NCJ Number
176787
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: July/September 1998 Pages: 231-239
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Several techniques for dating ball point pen inks by means of their extractability in weak solvents have been published over the past 16 years, and this paper describes the application of two techniques, rate of extraction and extent of extraction, to several ball point pen inks to scrutinize the reproducibility and applicability of these techniques to real casework.
Abstract
The age of ball point pen inks was determined using the two techniques, and findings revealed neither technique led to the desired success. Choice of weak solvent and extraction time appeared to be very important in detecting an aging tendency in ball point pen inks. The authors conclude the application of the techniques in forensic casework may be subject to criticism and advise document examiners not to use the techniques in real casework until they have been validated and proven to be reproducible. They compare and discuss the findings and theoretically consider possible causes of ball point pink ink aging. 24 references and 9 figures