U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Funding & Awards
 The development of objective approach to the characterization and interpretation of paint evidence by SEM/EDS
Award Information
Awardee
              MICROTRACE LLC
Award #
              2017-IJ-CX-0027
Funding Category
              Competitive Discretionary
Location
                    ELGIN, IL
Congressional District
              6
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2017
Total funding (to date)
              $594,920
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY17 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $594,920)
Elemental analysis by energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS) in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) represents a critical component of forensic paint comparisons, which is among the most common analyses performed by trace evidence laboratories. Currently, the elemental analysis of paint by SEM/EDS is well-utilized method by most laboratories conducting forensic paint comparisons.
The approach is currently defined as an ASTM E2809 guide, with the following issues: a) the analytical approach is only loosely constrained with little research and support provided for the selection of key sample preparation methods and analytical parameters; b) the current approach has been criticized by the microanalysis community and the scientific impact of the issues raised are presently unknown due to a lack of foundational research; and c) interpretation of data derived from this guide is presently based upon a subjective evaluation of analytical results.
By taking advantage of advances in SEM/EDS hardware and software, coupled with a carefully selected sample set, these issues can be resolved and used to improve the current best practices by providing tighter constraints on sample preparation approaches, analytical conditions, and, most importantly, developing interpretation methods based upon an objective, reproducible process.
This research is proposed in direct response to shortcomings of the current ASTM guide to the elemental analysis of paint, and all aspects of this research are aimed at providing practical and readily applicable improvements to the current best practices. It is anticipated that the outcome of this research will provide: a) an empirical and theoretical basis for the selection of analytical approach and analytical variables; and b) the first practical quantitative approach elemental comparison of paint samples by SEM/EDS with the potential for increased analytical discrimination by utilizing not only the average elemental composition of the sample but also the shape, size distribution, and composition of fillers and pigment inclusions that are present but currently overlooked in the existing best practice.
The research will present results in a manner that permits a direct comparison to existing best practices, which to date, have not themselves been sufficiently evaluated to determine their own efficacy.
This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law, and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR  200.210(a)(14).
ca/ncf



  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      The Development of An Objective Approach to the Characterization and Interpretation of Paint Evidence by SEM/EDS

  
Date Created: September 30, 2017
    
          Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              Current Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Forthcoming Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Expired Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
    
      
            
            
            
      Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
    
      
            
            
            
      Fellowship & Student Programs
    
      
            
            
            
      Travel Scholarships
    
      
            
            
            
      NIJ Challenge ProgramSimilar Awards
        
                      Quantifying the strength of support in fingerprint casework comparisons
                  Empirical Analysis of Saw Mark Characteristics in Human Bone: Meeting Forensic Standards in Dismemberment Cases
                  Experimental and numerical investigations for the development and validation of thermo-chemistry models and property databases for selected wall lining materials under fire exposure
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov