HPLC analysis of ballpoint pen inks stored at different light conditions

A method for comparison of ink entries on documents stored in different light conditions is presented. Various blue inks were exposed to light, both daylight and artificial light from fluorescent tubes. Inks were then extracted from the document and analyzed by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Significant changes in composition were noted on exposure to light. These changes were followed by using ternary diagrams constructed for dyes generally present in blue-colored inks--Crystal Violet, Methyl Violet, and Tetramethyl Para Rosaniline. Also, the amount of the various compounds formed by decomposition of these dyes on exposure to light was measured and employed for comparison of inks. An example of the use of the proposed method in casework is given.