title: Discriminating red spray paints by optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence.
abstract: Red spray paints from different European suppliers were characterised to determine the discriminating power of a sequence of analysing techniques. A total of 51 red spray paints were analysed with the help of three techniques: (1) optical microscopy, (2) Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and (3) X-ray fluorescence. Infrared spectra were classified according to binder type, filler and pigment composition and a searchable spectral library was created. Due to the difference in the elemental composition of spray paints, a further discrimination was possible. The microscopic analysis was not taken into consideration for classification purposes. The structure of the substrate under a paint coating strongly affects the surface characteristics of this spray paint. Together with the spectral library, a database of information of spray paints was build.
authors.affiliation: NICC, National Institute of Forensic Science, Vilvoordsesteenweg 98/100, 1120 Brussels, Belgium. filip.govaert@just.fgov.be
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Govaert
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernard