Analytical Sciences

Forensic Identification of Automobile Window Glass Manufacturers in Japan Based on the Refractive Index, X-ray Fluorescence, and X-ray Absorption Fine Structure

Atsushi FUNATSUKI,*1 Masaki TAKAOKA,*2,*3 Kenji SHIOTA,*2 Daisuke KOKUBU,*1 and Yasuhiro SUZUKI*4

*1 Forensic Science Laboratory, Mie Prefectural Police H. Q., 1-100 Sakaemachi, Tsu, Mie 514-8514, Japan
*2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
*3 Department of Global Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
*4 National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan

In this study, 3 automobile window glass manufacturers were identified based on refractive index, XRF, and XAFS analyses. The samples were classified into the corresponding groups using XRF, which should be the first step for identification. Samples having different manufacturing times showed differences in the refractive index. Based on XAFS, the amplitude of the EXAFS spectra and the intensities of Fourier transforms differed between manufacturers. In the scheme for manufacturer identification proposed in this study, performing XRF and refractive index studies is the first step. The concentrations of CeO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, and K₂O allowed us to distinguish among manufacturers. Secondly, for samples containing cerium, we discriminated between manufacturer based on the amplitude of the EXAFS spectra and the intensities of Fourier transforms. As a result, the manufacturers of the 75 samples used in this study were multilaterally identified.

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