 70 hrs UV

Wavenumber

Quik Stik Strapping Tape adhesive unaged

i

2500

2000

Wavenumber

82

 

 

1500

 

1500

 

 

1500

1000

1000

1000

0.12 _ Quik Stik Strapping Tape adhesive aged 20 hrs UV

 

 

 

 

€0.06- W
V
0.02 *
.. W
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0,10 - Scotch Clear Box Sealing Tape adhesive unaged
Eons -
V 0.02 " WW
ii
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber
0'12 ' Scotch Clear Box Sealing Tape adhesive aged 40 hrs UV
E008 ~
V 0.04 “ J
0.00 ‘ '
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

83

0.20

Advozbanog

0.04

-0.02

0.16 —

-0.02

0.12

0.00

l

3500

3500

3500

3000

3000

3000

D

2500

2

Wavenumber

Scotch Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

2500

2

Wavenumber

Scotch Packaging Tape adhesive aged 90 hrs UV

25

1 '.ti I

2

Wavenumber

84

000

Scotch Clear Box Sealing Tape adhesive aged 90 hrs UV

 

 

1500

1500

1500

1000

1000

 

1000

0.09

0.06

V 0.03

0.00

0.10

0.06

0.02

Am

-0.02

0.10

,0-

Scotch Stretchy Tape adhesive unaged

3500

l

 

3000

I '3. '~.‘.:"

2500 2000
Wavenumber

Scotch Stretchy Tape adhesive aged 90 hrs UV

3500

3000

Wavenumber

Scotch Super Strength Packaging adhesive unaged

3500

3000

2500

L‘I'I n d

2000
Wavenumber

85

2500 2000

1500

1500

1500

1000

 

 

 

w

0.14

0.02

-0.02

0.16

0.10

Adsorbanoc

-0.02

0.16

0.10

Adsorbance

0.04

-0.02

g 0.08
V

l n s o 4‘! I‘c a I o n l ' a": I ‘o IEI I u‘a - u I u I'I fin

Scotch Super Strength Packaging adhesive aged 90 hrs UV

2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

3500 3000

~.'

Scotch Tear-by-Hand adhesive unaged

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Scotch Tear-by-Hand adhesive aged 20 hrs UV

I I I o n n I a n u o I

2500 2 1500 1000
Wavenumber

‘ a o u I

3500 3000

86

Adcozbme

0.12

0.08

Adsvrbmw

0.04

0.00

0.45

0.30

AM

0.00

0.45

0.30

0.15

0.00

Scotch Tear-by-Hand adhesive aged 70 hrs UV

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Target Packaging Tape adhesive unaged

 

 

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

Target Packaging Tape adhesive aged 20 hrs UV

 

 

I o I I I I u a I a I I I I

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

87

 

 

 

0.45 —
Target Packaging Tape adhesive aged 40 hrs UV
€0.30 -
‘1‘. o. 15 -1
0.00 -‘*“‘*""‘"“‘“ fl ’ “5’" f *“T’J ’
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber

 

88

REFERENCES

89

10.

11.

References

Satas, D. Pressure Sensitive Adhesives and Adhesive Products in the Untied
States. In: Handbook of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Technology, 2nd ed., Van
Norstrand Reinhold Co., New York, NY, 1989: 1-23.

Maynard, P., Gates, K., Roux, C., Lennard, C. Adhesive tape analysis:
establishing the evidential value of specific techniques. J Forensic Sci 2001;
46(2): 280-7.

. Kaluhiokalani, K.C. The Development of an FT -IR Spectral Library of Tape

Adhesives. Michigan State University, 2003: 59 pgs.

Sakayanagi, M, Konda, Y., Watanabe, K., Harigaya, Y. Identification of Pressure
— Sensitive Adhesive Polypropylene Tape. J Forensic Sci 2003; 48(1): 68-76.

Landrock, A.H. Adhesive Types and Their Properties and Applications. In:
Adhesives Technology Handbook, Noyles Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985:
126-89.

Snodgrass, H. Duct Tape Analysis as Trace Evicence. Proceedings of the
International Symposium on Trace Evidence, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA, June
1991: 69-73.

Noble, W., Wheals, BB. and Whitehouse, M.J. The Characterisation of
Adhesives by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography and Infrared Spectroscopy.
Forensic Science 1974; 3: 163-74.

Merrill, R.A, Bartick, E.G. Analysis of pressure sensitive adhesive tape: 1.
Evaluation of infrared ATR accessory advances. J Forensic Sci 2000; 45(1): 93-
98.

Keto, R.O. The Characterization of PVC Adhesive Tape. Proceedings from the
International Symposium on the Analysis and Identification of Polymers, FBI
Academy, Quantico, VA, July 1984: 77-85.

Posulsny, M, Daugherty, K.E. Nondestructive Adhesive Analysis on Stamps by
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy 1988; 42(8):
1466-69.

Keto, R.O. Forensic characterization of black polyvinyl chloride electrical tape.
Proceedings from the International Symposium on the Analysis and Identification
of Polymers, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA July 1984: 137-43.

90

12.

l3.

14.

15.

16.

17.

Bartick, E.G., Tungol, M.W., Reffner, J .A. A new approach to forensic analysis
with infrared microscopy: internal reflection spectroscopy. Analytica Chimica
Acta 1994; 288: 35-42. -

Grim, D.M., Siegel, J ., Allison, J. Evaluation of laser desorption mass
spectrometry and UV accelerated aging of dyes on paper as tools for the
evaluation of a questioned document. J Forensic Sci 2002; 47(6): 1265-73.

Grim, D.M., Siegel, J ., Allison, J. Does Ink Age Inside of a Pen Cartridge ? J
Forensic Sci 2002; 47(6): 1294-97.

Ege, S. Infrared Spectroscopy. In: Organic Chemistry, Structure and Reactivity,
3rd ed., D.C. Heath and Company,Lexington, KY; 1994: 376-96.

Pouchert, C.J. Monomers and polymers. In: The Adrich library of FT-IR
Spectra, 2nd ed., Vol. 3. Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee, WI; 1997.

Sadtler Research Laboratories. Monomers and polymers. In: The Sadtler

Standard Spectra, IR grating. Sadtler Research Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA;
1966.

91

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