Proposed standard methods for ink identification

Two methods are presented for the identification of ink, both of which are currently being used by laboratories involved in ink analysis. Both methods incorporate physical and chemical procedures. The differences are primarily in chemical methods involving spot tests and thin layer chromatographic (TLC) techniques. Furthermore, one method utilizes spectrophotometric scanning of the TLC plate whereas the other method utilizes solution spectrophotometry. It is recommended that both methods be evaluated by several laboratories.