ABSTRACT
Even in this age of electronic communications and digital documents, illicit activities related to physical documents necessitate the examination, analysis, and, sometimes, comparison of documents and inks on documents. Forensic document examiners are trained to identify and characterize features in a document that could provide key information in forensic investigations. The processes and formulations of ink manufacture are very dynamic, with continuous changes needed to adjust to the market's requirements. As a consequence, the interpretation of chemical data requires the document examiner to be continually updated and well informed about the potential chemical universe that makes up inks. The history of writing inks is important for forensic purposes because forensic examiners may be asked to estimate the date of an ink entry. Some formulations have been produced during very specific time periods and therefore the identification of their chemical composition may assist the examiner with their opinion.
