ABSTRACT
A method used in ink analysis is thin layer chromatography. This is a simple process of physically separating a substance using a physical barrier and a liquid to push the substance through. It is an inexpensive test and can easily distinguish differences in inks by leaving visual cues. The purpose of chromatography is to separate the substance that is being examined based on either polarity of the substance or mass action. There are two components in chromatography, a stationary phase and a mobile phase. The stationary phase acts as a physical barrier for the samples. The mobile phase carries the sample through the stationary phase. This causes the sample to separate into its components over time.
