A comparison of conventional microspectrophotometry and hyperspectral imaging for the analysis of blue metallic paint samples

Paint is often encountered as forensic evidence, particularly in cases involving vehicle accidents or property damage. In a forensic context, visual examination and color analysis of paint samples are methods employed early in the analytical sequence. Conventional visible microspectrophotometry, a technique dating back to the 1980s, is a well-documented analytical technique for forensic analysis. Hyperspectral imaging, on the other hand, is a relatively new technique with many potential forensic applications yet to be fully explored. In this pilot study, hyperspectral imaging using the Prism and Reflector Imaging Spectroscopy System (PARISS) and associated software was applied to a range of metallic blue vehicle paint samples, and the results were compared with those obtained using conventional microspectrophotometry. The results suggest that hyperspectral imaging offers significant advantages, particularly for heterogeneous samples such as metallic paint where conventional microspectrophotometry is problematic. The PARISS generated high-quality spectra.