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Updated: Dec 2, 2025

An Inverse Analysis Approach to the Characterization of Chemical Transport in Paints
Published on: August 29, 2014
Untargeted SPME-GC-MS Characterization of VOCs Released from Spray Paint
Mitchell Tiessen1, Naomi L Stock2, Theresa Stotesbury1,3
1Forensic Science Undergraduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada.
Abstract:
Paints are a common form of physical evidence encountered at crime scenes. This research presents an optimized method for the untargeted analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spray paint using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). The presence and persistence of VOCs were monitored in 30 minute intervals, over a 4 hour period, in a triplicate time study. As predicted, spray paint solvents are lost to the environment readily, whereas few VOCs remained present in the headspace in low concentrations beyond 4 hours. The VOCs that were observed to have the highest persistence in the headspace were aromatic compounds and those with longer hydrocarbon chains. We present this study in a forensic science context and suggest that the interpretation of the results may be useful for forensic applications in establishing a time since deposition of a spray-painted surface.
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