A Novel Approach in the Characterization of Writing Inks using Fluorescence Microscopy and ImageJ

Abstract

Ink analyses play a vital role in forensic investigation of cases in which the identification of legal, financial document is essential. The aim of the present study was to categorize the writing inks of different brands and colours on the basis of their fluorescence using Fluorescence Microscope. 125 ink samples of blue, black and red colour of both gel and ballpoint variety were taken for the study. The inks were also aged under different set of storage conditions and then the variation in their fluorescence was observed. The results from this study highlight the suitability of using Fluorescence Microscope as an appropriate technique for the characterization of writing inks. The results from the analysis offer a significant benefit in that it enables information to be gathered in a non-destructive manner, which is quite ideal for questioned document examination in forensic labs. However, the lack of quantitative data in the Fluorescence Microscope to determine the intensity of fluorescence is a limitation, thus it can be employed in collaboration with image processing software like ImageJ to determine the spectroscopic data.