Abstract

The “Pepsi® Tamperings” of 1993 resulted in a large number of cases involving foreign objects reportedly found inside canned soft drinks. Although the majority of cases involved medical syringes and metallic objects, one case involved the report of a mouse found inside a can of Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi. Using light and polarized light microscopy and computer-assisted image analysis, trace evidence and tooth structure from the suspect mouse were matched to scratches and indentions on the suspect can. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis were used to compare and match particles of gnawed metal from the lid of the suspect can to other particles recovered from the muzzle and stomach of the suspect mouse. The forensic analyses in this case proved the mouse could not have been canned in the soft drink product and refuted the defendant's sworn statements.

References

1.
1983 Federal Anti Tampering Act, Title 18, USC Section 1365.
2.
Fines Enhancement Statutes of 1985, Title 18, USC Section 3571.
3.
Heitkemper
D T
,
Platek
S F
, and
Wolnik
K A
.
Elemental and microscopic analysis in the 1993 soft drink/syringe product tampering incidents
.
J Forensic Sci
1995
;
40
(
4
):
652
-
7
.
4.
Wolnik
K A
,
Fricke
F L
,
Bonnin
E
,
Gaston
C M
,
Satzger
R D
.
The Tylenol® tampering incident—tracing the source
.
Anal Chem
1984
;
56
(
3
):
466A
-
74A
.
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.