Evaluation of a Method Using Powder to Detect the Site of Rubber Erasures

Abstract

Detecting the site of an erasure on a questioned document may ultimately lead to the discovery of a theft involving millions of dollars. Document examiners, particularly those who evaluate evidence in criminal matters, are frequently faced with problems involving erasures. A method of detecting the site of a mechanical abrasion made by a rubber-type eraser was tested and evaluated in comparison with the success of other methods. The method uses a chemical powder and is extremely sensitive in detecting rubber erasures even in cases where more frequently used methods had failed. Several shortcomings of the powder method were discovered during the period of evaluation and these disadvantages are discussed.