While not impossible to explain, i've often wondered why it is that no matching duct tape was found in the home.
from what i understand, there are some indications that one end of the cord was melted, indicating it may have been a new roll of cord that was used in this crime.
however, i havent seen any evidence that suggests the tape was a new roll. when most people purchase these items, its because they have a use in mind for them. considering this roll was in the home, logic suggests it was intended for use in the home. otherwise, it wouldve been on the plane, or boat, etc.
evidence suggests that the ramseys were not sophisticated criminals, so i do not buy into any theories of them using tape off of a doll, back of a portrait, etc. for those same reasons, i dont see them going back and removing duct tape from places it had already been used in the home.
of course, that night, it may have started as a new roll, but the piece put over jbr's mouth was not the first piece removed from the roll, and any previous piece(s) was discarded with the cord, missing tablet pages, etc.
looking back, it seems like finding evidence of previous use in the home wouldve been good evidence against the ramseys, and something that i wouldve expected to find. of course, just as good, wouldve been the gathering of financial records in the beginning, and getting to McGuckins(sp) hardware before the security footage was erased... whether that was for the cord or tape.