Is Forensic Paint Analysis Affected by Environmentally Friendly Products?

The forensic comparison of paint often provides key evidence in crime scene investigations. Paint analysis involves using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to compare the chemical makeup of different chips of paint. Environmentally friendly paints are becoming more common in homes. This study was conducted to determine if the brand ECOS Paints, which absorbs potentially harmful compounds from the air, changes its chemical makeup over time. ECOS Paints claims that its products are uniquely formulated without the harsh chemicals that can be found in other paint brands. The company claims that its paints have a molecular sieve designed to stop harmful compounds from being released into the air (Air Pure Learn). Four paints were chosen from ECOS Paints, the air-purifying primer, air-purifying drywall primer, anti-formaldehyde paint, and the air-purifying paint. The paint was applied to wood sticks in two coats and every two weeks the paint was analyzed using ATR-FTIR to determine if there was a change in the chemical makeup. Data analysis showed that there is a significant change in the chemical makeup over time across the four paints. Forensic scientists need to be aware of this change due to how it can affect their analysis of unknown paint samples.