Simple and Cost-Efficient Classification of Ballpoint Pen Inks Using Digital Color Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accurate classification of writing inks is crucial for forensic document examination.
• Existing methods for ink analysis can be complex and costly.
• Understanding ink degradation dynamics aids in authenticity assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple and cost-effective method for classifying writing inks using digital color analysis (DCA).
• To investigate the artificial aging dynamics of writing inks under UV irradiation using DCA.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of DCA for ink classification compared to conventional methods.

Main Methods:

• Digital Color Analysis (DCA) was employed to classify writing ink samples.
• Artificial aging of inks was induced via UV irradiation.
• Color changes in ballpoint pen marks were recorded over time using a DSLR camera.

Main Results:

• DCA successfully classified inks based on color degradation curve parameters.
• The precision of DCA in classifying inks surpassed that of Raman scattering.
• This study represents the first investigation into ink aging dynamics using DCA.

Conclusions:

• Digital Color Analysis offers a precise, cost-effective, and accessible technique for writing ink classification.
• The method has significant potential for forensic applications, particularly in detecting document forgery.
• The approach is applicable to studying degradation in various dye-containing materials and processes involving color change.