ASTM E1789-04

Standard Guide for Writing Ink Identification (Withdrawn 2013)

SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers assisting forensic examiners in identifying writing inks. Included in this analysis scheme are the necessary tools and techniques which have been successfully utilized to reach conclusions as to the common or different origin of two samples of ink.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide covers assisting forensic examiners in identifying writing inks.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences, this guide was withdrawn in January 2013 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2004
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Nov-2004
• ICS: 87.080 - Inks. Printing inks
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.90 - Executive

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1789-96 - Standard Guide for Writing Ink Identification
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2004

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E1789 −04
StandardGuide for
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Writing Ink Identification
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1789; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This guide is intended as a general outline for use in forensic ink examinations, where the intention
is to identify an ink formula or type. It is designed both for the experienced document examiner (see
Guide E444) and for those unfamiliar with previously reported procedures. The aim is to describe
those techniques that will provide the most information about an ink with the least damage to the
document. This guide refers to well-reported and thoroughly tested techniques currently in use by
forensic document examiners, chemists, and other scientists.
Following the procedures as outlined, an examiner can accurately discriminate between ink
formulas; as well as significantly reducing the possibility of reporting false matches of ink samples
from different sources or incorrectly differentiating ink samples from a common source.
Identifications of ink formulas may be accomplished through the use of an adequate collection of
standards. The necessary completeness of a comparison collection and limitations of conclusions will
be addressed in the guide.
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1. Scope 2.2 NIST Standards:
NBS Standard Sample No. 2106 ISCC-NBS Centroid Color
1.1 This guide covers assisting forensic examiners in iden-
Charts
tifying writing inks. Included in this analysis scheme are the
NBS Special Pub. 440 Color: Universal Language and
necessary tools and techniques which have been successfully
Dictionary of Names
utilized to reach conclusions as to the common or different
origin of two samples of ink.
3. Terminology
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 Terminology has been defined in Guide E1422, with
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the following addition:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.2 ink library—an organized collection of reference
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
samples of inks and related materials.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—For maximum effectiveness in identifi-
2. Referenced Documents
cation of questioned ink, an ink library should at minimum
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include the following elements: reference samples of ink in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
unused form, either in bulk samples from the manufacturer or
E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document
in distribution form such as bottles, pens, or cartridges; dried
Examiners
ink specimens of each reference sample of ink placed on paper
E1422 Guide for Test Methods for Forensic Writing Ink
(scribble sheets); analysis results of each reference sample of
Comparison
ink,forexample,TLCsheets/plates;andaninkinformationfile
for each reference sample of ink containing available relevant
data. All elements of the collection should be as complete,
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
comprehensive, and up-to-date as possible, although this will
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.90 on Executive.
vary between ink libraries.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2004. Published January 2005. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous editon approved in 1996 as E1789–96. DOI:
10.1520/E1789-04.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on OfficeofStandardReferenceMaterials,R.B311,ChemistryBuilding,Gaithersburg,
the ASTM website. MD 20899.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E1789−04
4. Significance and Use therefore to match most questioned ink samples to a reference
sampleofinkorarelativelylimitedgroupofreferencesamples
4.1 The reasons for identifying writing inks are to obtain
in an ink library.
information about: the origin; relative availability; distribution;
4.3.1 Just as with other forensic tools, for example, FTIR,
and first and last (if applicable) production dates. It is this
GC, HPLC, etc., pattern profile matching with reference
valuable information available from the manufacturer and
samples is often sufficient to yield an identification. Individual
through the use of a collection of standar
...