Characterization and Comparison of Automobile Paint Flakes as the Forensic Evidence.

Automotive paint flakes are significant for the forensic scientists to use as the evidence for forensic purposes. Conducting the multichannel and scientific characterization and comparison of them is in urgent need to draw objective and fair conclusions, demonstrating the fair and equitable administration of justice. With the help of infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) and stereomicroscopy, the properties of three paint flakes from automobiles at the scene of the accident have been studied for forensic purposes in this paper. Primary discussion is progressed according to the stereomicroscope and SEM images, while the in-depth conclusion is proved by the component analysis acquired with EDS, IR and Raman. Furthermore, colors, thickness, sequence, microstructure and composition of layers provide much significant information. The third layers of all the samples show the significant changes clearly, indicating that sample C is different from samples A and B. However, the first, second and fourth layers give rise to consistent analysis profiles. The results of this study provide the significant fundamental information which can be used to analyze the paint flakes for forensic scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]