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OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Discrimination studies on electrical tape

Keyword(s): forensic science, trace evidence, pressure sensitive tape, discrimination studies

Submitting subcommittee(s): Trace Materials Date Approved: 02/24/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

ASTM E3085-17 Standard Guide for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations is an 

existing standard. Planned and in development standards are Standard Guide for Forensic Examination and 

Comparison of Pressure Sensitive Tapes, Standard Guide for Assessing Physical Characteristics in Forensic Tape 

Examinations, Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/X-ray Spectrometry in Forensic Polymer 

Examinations, Standard Guide for Using X-ray Fluorescence in Forensic Polymer Examinations, and Standard Guide for 

Using PGC-MS in Forensic Polymer Examinations. These documents were developed using data from the same 

sample set of now-dated electrical tapes. It is unknown how changes in the manufacturing processes of electrical 

tapes have affected the discrimination powers of the techniques in the above standards.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No. 

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

Martinez-Lopez, C., Trejos, T., Mehltretter, A. H., & Almirall, J. R. (2017). Elemental analysis and characterization of 

electrical tape backings by LA-ICP-MS. Forensic Chemistry, 4, 96-107.

Prusinowski, M., Mehltretter, A., Martinez-Lopez, C., Almirall, J., & Trejos, T. (2019). Assessment of the utility of X-ray 

Fluorescence for the chemical characterization and comparison of black electrical tape backings. Forensic Chemistry, 

13, 100146.

Goodpaster, J. V., Sturdevant, A. B., Andrews, K. L., Briley, E. M., & Brun-Conti, L. (2009). Identification and 

comparison of electrical tapes using instrumental and statistical techniques: II. Organic composition of the tape 

backing and adhesive. Journal of forensic sciences, 54(2), 328-338.
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Goodpaster, J. V., Sturdevant, A. B., Andrews, K. L., & Brun-Conti, L. (2007). Identification and comparison of electrical 

tapes using instrumental and statistical techniques: I. Microscopic surface texture and elemental composition. Journal 

of forensic sciences, 52(3), 610-629.

Brooks, E., Mehltretter, A., Prusinowski, M., & Trejos, T. (2020). Optimization and evaluation of spectral comparisons 

of electrical tape backings by X-ray fluorescence. Forensic Chemistry, 21, 100291.

Martinez-Lopez, C., Trejos, T., Coulson, S., Goodpaster, J., Igowsky, K., Kuczelinis, F., ... & Almirall, J. R. (2019). 

Interlaboratory evaluations of the performance of elemental analytical methods for the forensic analysis and 

comparisons of electrical tapes. Forensic Chemistry, 12, 66-77.

Mehltretter, A. H., Bradley, M. J., & Wright, D. M. (2011). Analysis and discrimination of electrical tapes: Part I. 

Adhesives. Journal of forensic sciences, 56(1), 82-94.

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

The manufacturing processes of pressure sensitive tapes, including electrical tapes, is ever changing. Changes in 

customer demands, manufacturing processes, and costs of various supplies, can affect the results of analytical 

techniques. The majority of the current research on the evaluation, comparison, and discrimination of electrical tapes 

using observed features is from the same collection of electrical tapes. Additional research on a new and more 

current sample set of electrical tapes will improve an understanding of the proposed analytical techniques to 

discriminate electrical tapes.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

The subcommittee would benefit from the research in two primary ways: 1) Research leading to the refinement or 

improvements of existing standards; 2) provide practitioners with sound guidance on how to qualify association types 

in the context of comparative examinations. Both ways are critical during the revisions of current and in-development 

standard documents.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Trace evidence examiners will be in a better position to characterize, discuss limitations, and interpret electrical tapes 

given that research on their properties is potentially outdated. 
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8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV):

III Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.