PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network

Physical Evidence Manual
17.0 PAINT EVIDENCE
Paints are used as surface coatings for a variety of surfaces such as vehicles,
structures, and appliances. Many crimes, such as burglaries, hit and run vehicle
investigations, and others involve forceful activities that can result in the transfer
of paint from the original source to another place, person, or thing. Paints contain
a multitude of components, many of which may be detected in very small
samples such as those encountered as evidence. Analysis and comparison of
paint samples can be successful even when they are extremely small in size.
Paint examinations can determine:
• Whether evidence paint sample(s) are similar to a paint standard
• The type of paint (vehicle, architectural, etc.)
• Possible make and model of a vehicle by using Paint Data Query (PDQ), a
computerized database
Collecting and Packaging Paint Evidence
Be extremely careful collecting, packaging, and marking small paint chips. Small
samples can be retrieved with forceps or tweezers and placed into a small
paperfold or into a glassine envelope. If using a glassine envelope, take care in
sealing the corners with tape to prevent loss of sample.
• Do not lift or stick small paint particles onto adhesive tape. It is sometimes
not possible to remove small particles from tape adhesive.
• Do not place small paint particles in a paper envelope unless protected in
a paperfold.
When paint is smeared onto large or immovable objects, the paint should be
scraped in such a manner as to collect as much of the smear as possible. These
scrapings should be collected in a paperfold and properly labeled.
In a situation where paint is smeared onto smaller or moveable objects e.g.,
prying tools, protect the smear by loosely applying a cover and placing the entire
object into an appropriate container.
Collection of Standards
If the object believed to be the source of the paint can be transported, submit the
entire object to the laboratory.
For objects or vehicles that are not easily submitted to the laboratory, collect
standards from an area as close to the damage as possible. If a damaged
vehicle is suspect, collect the paint standard from the edges of all damaged
Adopted: May 2002
Revisions: 6
Last Revision: January 31, 2008
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