Forensic Analysis of Paint, Soil, Glass, Hairs, and Fibers

Flashcards covering key concepts in forensic analysis of paint, soil, glass, hairs, and fibers.

What are the three main components of paint?

Binder, pigment, and vehicle.

What is the purpose of the binder in paint?

Allows paint to be distributed across a surface.

What are the four major categories of paint?

Architectural, Product Coatings, Special-Purpose, and Art.

What is a key method used to analyze the components of paint layers?

Infrared Microspectrophotometry.

Which method provides evidence of soil composition for forensic geology?

SEM/EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy).

What are the physical properties of soil that are analyzed?

Particle size, particle distribution, color, mineral identification.

How is glass manufactured to avoid crystallizing?

By melting sand and other ingredients, then cooling.

What indicates a fracture match in glass analysis?

Broken edges of glass pieces fitting together.

What is the Becke Line Method used for in glass analysis?

To determine the refractive index and match glass samples.

What are the characteristics of fibers used in fabric?

Crimp, color, cross-section, diameter.

How can the identity of a hair be determined as human or non-human?

By examining microscopic characteristics such as scale patterns and medullary index.

What are the three main ancestral groups used for estimating ancestry from hair?

Europeans, Africans, and Asians.

What is the significance of hair tips in forensic analysis?

They provide information on treatment, such as cutting or bleaching.

What are the limitations of determining age and sex from hair samples?

Age and sex cannot be determined from hair.

What is the typical conclusion from a comparison of known and unknown hair samples?

Association, exclusion, or no conclusion.