Colorants and polymers are known to us from everyday life. All plastic materials we know are composed of polymers, and most of them are also colored.
All the fabrics we are familiar with are polymers (natural or synthetic). One could say that we are surrounded by polymers in everyday life.
A polymer is a giant molecule composed of identical units which repeat themselves and thus form the polymer material. All colorants or paints that we know are polymers containing pigments or dyes which give them their color.
The Institute of Forensic Science carries out examinations for analysis and comparison as well as examinations for defects detection in colorants and polymers:
- Analysis of polymers and colorants – It is possible to carry out a simple analysis of the main material component as well complex analysis of the polymer’s or colorant’s components. Analysis is important in criminal cases, in the area of consumer goods and the reliability of products, in the areas of damages and health and in every situation polymers and paints are involved.
- Comparison of colorants (paints) and polymers – Comparison is important in the areas of criminal cases, traffic accidents and the quality of products and their adaptation to standards. In cases of damages and health, in the area of intellectual property as well as in cases of disputes involving paints and polymers.
- Fracture analysis of polymers – In cases of failure tests, the direct reasons as well as the indirect causes for the emergence of defects in any product are examined. This issue is of much importance for the investigation of traffic accidents, for claims of damages, for insurance and liability claims, safety investigations, product quality and investigations following medical activities (malpractice).