An Introduction to Gel Inks: History and Analysis

Abstract

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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Experimental Research on Class Identification with a New Type of Erasable Gel Pens

“…The newly developed gel ink formulations contain a combination of dyes and pigments or some formulations are only pigment‐based .Thus, solubility can be used to classify this new type of erasable gel pens . However, this type of ink cannot be completely distinguished physically, and further analysis of the ink components is still required using chemical analysis methods such as thin layer chromatography (TLC) .…”

“…. Color former is the same as a leuco dye used in thermal paper . At normal temperature, once the leuco dye and color developer contacts, it will develop color.…”