Accelerated Aging of Tapes Applied to Secure Criminal Contact Traces—Effect on Physio-Mechanical and Safety Behavior

Traces of potential contact from a perpetrator for evidence are one of the most frequently secured groups of evidence during the examination of the crime scene and during the examination of material in forensic laboratories. By far the most common way to secure the above-mentioned traces is the use of swabs. The literature reports indicate promising results from the use of adhesive materials for securing contact marks. The products currently on the market are not dedicated to forensic genetics or cause problems with the recovery of protected DNA at the stage of DNA isolation in the laboratory. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of conditions from an accelerated aging process carried out under simulated laboratory conditions (with aging factors as follows: UV radiation, temperature, and humidity level) on the physico-mechanical properties and chemical resistance of adhesive films made of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). As part of the research, the influence of storage conditions on the physico-mechanical properties and chemical resistance of developed foil materials used to secure forensic traces was developed and verified. The research was carried out in conditions similar to the real ones, conducting tests of accelerated aging with the following factors: temperature, humidity, and UV radiation.