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Characterizing pen strokes produced using various commercially available thermochromic inks.

Mario Alejandro Alvarez Cordeiro1, Catalina Gondikas1

  • 1Córdoba, Argentina.

Forensic Sciences Research
|January 23, 2025
PubMed
Summary

This study analyzed thermochromic ink pens, revealing general characteristics like ink accumulation and pasty appearance. Specific ink properties, detectable with UV and IR light, can identify the pen used.

Keywords:
erasableforensic sciencesinkpenthermochromicthermosensitive

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Forensic Science
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Thermochromic ink pens, appearing in 2006, have a wide variety of brands and models.
  • Previous studies described general characteristics, but a larger sample size is needed to differentiate general from specific traits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To study and characterize commercially available thermochromic ink pens.
  • To differentiate general and specific characteristics of thermochromic inks.
  • To identify methods for distinguishing between different brands and models of thermochromic pens.

Main Methods:

  • Examined ink strokes from 15 pens purchased in Córdoba, Argentina.
  • Evaluated unaltered and heat-manipulated (with/without friction) strokes.
  • Utilized naked eye observation, optical magnification, and light irradiation (UV, cyan, oblique white light).
  • Employed infrared (IR) techniques for luminescence analysis.

Main Results:

  • 100% of unaltered strokes showed ink accumulation and a pasty appearance.
  • Oblique light revealed colorless (erased) strokes via contrast.
  • UV (365, 254 nm) and cyan (505 nm) light with IR techniques distinguished thermochromic ink.
  • Specific characteristics like ink accumulation relief and IR luminescence intensity varied between brands/models.

Conclusions:

  • General characteristics of thermochromic inks are consistent across brands.
  • Specific ink properties, observable with UV and IR techniques, can help identify the writing instrument.
  • Thermochromic ink's response to heat, light, and friction provides unique identifiers.