The Scanning Electron Microscope is highly valuable in detecting material from a paint due to its ability to generate different signals from a surface. It uses electron technology where a beam that contains high energy electrons is focused on the solid surface. The signs reveal not only the type of the material but also the chemical composition, texture, and crystalline structure. Sue to this characteristic, SEM has become one of the most crucial tools in forensics (Swapp, n.d). In addition to providing a material type, the microscope can also be used to gather evidence.
The SEM can be used to analyse paint and come up with different conclusions. Paint thickness, layer, and colour can be obtained. During forensic analysis, one may notice a missing layer of paint which may be retrieved once the SEM is used. Furthermore, the number of paint layers can be readily determined using the microscope. The microscope can also detect the substance on the top coat, whether it is a surface treatment or other embedded environmental materials such as hair and fibre (Maehly & Stromberg, 2012). Evidence collected from the paint can be used to evaluate vehicle accidents, property damage through analysis of architectural painting, and assaults through evaluation of decorative paint.
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Evidence obtained from a paint sample is usually considered as an individual characteristic. Since the data is based on colour, many layers and the thickness of the layer one can easily prove the uniqueness of the paint (Forensic Science: An Evolving World, 2009). For instance, the colour of paint differ from one car to another, so does the layering and the paint thickness.
Conclusion
Paint contains layers of binders, lacquers, enamel, pigments, and extenders only to mention a few. SEM technology has refined forensic work such that details get analysed. Evidence can be easily obtained even those that have been destroyed either through repainting or additional of a coating layer.
References
Forensic Science: An Evolving World. (2009). Class v. Individual Characteristics. Retrieved April 17, 2017 from, http://forensicsicence.blogspot.co.ke/2009/03/class-v-individual- characteristics.html
Maehly, A & Stromberg, L. (2012). Chemical Criminalistics. Gewerbestrasse: Springer International Publishing AG
Swapp, S. (n.d). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Geochemical Instrumentation and Analysis. Retrieved April 17, 2017 from, http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/geochemsheets/techniques/SEM.html
