With the increasing use and variety of gel pens on the market, forensic document examiners may encounter problems identifying gel pens from other common pen types. This study discusses the initial findings of an investigation into the history, technology, and properties of gel pens. Microscopical (visual) and chemical methods were also evaluated as ways to characterize and identify gel inks. The results of the study demonstrate that the presence of a gel ink can often be determined, but that some gel inks resemble other types of pens, especially roller balls, upon visual examination. Further, chromatographic methods used to characterize traditional dye-based inks may be less useful with gel inks; for these, other spectrometric methods including Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS) were evaluated and proved useful.
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In the field of document examination, several approaches can be taken to probe the authenticity of a piece of ancient writing. Scholars have the task of analyzing, and possibly translating, the language and content of a document, and assessing the character and quality of the script. Materials characterization plays another role. Both the document substrate and the ink can be examined to determine whether the materials and methods of creation are consistent with those known to be used during the historical period to which the document is attributed.
Comprehensive testing and analysis (microscopic, chemical and codicological) of University of Chicago ms 972-Gregory-Aland ms 2427 confi rms that it is a modern production made sometime between 1874 and the fi rst decades of the 20th century.
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