SCENE

When solving a crime comes down to something as small as determining if a fleck of paint could have come from a crime scene, it’s on a forensic lab analyst to make sure there is no room for doubt. When conducting a paint analysis in a forensic lab, the analyst starts by comparing two paint samples under a microscope, noting color, layer structure, texture, and more—then going much, much further.

“You use specialized equipment to determine the inorganic composition of those paints for each layer,” says Patricia Eddings, distinguished senior lecturer in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “Then you take the same piece to determine the organic components. You’re going to drill down to seven layers or more, and if the qualities are consistent, I can say I’m pretty confident it came from that source.”

What it comes down to, says Eddings, who worked in the field for more than 40 years, is collecting as much accurate information as possible. In forensic science, the ability to collect that information is changing all the time.

“Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how our field has been able to do things better and better, and a huge part of it is making sure people working in the field are properly trained,” she says. “It’s a big responsibility to make sure people do things the right way.”

Eddings shares her passion for excellence with students pursuing the Forensic Applications of Science and Technology minor at UTA. An important part of the curriculum is lab work, where students gain experience working on things like analysis of fingerprints, hair, fiber, DNA, and more.