Forensic Examination and Identification of Writing Inks on Documents

Fatima Fatima

Abstract

Ink analysis plays a significant role in questioned document examination, a discipline of forensic
science. Writing inks based on their chemical substances such as solvents, resins, colorants as dyes
or pigments, may be distinguished by applying two step methodology including non-destructive or
visual examination and destructive or chemical analysis. Both approaches involve identification and
comparison techniques by contributing certain advantages to the investigation such as Thin Layer
Chromatography has been marked for a long time. However, forensic scientists have the availability
of evolutionary methods that led to the use of less destructive techniques including spectroscopy that
minimizes the scope of previous separation techniques. This review paper delivers an outline of
techniques/methods including spectroscopic and chromatographic development with possible
advantages or drawbacks. The acquired results should be evaluated accurately by paying more
consideration as providing reliable findings in the court of law is certainly of central significance.