ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 October 1976
Page Count: 6

The Parameters of Ballpen Ink Examinations
Cantu, AA
Criminalists, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,

Crown, DA
Criminalist,

Brunelle, RL
Criminalists, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,

(Received 13 February 1976; accepted 19 March 1976)

Abstract

Prior to about 1950, the inks encountered on questioned documents were usually fluid inks of the washable dyestuff or iron gallotannate varieties. Analysis of these inks included observation under various wavelengths of light ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR), photography with selected filters, and chemical spot tests to detect metals such as iron, vanadium, and chromium. Since about 1953, the ballpen has taken over the position formerly occupied by the fluid ink pen.

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Paper ID: JFS10577J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10577J
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