Microtrace Presents at the Midwest Microscopy and Microanalysis Society

The Fall 2019 meeting of the Midwest Microscopy and Microanalysis Society (M3S) will take place today (Friday, 22 November) in Round Lake, IL.  The conference is entitled “An Art and a Science” and will focus on topics in microanalysis.  Microtrace Senior Research Microscopist Christopher Palenik will offer a talk entitled, “Microanalysis in Forensic Paint Investigations.” Dr. Palenik’s  presentation will use case examples to illustrate the probative value of microanalysis for microscopic particles of paint, and discuss current research intended to advance the practice of elemental analysis by SEM/EDS in forensic paint investigations.

For more information about the meeting, please click here.

Abstract

“Microanalysis in Forensic Paint Investigations”
Christopher S Palenik, Microtrace LLC

The analysis of paint for forensic purposes is multifaceted, combining several microanalytical techniques appropriate to the specifics of the investigation. Whether it’s the physical examination of a paint’s layer structure, Raman analysis of a pigment package, infrared spectroscopic characterization of binder chemistry, or an elemental survey to characterize the composition of a paint, modern analytical instrumentation can be used to characterize, compare, or source microscopic particles of paint for forensic purposes. This presentation will discuss case examples that illustrate the probative value of microanalysis for microscopic particles of paint, as well as current research intended to advance the practice of elemental analysis by SEM/EDS in forensic paint investigations.

While SEM/EDS has become commonplace for the analysis of materials and approaches for forensic paint comparisons have been validated, little attention has been given to the implementation and significance of SEM/EDS data in forensic comparisons of paints. Our ongoing research intends to explore and define analytical variables such as sample preparation and acquisition parameters to evaluate their impact on the resulting data. Furthermore, through the analysis of 300 automotive paint samples, we can begin to define compositional ranges of
automotive paint and develop a formalized approach to the interpretation of SEM/EDS data in relation to the probative value of a particular paint composition. This talk will also discuss the implementation of ion milling and EBSD and the potential value that these techniques can provide in the analysis of multi-layered paint samples.

Midwest Microscopy and Microanalysis Society

The Midwest Society of Electron Microscopists (MSEM) was founded in 1957 with Dr. R. G. Picard of Central Scientific Co., Chicago as chairman. It was established by a reorganization of a group from the Illinois State Microscopical Society. MSEM affiliated with the Microscopy Society of America during the chairmanship of Dr. Stanley Weinreb, Marquette University, in 1958. It was incorporated in the state of Illinois in 1986 upon application of MSEM President Stephen D. Barnard, Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals, Indianapolis. In 1996 the society changed its official name to Midwest Microscopy and Microanalysis Society under the chairmanship of Dr. Nestor J. Zaluzec.

The objectives of MMMS are to advance scientific research and discovery through the use of microscopy and microanalysis, to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of scientific problems and to interpret them for the common welfare.

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