ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 September 2002
Page Count: 10

3D Measurements on Extrusion Marks in Plastic Bags
De Kinder, J
National Institut voor Criminalistiek en Criminologie (NICC/INCC),

Berx, V
National Institut voor Criminalistiek en Criminologie (NICC/INCC),

(Received 29 April 2002; accepted 15 April 2002)

Abstract

The surface of different types of garbage bags was scanned using non-contact laser profilometry. Manufacturing defects known from visual inspection of the bags (fish eyes, arrowheads, and surface scratches) appear as differences in the height profile. Extrusion lines could only be detected in low-density polyethylene bags. Their correlation length is a couple of centimeters, whereas visually they continue over meters. This can be used to link together the end of one garbage bag with the beginning of the subsequent bag. Extrusion lines are of the order of 0.1 μm for highdensity polyethylene garbage bags.

Keywords:
forensic science, plastic bag examination, profilometry, extrusion lines

Paper ID: JFS15507J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15507J
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