FIS 201 Paint and Glass – Course Material Overview and
Study Notes
Sherwin Williams makes water-based latex paint in a number of different finishes (levels of
shininess) matte, satin, semi-gloss, and glossy. If you compare two paints of the same color, but
different finishes, which paint component will be chemically different? - ANS✔✔ The modifier
In the image below, which type of paint evidence has been transferred onto the red car? -
ANS✔✔ Smears
The racist graffiti shown below was found spray-painted on the outside of a greenhouse in
Andersonville, VT.
If investigators want to determine which spray-paint was used, which sort of reference sample
would be most useful? - ANS✔✔ A selection of gold spray paints from local stores.
Both Layer comparison and physical match can be performed with which type(s) of paint
evidence: - ANS✔✔ Chips
A robbery took place at a convenience store that had recently repainted. The suspect was
wearing the shorts shown below. What would be the easiest way to associate the shorts (and
their owner) with the crime scene? - ANS✔✔ Compare color with a
spectrophotometer/colorimeter
An analyst is comparing evidence from a hit & run automotive accident. The top (red) infrared
spectrum is from the primer coat in evidence collected from the victim. The bottom (blue)
infrared spectrum is from a suspect vehicle.
Based on what you've learned about the spectrophotometer in trace evidence, what is your
conclusion? - ANS✔✔ The scene evidence did not come from the suspect car, but it did come
from one with a similar paint chemistry.
Study Notes
Sherwin Williams makes water-based latex paint in a number of different finishes (levels of
shininess) matte, satin, semi-gloss, and glossy. If you compare two paints of the same color, but
different finishes, which paint component will be chemically different? - ANS✔✔ The modifier
In the image below, which type of paint evidence has been transferred onto the red car? -
ANS✔✔ Smears
The racist graffiti shown below was found spray-painted on the outside of a greenhouse in
Andersonville, VT.
If investigators want to determine which spray-paint was used, which sort of reference sample
would be most useful? - ANS✔✔ A selection of gold spray paints from local stores.
Both Layer comparison and physical match can be performed with which type(s) of paint
evidence: - ANS✔✔ Chips
A robbery took place at a convenience store that had recently repainted. The suspect was
wearing the shorts shown below. What would be the easiest way to associate the shorts (and
their owner) with the crime scene? - ANS✔✔ Compare color with a
spectrophotometer/colorimeter
An analyst is comparing evidence from a hit & run automotive accident. The top (red) infrared
spectrum is from the primer coat in evidence collected from the victim. The bottom (blue)
infrared spectrum is from a suspect vehicle.
Based on what you've learned about the spectrophotometer in trace evidence, what is your
conclusion? - ANS✔✔ The scene evidence did not come from the suspect car, but it did come
from one with a similar paint chemistry.
