Dynamic of the ageing of ballpoint pen inks: quantification of phenoxyethanol by GC-MS.

The ageing process of some inks were studied to evaluate whether it is possible to date them. We used gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to measure the evaporation of volatile components. The selected approach thus follows the disappearance of one ink volatile component (phenoxyethanol) as a function of time. The ink ageing curve represents the ratio of an evaporating compound to a stable compound of ink according to time. The results obtained are thus independent of the quantity of ink sampled for analysis. We obtained for two pens, containing two different inks, a curve highlighting an exponential decrease of the evaporating compound. By fitting these curves we determined the limitations of dating a ballpoint pen ink. Two distinct behaviours were observed in two distinct modes, the first called 'fast mode' and the second called 'slow mode'. In order to try to explain the phenomenon, the studies were based on solvent diffusion theory in complex matrix (such as polymer on varnish). Calculations from certain parameters showed an extremely fast evaporation of ink solvents, as well as varying behaviour depending on the paper used. The results showed that it is not possible to date ballpoint pen inks with this method in document examination casework.     

Vulnerabilities of fingerprint reader to fake fingerprints attacks

The purpose of this research is to assess the vulnerabilities of a high resolution fingerprint sensor when confronted with fake fingerprints. The study has not been focused on the decision outcome of the biometric device, but essentially on the scores obtained following the comparison between a query (genuine or fake) and a template using an AFIS system. To do this, fake fingerprints of 12 subjects have been produced with and without their cooperation. These fake fingerprints have been used alongside with real fingers. The study led to three major observations: First, genuine fingerprints produced scores higher than fake fingers (translating a closer proximity) and this tendency is observed considering each subject separately. Second, scores are however not sufficient as a single measure to differentiate these samples (fake from genuine) given the variation due to the donors themselves. That explains why fingerprint readers without vitality detection can be fooled. Third, production methods and subjects greatly influence the scores obtained for fake fingerprints.     

Reviews

Archie Brown, The Gorbachev Factor. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996, £19.99.

Terry Cox, From Perestroika to Privatisation: The Politics of Property Change in Russian Society 1985–1991. Aldershot: Avebury, 1996, vi + 158 pp., £30.00.

Maxim Boyko, Andrei Shleifer & Robert Vishny, Privatizing Russia. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, ix + 165 pp., £15.95.

Iver B. Neumann, Russia and the Idea of Europe: A Study in Identity and International Relations. London: Routledge, 1996, xviii + 253 pp., £13.99.

James P. Nichol, Diplomacy in the Former Soviet Republics. Westport, CT, London: Praeger, 1995, xii + 244 pp., £49.50.

Randall W. Stone, Satellites and Commissars: Strategy and Conflict in the Politics of Soviet‐Bloc Trade. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1996, xviii + 283 pp., $39.50.

Adrian Hyde‐Price, The International Politics of East Central Europe. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1996, xviii + 300 pp., £45.00 h/b, £14.99 p/b.

John Dornberg, Central and Eastern Europe. Phoenix: The Oryx Press, 1995, x 4‐ 238 pp., £21.95.

Robert B. Pynsent (ed.), The Literature of Nationalism: Essays on East European Identity. London: University of London, 1996, viii + 282 pp.

Iliana Zloch‐Christy (ed.), Bulgaria in a Time of Change: Economic and Political Dimensions. Aldershot: Avebury, 1996, xi + 221 pp., £35.00.

Grzegorz Wec?awowicz, Contemporary Poland: Space and Society. London: UCL Press, 1996, 208 pp., £40.00 h/b., £14.95 p/b.

Maria Drohobycky (ed.), Crimea. Dynamics, Challenges and Prospects. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1995, xix + 250 pp., £34.50 h/b., £15.95 p/b.

Helen Fodor (ed.), Belarus and Moldova. Country Studies. Washington, DC: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, 1995, xxvi + 254 pp.

Kevin P. O'Prey, A Farewell to Arms? Russia's Struggles with Defense Conversion. New York: Twentieth Century Fund Press, 1995, vii + 143 pp., $9.95.

Alison Hilton, Russian Folk Art. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1995, xxiv + 356 pp., £31.50.

George F. Kennan, At a Century's Ending: Reflections, 1982–1995. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1996, 351 pp., US$27.50, £19.95.

Martin McCauley, The Khrushchev Era 1953–1964. London: Longman, 1995, 99 pp., £5.99.

Martin McCauley, The Origins of the Cold War, 1941–1949. 2nd edn. London: Longman, 1995, xii + 153 pp., £5.99.

Geoffrey Swain, The Origins of the Russian Civil War. Essex: Longman, 1996, xiv + 296 pp., £13.99.

Peter B. Maggs, The Mandelstam and “Der Nister” Files: An Introduction to Stalin‐era Prison and Labor Camp Records. New York: M. E. Sharpe, 1996, 184 pp., $52.95 h/b.     

A methodology for illicit heroin seizures comparison in a drug intelligence perspective using large databases

To characterise links between different illicit drugs chemical profiles, various distance or correlation measurements are available.Different comparison methods have been tested and a method based on a correlation coefficient using a square cosine function was chosen to compare heroin chemical profiles. Its functioning and graphical representation are described. An assessment of the number of false positives is calculated and lead to a negligible number.Moreover, it emerges from the studies that possible variations in impurity peak areas subject to possible degradations do not influence the C correlation value nor question the already established links.This solid, reliable and simple method appears therefore suitable for heroin samples comparison, links profiling and routine use.