Determining Line-Crossing Sequences Between Laser Printing and Writing Pen Using Coaxial Light

Determining the application sequence of hand-written pen ink and printer toner lines has attracted significant interest in questioned document examination. This study uses coaxial light to determine line-crossing sequences, with intersections observed under a VSC600 forensic document workstation and a Leica M205A Stereo-microscope. Results show that reflected light at intersections and color contrast between intersections and nonintersections was observed when a hand-written ink line passes over a toner line, while a toner line passing over a written line appeared dull, with no color contrast. The procedure was tested under a range of conditions, such as types of writing pens and laser printers, the writer, and writing pressure, with the latter playing an important role in the evaluation. To validate the results, a 90% detection rate and 98% accuracy rate were achieved from 50 samples of blind testing, which is more effective than optical microscopy.     

Determination of the sequence of intersecting lines from laser toner and seal ink by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscope / energy dispersive X-ray mapping

The aim of this study was to verify that the combination of Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscope / energy dispersive X-ray mapping could be applied to line intersection problems. The spectral data of red seal ink, laser toner and their intersections, such as peak location and peak intensity, were described. Relative peak height ratios of different chemical components in intersecting lines were used to distinguish the sequences. Energy dispersive X-ray mapping characteristics of intersecting areas were also detailed. The results show that both the laser toner and the seal ink appear on the surface of intersections, regardless of the sequence. The distribution of the two inks on the surface is influenced not only by the sequence of heterogeneous lines but also by diffusion. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray mapping are able to explore the chemical components and the corresponding elemental distribution in the intersections. The combination of these two techniques has provided a reliable method for sequencing intersecting lines of red seal ink and laser toner, and more importantly, this method may be a basis for sequencing superimposed lines from other writing instruments.     

Preliminary Study on Determining the Sequence of Intersecting Lines by Fluorescence Technique

The determination of the sequence of intersecting lines is an important part of questioned document examinations. A fluorescence technique was used to determine the sequence of heterogeneous intersecting lines produced using inkpad ink, stamp‐pad ink, ballpoint pens, gel pens, fountain pens, colorants of carbon paper, photocopiers, laser printers, and inkjet printers. A SteREO Discovery.V20 equipped with the ZEN Blue Lite software was chosen to perform the tests.As the results obtained from the study were positive under most conditions, the fluorescence technique was found to be very successful in determining the sequence of intersecting lines from ballpoint pen, gel pen, fountain pen, photocopier, laser and inkjet printers, and inkpad inks. The method was also successful in determining the sequence of intersecting lines from ballpoint pen, photocopier, laser printer, and stamp‐pad inks under most conditions. The technique was not successful in determining the order of crossing lines blending together.     

Visualizing latent fingerprints on color-printed papers using ultraviolet fluorescence

Laser detection of latent fingerprints on a white paper has been performed, previously. Ultraviolet fluorescence from various kinds of printer toner and ink used for home printers were measured to study fluorescence imaging of fingerprints on a color-printed white paper. The experimental system consisted of a nanosecond pulsed tunable laser and a cooled CCD camera. Excitation wavelengths are 230 and 280 nm. Fourteen printers consisting of three color laser printers, three color inkjet printers, five monochrome laser printers, two monochrome copy machines, and a color copy machine were tested. Toner and ink of most printers exhibited fluorescence in the region from 360 to 550 nm. In most cases, clear fluorescence images were obtained by time-resolved imaging with a band-pass filter and 280-nm excitation. However for toners from laser color printers that showed strong fluorescence, better results were obtained with 230-nm excitation. Latent fingerprints on a photograph page and a black-character page of a newspaper were also imaged.     

微束X射线荧光分析法鉴别激光打印机墨粉的研究

目的利用微束X射线荧光分析法（μ-XRF）研究激光打印机用墨粉的鉴别。方法利用μ-XRF对9台不同型号激光打印机用墨粉、对应的打印字迹、提取的字迹墨粉所含元素进行定性、半定量的分析。结果根据检出元素种类的不同,可将9台不同型号激光打印机用墨粉、对应的打印字迹、提取的字迹墨粉分成7类、4类、4类,区分率分别为94.4%、75%、69.4%。结论本研究所建立的μ-XRF鉴别激光打印机墨粉方法具有微区、原位无损检验等优点,对提高激光打印文件检验水平具有现实意义。     

激光显微共聚焦拉曼光谱仪对红色墨迹的研究

目的利用激光显微共聚焦拉曼光谱仪对文书中常见的红色墨迹材料进行表征,研究该方法对红色墨迹材料的区分能力。方法在785nm激发波长,50倍物镜条件下,对49种红色印文,以及9种彩色喷墨打印和13种彩色激光打印的红色墨迹材料进行拉曼光谱表征。结果通过对71种墨迹样品的谱图进行分析,可以发现,红色印文墨迹、喷墨打印红色墨迹及激光打印红色墨迹的拉曼光谱间均存在差异,同时,拉曼光谱可将这三种墨迹材料分别进一步区分。结论显微共聚焦激光拉曼光谱可对红色墨迹材料进行有效表征和区分。这一方法可对红色印文墨迹进行识别,并且可实现对伪造印文文件的鉴别。     

An Examination of the Sequence of Intersecting Seal and Laser Printing Toner Line

Examining the sequence of intersecting seal and laser printing line is a significant method of determining the authenticity and validity of documents. In this study, five brands of stamp pad inks, three types of inkpads and seven kinds of laser printers were used to make heterogeneous line intersections. Observation method of physical characteristics, scraping technique and fluorescence method was used to determine the sequence of intersecting lines. Distinguishing features were noted between the materials produced in both sequences. As the results obtained from the study were positive, these features might provide a scientific basis for accurately determining the sequence between laser printing line and inkpad (stamp pad ink) seal.     

常用彩色激光打印机打印文件暗记特征的初步研究

目的收集当前我国常用不同品牌和型号的彩色激光打印机打印样本,研究打印文件上暗记特征的提取分析及其变化规律,探讨彩色激光打印文件暗记特征在鉴定实践中的应用及其在打印文件防伪措施中的价值。方法使用显微镜、文检仪及有关图像处理技术分别检验了彩色激光打印机的打印文件样本。结果彩色激光打印机打印文件上会出现暗记特征,且不同品牌的暗记特征出现规律、形态特征和点阵特征不同。结论暗记特征可作为初步鉴别彩色激光打印机品牌型号及打印时间的依据,具有防伪价值,但其在鉴定实践中还存在一定的局限性,有待进一步研究。     

文件朱墨时序的检验方法及其比较分析

文件朱墨时序的判定是文件检验领域的难题之一。本文以38篇文献为基础,综述了目前常用的解决朱墨时序问题的十一种方法。并对各种方法的适用范围、优点和局限进行比较分析,以期为文检工作者视检材的具体情况采用合适的检验方法,提供一些参考。     

Initial Study for the Determination of the Sequence of Intersecting Lines between Gel Pens and Seals by Optical Coherence Tomography*

Determining the sequence of intersecting lines is a significant issue in the forensic document examination that can reveal the fraud or distinguish between different allegations. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution cross-sectional imaging technique that has been introduced into forensic science field recently. The potential of OCT as a novel method to determine the sequence of intersecting lines was examined for the first time. In this study, a spectral-domain OCT system with a center wavelength of 900 nm was employed to perform nondestructive examination on determining the sequence of 18 heterogeneous intersecting line samples produced using three types of gel pens and three brands of stamp pad ink seals. Two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional, and three-dimensional (3D) volumetric images of the intersecting lines were obtained by the OCT system. Several features were noted and analyzed to successfully determine the sequence of all the 18 samples. Blind tests were also conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of OCT technique. The results illustrate that OCT technology can provide an effective and accurate method for sequencing intersecting lines of gel pen ink and seal ink, which may complement the conventional methods used in the examination of questioned documents.     

荧光检验法在朱墨时序鉴定中的应用研究

朱墨时序鉴定一直是文书司法鉴定实践中常见的鉴定项目,也是研究的热点和疑难问题.通过实验研究并结合检案实践,较系统地阐述了视频荧光光谱检验法和显微荧光检验法在朱墨时序鉴定的具体应用,探讨了荧光检验的技术要点.研究表明,荧光检验法（特别是显微荧光检验法）具有普通显微检验法的优点,同时对普通显微检验法中难以观察到的印文或文字色料荧光特性及色料的微观分布状态,具有明显的检验效果,是普通显微检验法有效的补充检验手段.     

Toner Particles as Forensic Evidence: Microanalytical Characterization of Known Toner and Recognition of Toner in Environmental Samples*†‡

Modern printing toners represent a prime example of subvisible particles that can be easily transferred to hands, clothing, and other surfaces. To explore the potential evidentiary value of toner particles, toner samples were collected from known printer cartridges and characterized by various microanalytical techniques to establish the properties most useful for recognition, identification, and comparison. Environmental samples (i.e., dust) were then collected from various locations at varying distances from toner-based printers, using both tape lifts and carbon adhesive stubs, to assess the possibility of detecting toner. By light microscopy, toner can be recognized on the basis of particle size and shape, as well as color. Further examination of the micromorphology in the field emission scanning electron microscope reveals characteristic morphologies and differences in surface texture and shape among toner sources. Raman spectroscopy provides chemical identification of the pigment (or pigment class) and, in some cases, also permits identification of the polymer component. While black and blue pigment chemistry remained constant among toner varieties that were studied (copper phthalocyanine and carbon black), variation in yellow and magenta pigments was observed. Analysis of dust samples collected from various environments demonstrated that while toner is consistently detectable in close proximity to printers (within 2 feet), it also can be detected in dust collected in nearby rooms. This research demonstrates that toner particles can be located, characterized, and discriminated, using a suite of microanalytical methods that are applicable to forensic casework.     

Examination of heterogeneous crossing sequences between toner and rollerball pen strokes by digital microscopy and 3-D laser profilometry

The determination of line crossing sequences between rollerball pens and laser printers presents difficulties that may not be overcome using traditional techniques. This research aimed to study the potential of digital microscopy and 3-D laser profilometry to determine line crossing sequences between a toner and an aqueous ink line. Different paper types, rollerball pens, and writing pressure were tested. Correct opinions of the sequence were given for all case scenarios, using both techniques. When the toner was printed before the ink, a light reflection was observed in all crossing specimens, while this was never observed in the other sequence types. The 3-D laser profilometry, more time-consuming, presented the main advantage of providing quantitative results. The findings confirm the potential of the 3-D laser profilometry and demonstrate the efficiency of digital microscopy as a new technique for determining the sequence of line crossings involving rollerball pen ink and toner.     

几种朱墨交叉时序的检验方法及其比较分析

文件朱墨交叉时序的确定一直是困扰文检界的难题之一.本文简要介绍了目前常用的六种检验方法,并结合五个典型案例对各种检验方法进行比较分析,以探讨针对不同形成条件的文件物证进行检验时采用哪些检验方法更为有效的解决问题.希望能够在同类问题的研究上达到抛砖引玉的效果.     

An examination of the sequence of intersecting lines using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectral imaging

In this study, the potential of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectral imaging as a technique to determine the sequence of line crossings was examined. The technique was successful in determining the sequence of heterogeneous line intersections produced using ballpoint pens and laser printers. By imaging at characteristic frequencies, it was possible to form spectral images showing the spatial distribution of the materials. By examining the spectral images from the inks, it was possible to determine whether the ink was above or below the toner. In blind testing, ATR-FTIR spectral imaging results were directly compared to those obtained by eight experienced forensic document examiners using methods regularly employed in casework. ATR-FTIR spectral imaging was shown to achieve a 100% success rate in the blind tests, whereas some incorrect sequence determinations were made by the forensic document examiners when using traditional techniques. The technique was unable to image ink-jet printing, gel pens, roller ball pens, and felt-tip pens, and was also unable to determine the sequence of intersecting ballpoint pen lines.     

Evaluation of photometric stereo and elastomeric sensor imaging for the non-destructive 3D analysis of questioned documents – A pilot study

Photometric Stereo and Elastomeric Sensor Imaging were assessed for measuring the 3-dimensional (3D) morphology of questioned document samples. Photometric stereo is shown to be a powerful non-contact technique for revealing micron level detail of the samples examined. Elastomeric Sensor Imaging is shown to complement photometric stereo by yielding equivalent results. Additionally, this technique allows quantification of the morphological depth information. The techniques were applied to 2 different types of questioned document sample. Firstly, written signatures were examined. Both techniques were able to reveal characteristic features that could be used to infer stroke direction and ink line application sequence. Secondly toner/ink intersections were examined. Both techniques allowed visualisation of 3D features which were used to infer the sequence of application.     

A Preliminary Study on Sources of Banding Artifacts for the Identification of Monochromatic Laser Printers,

The analysis of questioned documents printed with monochromatic toner has been a great challenge to document examiners. Banding artifacts, which are often perceived in the outputs of laser printers, could be a solution to the identification of printers. In this study, sources other than the gear transmission errors were discovered for some primary banding frequency components. By detecting the angular velocity variation of photosensitive drums and other rotating parts of the tested printers and comparing them with the banding signals extracted from the printouts, the authors located the sources of banding frequency components. It was shown that the sources of some primary and persistent banding signals, which were previously unknown, were traced to the periodic velocity variations of the motors or the timing belts. As inherent signatures, banding artifacts could be promising features for discriminating documents printed by individual laser printers.     

Technical Note: Analyzing the effect of repeated fusing on toner to examine printing alterations made by the same laser printer

With continuous innovations in laser printing technology, the number of cases of falsification using laser printers is increasing annually. Difficulties in identifying printing alternations, especially laser-printed alternations by the same printer are increasing. Effectively, repeated printing on the same page by the same printer means the original toner on the document was fused repeatedly. Thus, this study mainly investigates the effects of second fusing on the microscopic morphology of toner to examine whether documents have been tampered with. To detect the influence of fusing on the microscopic morphology of toner, 170 documents printed by 17 different models of laser printers from 5 brands were studied. It was found that, according to microscopic observations, the micrographs of toner may become brighter, darker or both with repetition of the fusing process. By calculating the average gray value of the micrographs of toner, it was found that, in some laser printers, the gray value of the thermoplastic accumulation area will increase after a second fusing, and the gray value of the toner particle dispersion area will decrease. In conclusion, by comparing the micrographs of toner from suspicious and reliable contents on the same page or in the same document, together with the measurement and analysis of average gray values, it is possible to examine the once- and twice-fused document contents, and further determine whether the document has been altered.     

Determination of the Chronological Order of a Laser Printing and Gel Pen Writing Without any Crossing Strokes

Laser printers and writing instruments are being exploited by the forgers to produce fabricated documents. They often produce such documents by appending genuine signature on a blank sheet and later printing on it. Often these fabricated documents do not contain intersection of strokes and may pose a difficulty to forensic document examiners in analyzing cases related to such documents. Keeping in mind the limited research work done on nonintersecting strokes, the present study has been conducted with an aim to determine the sequence of nonintersecting strokes of gel pens and laser printers. Three hundred samples of nonintersecting strokes of gel pen ink and laser printing were prepared. Of these 300, 150 had laser-printed text below the gel pen strokes and the remaining 150 were prepared with gel pen stokes below the laser-printed text. The samples have been analyzed using Nikon SMZ 800N stereomicroscope. Three micro-conformation features, that is, pattern of toner distribution, ink distribution, and fiber distribution have been observed in the samples. The results demonstrate the successful establishment of sequence of nonintersecting strokes in case of gel pen and laser-printed documents by the determination of micro-conformation features.     

Fluorescence spectra and images of latent fingerprints excited with a tunable laser in the ultraviolet region

Fluorescence spectra of sebum-rich latent fingerprints were studied with a tunable laser for non-destructive fingerprint detection without chemical treatment. The tunable laser consists of a nanosecond pulsed Nd-YAG laser and an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) crystal. The fluorescence spectra and images were measured at various excitation wavelengths in the ultraviolet region by the time-resolved fluorescence method. We have previously reported that a typical fluorescence spectrum of fingerprints consists of two peaks located at c. 330 and 440 nm. In order to determine the wavelength of optimal excitation, excitation spectra were measured at wavelengths ranging from 220 to 310 nm. The fluorescence intensity of the 330 nm peak became maximal with excitation at 280 nm. The images of latent fingerprints on white papers were also measured and the clearest image was obtained with excitation at 280 nm. The influence of continuous irradiation on the fluorescence of fingerprints was measured at the optimal excitation wavelengths. The 330 nm peak was strong at first and decreased with continuous irradiation, whereas the 440 nm peak, which was weak at first, increased gradually.