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Surface morphology, Raman spectroscopy and chromaticity analysis of Indian automobile paint samples and its forensic application

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Hubballi, Karnataka, India
  • 2Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Hubballi, Karnataka, India
  • 3Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Hubballi, Karnataka, India
  • 4Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Hubballi, Karnataka, India

Res. J. Forensic Sci., Volume 13, Issue (2), Pages 1-10, July,29 (2025)

Abstract

Trace evidence, such as paint flakes, is considered substantial evidence in criminal and road accident investigations. Comparison and identification of paint evidence is considered the most challenging task in forensic analysis. The paint evidence is very often transferred onto the clothing, automobiles, weapons, etc. from the victim as well as the crime scene when there is an impact with automobiles. The present work establishes surface morphology of paint samples using a Raman microscope and vibrational energy shift using a laser Raman spectrometer instrument. Also, the chromaticity of paint samples was analyzed using a microspectrophotometer instrument (MSP), and their chromaticity coordinates (u', v') were mapped to assess color composition and forensic significance. The surface texture of the paint samples exhibits fine granularity with dispersed dark spots, likely corresponding to pigment particles. The Raman spectral analysis of the paint sample suggests a composition primarily consisting of various pigments such as hematite (α-Fe2O3), iron oxide-based pigments, titanium dioxide, etc., and the presence of aromatic compounds, or binder materials. The chromaticity coordinates (u',v') of the analyzed paint samples are concentrated in the yellow-green spectral region, with values ranging approximately from (0.222, 0.530) to (0.312, 0.540). This suggests that the dominant hues are in the yellowish-green to yellow-orange range.

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