Forensic Discrimination Potential of Video Spectral Comparator and Micro Spectrophotometer in Analyzing Question Document and Fraud Cases in India

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the discriminating power of non-destructive methods, including optical methods likes the Video spectral comparator method (VSC) and Micro spectrophotometer (MSP) used to differentiate ballpoint pen ink which is commonly used in question document and fraud cases in India. Documents have been investigated to determine the feasibility of utilizing the Video spectral comparator method (VSC) and Micro spectrophotometer (MSP) for the differentiation and comparison of inks on paper. The work focused on how to develop the most effective procedure to ensure quality, when Micro spectrophotometer is used to differentiate writing materials by characteristics color scan of each ink. Six different commercially available blue ballpoint pen inks produced from most popular pens in Indian Market which were used as research material. We have studied most selling pens in Indian market (Reynolds, Parker, and Lexis 2 types, Cello griper and local made pen) for overwriting, alternation and modification of ballpoint pen ink on documents. These pens are generally used on questioned document in forensic discrimination cases and these questioned documents cases received by forensic science laboratories regularly. In forensic discrimination cases generally initial writing is overwritten by using other ink and to identify which ink was used to overwrite is challenging task in field of forensic science. The present study highlighted that the Video Spectral Comparator method (VSC) and Micro spectrophotometer (MSP) can be used routinely in such types of document cases and it has demonstrated to be an excellent analytical method for the forensic analysis of inks on a questioned document.