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OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Discrimination and evidential value of architectural and maintenance paints

Keyword(s): forensic science, trace evidence, paint, discrimination studies

Submitting subcommittee(s): (Trace) Materials Date Approved: 02/24/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Different standard documents (e.g., ASTM E1610-18 Standard Guide for Forensic Paint Analysis and Comparison, 

ASTM WK57479, and Revision of ASTM E2809-13 Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/X-Ray 

Spectrometry in Forensic Paint Examinations) cover the analysis of paint specimens. One of the current gaps related 

to these documents is current available knowledge about the ability of these methods to differentiate modern coating 

systems of non-automotive sources (i.e., architectural and maintenance). 

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No. All previous studies are (relatively) outdated.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

Buzzini, P., Massonnet, G., Birrer, S., Egli, N. M., Mazzella, W., & Fortini, A. (2005). Survey of crowbar and household 

paints in burglary cases—population studies, transfer and interpretation. Forensic science international, 152(2-3), 

221-234.

Castle D.A., Curry C.J., Russell L.W., A survey of case-openers, Forensic Sci. Int. 1984, 24, 285–294.

Dolak E., Weimer R., The physical and chemical characterization of multipurpose architectural paint, J. Am. Soc. Trace 

Evid. Exam. 2015, 6, 21–45.

Krausher C.D.J., Characteristics of aerosol paint transfer and dispersal, Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. J., 1994, 17, 125–142.

Lambert D., Muehlethaler C., Esseiva P., Massonnet G. Combining spectroscopic data in the forensic analysis of paint: 

Application of a multiblock technique as chemometric tool. Forensic Science International 2016, 263, 39-47.
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Ryland S.G., Infrared microspectroscopy of forensic paint evidence, in: Humecki H.J. (Ed.), Practical Guide to Infrared 

Microspectroscopy, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 1995, 177–258.

Wright D., Bradley M.J., Mehltretter A.H. Analysis and discrimination of single-layer white architectural paint samples. 

Journal of Forensic Sciences 2013, 58(2), 358-364.

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Information gathered from this research is expected to help trace evidence examiners gaining knowledge on potential 

changes of physical and chemical properties (i.e., composition) of modern coating products, knowledge about new 

trends in the current market, information about the most discriminating features that can be collected from paint 

specimens and used during comparative examinations, and behavior of the studied materials to transfer and persist .

Other relevant aspects may be the use of analytical information for investigative purposes (i.e., investigative leads or 

case linkage).

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

The subcommittee would benefit from the research in two primary ways: 1) Research leading to a) the development 

of new approaches for characterization, b) the refinement or improvements of existing ones, or c) a deeper 

understanding on how various methods can be applied within an analytical sequence; 2) provide practitioners with 

sound guidance on how to qualify association types in the context of comparative examinations. Both ways are critical 

during the revisions of current standard documents.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Trace evidence examiners will be in a better position to characterize, discuss limitations, and interpret paint systems 

that are widely occurring in our environments given that research on their properties is currently inexistent or 

outdated. 

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): I Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III
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Existing current 

research is being 

conducted

II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.