Journal Published Online: 01 January 1993
Volume 38, Issue 1

The pH Pen—A Means of Comparing Paper Products

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Printers may use a pH pen to test the alkaline/acid content of paper stock to determine if it will be compatible with a given formulation of printing ink. Questioned-document examiners may find the pH pen useful as an additional discriminator when attempting to determine if two paper products (known and questioned) could have originated from a common source. A total of 68 different fine white paper products were compared. From a total of 2278 possible pairs (questioned and known), all but six pairs were discriminated by a combination of physical characteristics, fluorescence under UV light, and the pH pen.

Author Information

Blackledge, RD
Naval Investigative Service Regional Forensic Laboratory, San Diego, California
Gernandt, MN
Naval Investigative Service Regional Forensic Laboratory, San Diego, California
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JFS13385J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13385J