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                            Funding & Awards
 Statistical Evaluation of Torn Duct Tape
Award Information
Awardee
              The Regents of the University of California
Award #
              2009-DN-BX-K235
Funding Category
              Competitive
Location
                    Davis, CA
Awardee County
              Yolo
Congressional District
              3
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2009
Total funding (to date)
              $154,300
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY 09 Fundamental Research to Improve Understanding of the Accuracy, Reliability, and Measurement Validity of Forensic Science Disciplines
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $154,300)
This study will attempt to obtain statistical inferences on the uniqueness of duct tape that has been torn and on the subsequent attempt to match it to the tear. Duct tape is frequently used in crimes of violence and has a significant evidentiary value when torn ends left at the scene are physically matched to the torn end on a roll of duct tape that may be recovered from a suspect. However, a review of the literature on physical matching illustrates that when the final determination is made, the only statement that exists is that the tape physically matches. There is neither supporting statistical data nor are there any objective criteria as to what constitutes a match or its associated error rate. This study will compare approximately 1,000 duct tape tears and if time permits additional duct tape cuts made by scissors. These comparisons will be made by graduate student researchers. This proposed study will provide error rates and attempt to develop objective criteria for the physical matching of duct tape samples. ca/ncf



  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      Quantitative Analysis of Torn and Cut Duct Tape Physical End Matching
                  Statistical Evaluation of Torn and Cut Duct Tape Physical End Matching

  
Date Created: September 22, 2009
    
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