We have performed both experimental and theoretical studies with the clover detectors. Gamma-rays from standard radioactive sources and the beta decay of a radioactive 11Be beam have been used to investigate the response of seven escape suppressed TIGRESS detectors up to an energy of 8 MeV. Measurements of absolute efficiency, addback factor, fold distribution, peak-to-total ratio and ratio of escape peak area to full energy peak area have been performed. Comparisons have been made between TIGRESS and similar composite detectors. We have also performed comparison of background characteristics...