PAINT CHIPS
| Collection of Standards | Evidence Officer Procedures | Disposal |
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, several 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
IMPOUNDING OFFICER PROCEDURE
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. Small particles then have to be removed (if possible), cleaned, and prepared for analysis.
Do not place small paint particles in a paper envelope unless protected in a paperfold.
Be sure to use a clean knife, new razor or scalpel for each sample to prevent contamination.
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, protect the smear by loosely applying a cover and placing the entire object into an appropriate container.
Don’t attempt to remove paint from clothing. Package the clothing in paper bags after drying thoroughly.
If you are seizing a tool, and if trace evidence is likely to be present, enclose the end of the tool containing the material in a plastic envelope and secure with tape to prevent loss. The tool may also have deposited paint onto the surface being attacked.
Keep all samples collected in separate containers. Don’t put paint directly in paper envelopes. Fold and seal in sheets of white paper first to prevent loss.
Complete the Forensic Services Request form and place in basket in the Evidence Processing Room.
Ensure that all evidence to be submitted for Forensic Testing is sealed with evidence tape, or heat-sealed, then initialed and dated over the seam.
Complete the property-evidence report.
Place the properly packaged property into an evidence locker. Note the location on the property-evidence report.
Place the yellow and green copy of the property-evidence report in the property-evidence basket in the Evidence Processing Room.
If the object believed to be the source of the paint could 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 areas. This is true for structural and appliance paint as well.
Use a clean razor blade, scalpel, or knife to carve or chip the paint from the surface down to the foundation/substrate instead of scraping it off. This ensures that all layers of paint are collected, including any primer material. Remove paint from each damaged area in the same manner. Remember that the hood, trunk, roof, and fenders of vehicles may not be painted with the same paint.
Package paint standards in paperfolds and paper envelopes, carefully sealing to prevent loss. The paint standards must never be packaged together with evidence samples. This could allow cross contamination to occur.
STORAGE:
Ensure proper packaging; refer to example board in the evidence processing areas.
Place one barcode on the item and the corresponding barcode on the property receipt.
Place the item in a location best suited to the size of the item, see the evidence room guide.
Using the barcode reader, scan the location of the shelf and then scan the barcode that is affixed to the item.
Place the item in numerical order by case number.
Upon authorization or disposition of the case, see ‘General Disposition of Items.'
Revised 11/05/03