| Body fillers and spot putties are sometimes encountered with paint evidence from hit-and-run accidents in forensic casework. It is a challenge for the forensic scientist to attempt to classify and compare the body fillers since no research has been published on the subject since 1986 when Walsh, et al. compared body fillers in New Zealand.; The objective of this study was to determine if chemical and physical differences in body fillers from various manufacturers existed and could be identified. A Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One FTIR Spectrometer, a stereoscope and a Hewlett Packard 5890 Series II Gas Chromatograph were used to analyze the body filler and spot putty samples. The results of this study are of significant value because they will provide useful data for trace evidence examiners when examining body fillers.; Extensive research was done to obtain a complete sample of light-weight automobile body fillers and spot putties used in the United States. After all the samples were identified, thirty-three were obtained. Twenty-four of the samples were body fillers and nine were spot putties. Nine different companies were identified as the manufacturers of these 33 samples. |
