Examination of paint materials and coatings
Examination of paint coatings, paint particles and traces of paint materials on clothing, vehicles, items, tools and surfaces.
Forensic examination of coatings considers paint particles, layers and transfer traces. It differs from assessment of the quality of painting work and does not automatically identify a particular item from colour alone.
Subject of examination
- Paint coating particles
- Multilayer coatings and deposited traces
- Comparison samples from the suspected objects
Sample questions for the expert
- Are the particles found paint material or coating?
- What structural features and properties are identified during examination?
- Do the particles and samples share significant features?
- Are the data sufficient for a finding of coating transfer between objects?
The final questions are formulated according to the objects and circumstances of the particular task.
What to prepare
- Separately packaged items and particles
- Photographs of the places of discovery and suspected contact
- Information about repairs, repainting and effects on the coating
- Comparison specimens with documented provenance
How the examination is conducted
Available features of the layers, structure and material are examined. Comparison takes account of coating heterogeneity, repair layers and sampling conditions. The instrumental methods required are determined after assessing the task.
Scope and limitations
Similarity in colour does not, by itself, individualize the object. Sampling on your own may damage a layer and deprive a particle of significant features; sampling procedures are agreed in advance.
What the deliverable records
The findings show the established properties and comparison results, including the grounds and limitations for a possible common classification.
Cost and terms
from 80 000 ₽. The final price and timeframe are recorded in the order before payment.
Resources on the subject
Why a map of coating areas is needed for comparison
The coating on a single item may differ between adjacent areas because of repairs, wear, earlier painting or a local effect. A comparison sample must therefore have a documented link to the location from which it was obtained. Stating only the vehicle make or the generic name of the painted part is insufficient to verify the sample's provenance.
It is useful to mark the suspected contact area, damage, nearby preserved coating and known repaired areas on photographs and a diagram. If several particles are submitted, each retains its own identifier. Information about previous repairs and changes to the paintwork helps explain why different comparison fragments from one item may have different structures.
Which questions concern different stages
- Is the material found a coating particle, and which available features have been preserved?
- What similarities and differences have been established by comparing layers and properties?
- Can the differences be explained by heterogeneity or alterations of the item being compared?
- What are the grounds and limitations for a finding of a possible common source?
Layer thickness or colour does not replace the full set of features. Comparability of the parts examined also matters: a surface transfer trace and a fragment containing several layers may preserve different information. Do not alter a particle, separate layers or clean a damaged area yourself before the examination has been agreed. The result under review must make clear which areas and fragments were compared and why the finding applies specifically to them.
Send a description of the objects and materials
You can send photographs of the objects, a ruling, court order, opinion for review, draft questions and information about packaging and comparison samples.
- fibres, fabrics, threads, clothing, upholstery;
- paint materials and coatings;
- microparticles and contact traces;
- vehicle paintwork and road accident traces;
- report review and questions for court.