Two complementary approaches to the full identification of automobile paints

Pyrolysis/gas chromatography (Py-GC) and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX) are two commonly used methods for the identification of automobile paints. Some modifications were made on the conventional Py-GC to improve its discriminating power. Twelve exemplar samples of similar white remedy paint chip were unambiguously differentiated using this method. To further enhance the evidential value of automobile paints, nondestructive and convenient SEM/EDX is recommended whenever needed