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Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007 Trends

Applications of capillary
electrophoresis in forensic
analytical chemistry
C. Cruces-Blanco, L. Gámiz–Gracia, A.M. Garcı́a-Campaña

In the past decade, capillary-electrophoresis (CE) techniques have been of the forensic chemist are the instruments
demonstrated to offer promising, effective and economic approaches for the of analytical chemistry [5], with emphasis
separation of a large variety of substances, including those encountered in mainly on chromatographic techniques
forensic analysis. Reliable, automated CE instruments have become com- (e.g., gas chromatography (GC) [6–8] and
mercially available and have advanced methods in forensic sciences. This high-performance liquid chromatography
article reviews applications of CE in the field of forensic analytical chemistry, (HPLC) [9–13]), with the help of many
covering the literature since the first publication appeared in the early 1990s other analytical techniques (e.g., mass
and focusing on two applications: (i) explosive compounds and gunshot spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform
residues; and, (ii) inks and dyes. infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Raman
ª 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography
(TLC), immunoassays, atomic absorption/
Keywords: Capillary electrophoresis; Dye; Explosive; Forensic analysis; Gunshot
atomic emission spectroscopy (AAS/AES),
residue; Inks
inductively coupled plasma-AES (ICP-
1. Introduction AES), ultraviolet/visible spectrometry (UV-
C. Cruces-Blanco*,
Vis) or scanning electron microscopy
L. Gámiz–Gracia,
A.M. Garcı́a-Campaña
Forensic sciences include a broad, inter- (SEM)).
Department of Analytical disciplinary group of applications of Among the separation techniques, GC
Chemistry, physical and biological sciences and vari- and especially HPLC [14] provide specific
Faculty of Sciences, ous technologies applied in civil and results of multiple components and are
University of Granada,
criminal justice to cover areas from psy- well-established in forensic laboratories,
18071 Granada, Spain
chology, pathology, psychiatry, toxicol- but they require extensive sample pre-
ogy, entomology, anthropology, treatment and present problems when
odontology up to pure forensic chemistry samples are quite complicated, an espe-
issues [1–3]. Forensic analytical chemistry cially time-consuming issue usually ob-
is defined as a discipline applied to crime- served in HPLC, or when problems derive
scene analysis and to law and is one of the from the behaviour of some analytes in GC
areas of analytical chemistry where due to their thermal instability. So as to
the nature of the sample and the use of the overcome most of these problems, it is
analytical chemical information play nowadays more common in forensic lab-
important roles in selecting and executing oratories to apply capillary electrophoresis
the appropriate chemical-analysis tech- (CE), which originally appeared in the
nique. This part of forensic sciences deals early 1980s, and is probably the most
with the characterization and quantita- rapidly expanding analytical technique
tion of chemical substances at trace levels, from the past two decades.
which often refer to explosive compounds Since the appearance of the first prac-
and gunshot residues and to inks and tical CE instrument in 1989, numerous
writing materials [4]. books have been dedicated to this tech-
*
Most forensic samples are complex nique [15–21,73]. There have also been
Corresponding author.
Tel.: +34 958 248594;
mixtures for which analysis generally re- comprehensive reviews on the introduc-
Fax: +34 958 249510; quires separation prior to identification of tion of CE as an analytical technique from
E-mail: mcruces@ugr.es chemical species. Thus, the principal tools its beginning until the present day

0165-9936/$ - see front matter ª 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.trac.2006.12.007 215
Trends Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007

[22,23]. Many more reviews and book chapters have volves the separation of charged analytes, based on the
appeared in the literature summarizing the basic differences in their electrophoretic mobilities, resulting in
instrumental aspects and separation principles of CE different migration velocities. This mode is termed cap-
[24–26]. The main features of CE are its versatility of illary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Another commonly
applications (e.g., inorganic ions, organic molecules and encountered mode of CE is micellar electrokinetic chro-
large biomolecules) using the same instrument and, in matography (MEKC). This combination of electrophore-
most cases, the same capillary, while changing only the sis and chromatography allows separation of both
composition of the running buffer. Also, the resultant neutral and charged solutes [57,58]. Since the first
waste, mostly an aqueous buffer, sometimes containing commercial CE instrument some 17 years ago, CE
a small percentage of an organic modifier, is environ- applications have become widespread in many fields
mentally safe and can generally be discarded without (analysis of foodstuffs [59–66], environmental analysis
any danger to the environment. However, among the [67–72], pharmaceutical analysis [73–80], clinical
cited features, the advantage that has caused the wide- chemistry [78,81–84], and others [85]).
spread application of CE in the various fields of analytical This article offers a comprehensive review of the
chemistry has been the accomplishment of both the applications of CE techniques employing different modes
availability of different modes of separation together with of operation and detection in forensic chemistry, based
the possibility of interfacing with different detection on the literature that has appeared since the first appli-
systems. cation in 1991, for two important targets of this
Detection in CE has to face two challenges, namely the discipline:
small amounts of analytes to be injected together with (i) explosive compounds and gunshot residues; and,
the tiny peak volumes. To date, UV-Vis detectors are by (ii) inks and writing media.
far the most widely adopted detection devices, despite the
short internal diameter of the capillary limiting the
concentration sensitivity [15]. Laser-induced fluores- 2. Applications of capillary electrophoresis in
cence (LIF), allowing high-energy excitation and hence forensic chemistry
producing high output of emitted radiation, is more
sensitive but instrumentally more complex and more Among the applications of the CE technique that have
expensive, suffering the drawback of limited excitation been growing more rapidly in recent years are forensic
wavelengths available from the different commercial chemistry and toxicology [5,24,86]. In the hands of
lasers, in relation to the excitation needs dictated by the forensic toxicologists, CE represents a powerful and rel-
fluorophore(s) under investigation [27–29]. Because of atively new analytical tool, which has proved suitable for
the importance of information provided by MS tech- the investigation of a great number of different forensic
niques, there have been many efforts to develop inter- samples. The exceptional power of separation and reso-
faces between the CE apparatus and the MS detector lution, rapid analysis time, simplicity, versatility, low
[30,31], electrospray ionization (ESI) being the most mass limits of detection (LODs), economy of reagents,
common interface offering sufficient sensitivity and minimal sample requirements and the possibility of
selectivity for the determination of a wide range of direct sample injection without complex sample pre-
analytes of clinical and forensic significance [32]. Nev- treatments make CE an attractive methodology to
ertheless, apart from the detection mode, the major dis- forensic scientists [87–89] when the sample matrix may
advantage of CE lies in its lack of sensitivity when be extremely complicated and contain a number of
compared to HPLC. Various approaches to this sensitiv- endogenous components that have to be resolved from
ity limitation have been developed [33,34], mostly using the solute of interest. However, lack of sensitivity and
pre-concentration devices [35,36], stacking techniques ÔmaturityÕ mean that CE is not yet very well established
[37–39], or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) or solid-phase in forensic laboratories as an additional tool.
extraction (SPE) pretreatments. The first application found in the literature of CE in
A variety of other detection techniques have been forensic analysis was described by Weinberger and Lurie
applied in CE, including chemiluminescence [40–49], [90] in 1991. They analyzed illicit drug substances using
electrochemical detection [50,51] or nuclear magnetic MEKC, demonstrating that this mode of operation is
resonance [52,53]. An overview of the main detection more suitable than CZE for obtaining highly efficient
techniques applied in CE, among which MS is perhaps separations of compounds of forensic interest. The first
the most interesting for forensic purposes, can be found review of forensic applications of CE was published by
in the monograph by Li [54]. The various modes of Northrop et al. [91], which was followed by the paper of
detection in CE have also been reviewed [55,56]. Tagliaro and Smith [92].
The versatility of CE, along with the possibility of dif- Since these first publications, the applications of CE to
ferent detection modes, is derived from its additional forensic analysis have been the subject of numerous
separation modes [15,16]. In its simplest form, CE in- comprehensive textbooks and chapters [93–95] and also

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Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007 Trends

of numerous reviews and comprehensive articles comprise unburned powder, particles from the primer
[22,32,81,96–105]. A volume of the Journal of Chro- and case of the cartridge, and metals from the barrel of
matography B [106] covered the use of CE for forensic the gun [107,108]. Table 1(A) shows the usual com-
and clinical toxicology. As a result of the important re- ponents found in gunshot residues.
views cited and due to the fast development of suitable The upsurge in terrorist activity has generated tre-
instrumentation, the use of CE in clinical and forensic mendous demand for innovative tools capable of
laboratories has been explored extensively. CE still rep- detecting major industrial, military and home-made
resents an emerging technology for clinical and forensic explosives. Fast, sensitive and reliable detection of
laboratories, but the popularity and the importance of explosives in the field is a very important issue. The main
this analytical tool are steadily increasing. purposes of analyzing explosives and gunshot residues
are estimation of firing distances, identification of bullet
2.1. Explosive compounds and gunshot residues holes, and, most important, identification of whether or
Gunshot residues are produced when a firearm is dis- not a person has discharged a firearm or been involved
charged and can be deposited on the hands of the per- in a terrorist blast. For such reasons, analyses of both
petrator. In targets and weapons, these residues explosives and gunshot residues are amongst the most

Table 1. Main components of (A) gunshot residues and (B) inks with some characteristics and usage (adapted from [129] and [149])

(A) Gunshot residue components Usage


Organic
Nitroglycerin Propellent
Resorcinol Stabilizer
2,4-Dinitrotoluene Flash inhibitor
2,6-Dinitrotoluene Flash inhibitor
2,3-Dinitrotoluene Flash inhibitor
Dimethyl phthalate Plasticizer
Diethyl phthalate Plasticizer
Dibuthyl phthalate Plasticizer
Methyl centralite Stabilizer
Diphenylamine Stabilizer
Ethyl centralite Stabilizer

Inorganic
Antimony Fuel
Iron Bullet material
Barium Oxidizing agent
Calcium Fuel
Magnesium Fuel
Aluminium Fuel
Nickel Bullet material
Zinc Bullet material
Lead Explosive (lead styphnate)
Copper Bullet material

(B) Ink components Characteristics


Coloring materials: Affect the appearance
Dyes Classified as acidic, basic, solvent, etc.
Pigments Consist of finely ground multimolecular granules. Insoluble in vehicle.

Vehicle: Flow and drying characteristics


Oils Can be linseed, soy, mineral or other type of oil. Classified as drying,
non-drying, or combination, depending on degree of unsaturation of oil
Solvents Can be any of several organic solvents, or water. Analyzed in many ink dating procedures
Resins Non-crystalline material of high molecular weight. May be natural or synthetic

Other additives:
Driers Drying characteristics. Catalyze oxidation of drying oils. Many are inorganic salts.
Plasticisers Reduces brittleness of ink. Consist of solvents with low volatility. Give stability of ink film
Surfactants Changes surface tension of ink. Typically consist of soaps or detergents. Give wetting ability
Waxes Increase flexibility and reduce brittleness. May be hydrocarbon waxes, greases such as petroleum jelly.
Give hardness and/or flexibility

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Trends Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007

important tests in forensic sciences. Nevertheless, the residues by LC or GC and inorganic residues by the
results from such tests have been controversial because techniques mentioned above [114].
of the lack of specificity by most of the traditional tech- Since the pioneering works of Northrop in 1991 [115]
niques [109,110]. and Hagardon and McCord in 1992 [116], CE has been
Current methods for the analysis of evidence in clan- applied in trace-analysis in areas (e.g., explosive and
destine laboratory cases primarily focus on analyzing gunshot residues) for either organic or inorganic com-
organic species using GC-MS and IR techniques. How- ponents. This is especially important in the analysis of
ever, techniques to analyze inorganic species in samples inorganic explosives residues due to its role as a com-
collected from clandestine laboratory cases need to be plementary technique to ion chromatography (IC),
able to provide relevant information concerning the allowing separation and analysis of these inorganic
process and materials involved. species with important impact in the examination of
Since the work of Harrison and Gilroy [111], gunshot many forensic evidence samples, including explosives,
analysis has been based on the determination of heavy gunshot residues and others [91,117,118]. As it was
metals, usually lead, barium and antimony, which orig- pointed out in a review on the recent advances in the
inate from the primer of the cartridge. Several techniques application of CE to forensic sciences in the past four
of elemental analysis have been used (e.g., neutron years [101], CE represents today a sound and widely
activation analysis (NAA), electrothermal atomic accepted technique in forensic analysis and has been
absorption spectroscopy (ET-AAS), and inductively used to analyze explosive compounds and gunshot resi-
coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) [107–109]). dues in different types of forensic samples [115], soils
A review on all aspects of analysis associated with [119], explosives [120], etc. using MEKC and also cation
gunshot residues [109] included a summary on the analysis, usually with a complexing agent [121]. These
specific nature of inorganic and organic residues, how types of application are becoming especially important
they arise and how they may be collected from a variety due to the lack of a sensitive spectroscopic technique for
of matrices. The techniques described included scanning the detection of ammonium, monomethylamine and the
electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray anal- various anions present in pipe-bomb residues. McCord
ysis (SEM–EDX), flameless AAS, NAA, energy dispersive and Bender [122] published a review that includes sig-
X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) for inorganic residues and nificant detail on the use of CE in explosive analysis.
GC, HPLC and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) The mode of separation most widely used for this type
with special detectors, such as MS, for organic residues. of analysis is MEKC. The separation and identification of
Among all these techniques, the most accepted for the organic gunshot and explosive constituents by MEKC
moment is SEM–EDX, which combines morphological was first applied by Northrop [115]. The separation was
(SEM) and elemental (EDX) identification of the metal rapid and efficient providing the separation of 26 organic
residues [107]. Although it is considered specific, heavy- gunshot and explosive constituents in less than 10 min,
metal analysis offers moderate diagnostic sensitivity, carried out by selecting different experimental parame-
requires expensive instrumentation and is highly ters such as SDS concentration, pH, addition of tetra-
demanding in terms of professional skills, manpower, alkylammonium salts, the capillary diameter and the
maintenance and service. As a result, its application as a injection times. CE in the MEKC mode has been applied,
routine technique is difficult. Besides, it has been recently in addition to other techniques (HPLC-UV, GC-MS) to the
found that some particles can be misidentified with monitoring of explosives and their degradation products
gunshot residues, decreasing the specificity of SEM-EDX in soil, groundwater and plants, in order to study
analysis [112]. Additionally, an emerging problem is potential environmental contamination produced by
given by the modern trend to produce primers free of pollution with these compounds [123].
heavy metals; this would lead to false negative results Another method was developed using MEKC for the
[113]. analysis of organic gunshot residues [124]. It described
For the above reasons, there is need for a fast, cheap proper sample collection and preparation before
and specific technique that can be used routinely in quantitation. Gunshot residues were collected from the
laboratories with a high workload. Meng and Caddy hands of individuals who had discharged a firearm and
[109] suggested that one way to enhance the specificity analyzed by MEKC.
of bulk analysis is to look simultaneously for inorganic The work of MacCrehan et al. [125] also explained the
and organic gunshot residues, (propellants (e.g., nitro- sampling protocols for the recovery of the organic
glycerin), stabilizers (e.g., resorcinol and diphenyl- components under a variety of sampling conditions to
amine), oxidant agents (e.g., barium), plasticizers improve the MEKC analysis. They described the collec-
(e.g., diethyl phthalate), fuels (e.g., antimony, calcium, tion of residue samples where external contaminants
magnesium and aluminium), bullet materials (e.g., (e.g., grease or blood that were present on the residue
nickel, zinc, copper, iron), or explosive lead). In this way, substrate) were investigated using protocols for both
there have been attempts to analyze separately organic tape lifts and solvent swabs. The same group analyzed

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Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007 Trends

organic additives in smokeless gunpowder by MEKC to diode-array UV detection, CE is more feasible than
evaluate residue contamination from previously fired gradient HPLC.
ammunition [126]. Cyclodextrins have also been used to enhance selec-
A protocol was also presented recently for collecting tivity in analyzing explosives by CE. Groom et al. [132]
and analyzing gunshot residues from hair using a fine- employed sulfobutyl ether-b-CD to separate cyclic nitr-
tooth comb [127]. Residues were collected from four amine explosives (e.g., 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,
weapons – a revolver, a semi-automatic pistol, a rifle and 10,12-hexaaza-isowurtzitane (CL-20), octahydro-1,3,5,
a shotgun. One characteristic additive, nitroglycerin, 7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), hexahydro-1,3,
was detected by CE in the majority of the collection 5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)) and their related degra-
experiments. dation intermediates.
In casework, MEKC has also been used to examine In order to separate inorganic and organic gunshot
characteristic organic gunpowder components (e.g., residues, a CE method was developed [133]. Pre-capil-
nitroglycerin, diphenylamine, and ethylcentralite) lary complexation-agent diaminocyclohexane tetraacetic
[128,129]. The first study compared the results of acid (CDTA) was used, since it forms stable anionic
MEKC analysis of the organic gunshot residues from complexes with 10 inorganic components of different
firing-range samples with SEM results for inorganic gunshot residues. Thus, in order to separate 11 organic
residues, indicating that this methodology is a poten- residues, it was necessary to add a micellar phase to the
tially valuable tool in the examination of gunshot-res- background electrolyte because almost all of the organic
idue evidence for characteristic organic gunpowder residues lacked any acid-base properties. Fig. 1 shows
compounds. Due to the numerous experimental and the corresponding electropherogram for the simulta-
instrumental variables to be optimized in the develop- neous separation of these organic and inorganic gunshot
ment of a MEKC methodology, Casamento et al. [130] residues under optimal conditions. To test the possibility
used artificial neural networks to optimize variables to of applying the method developed to real cases, residues
separate 12 explosives. Also, a work based on from shot samples from different firearms were analyzed
comparing MEKC employing SDS and gradient reverse- and their results compared with those obtained with ET-
phase HPLC, separated 14 organic explosive constitu- AAS, the conclusion being that there was good agree-
ents of gun powders [131], concluding that, using ment between both techniques. The method was tested

Figure 1. Simultaneous separation of organic and inorganic gunshot residues under optimal conditions. Electrolyte: 40 mM borate buffer, 16 mM
SDS, 0.5 mM diaminocyclohexane tetraacetic acid (CDTA), capillary: 79.2 cm (69.2 cm detection length) ·75 lm i.d. Hydrodynamic injection:
0.5 psi for 5 s at 25C, UV detection at 200 nm. (1) Sb (30), (2) resorcinol (11.1), (3) 2,4-dinitrotoluene (10.93), (4) 2,6-dinitrotoluene (14.57), (5)
Fe (10), (6) 2,3-dinitrotoluene (18.2), (7) dimethyl phthalate (6.0), (8) Ba (30), (9) Ca (20), (10) Mg (20), (11) Al (20), (12) Ni (20), (13) Zn (10), (14)
Pb (10), (15) Cu (20), (16) diethyl phthalate (17.8), (17) diphenylamine (16.9), (18) methyl centralite (14.4), (19) ethyl centralite (22.6), (20) dibutyl
phthalate (10). Standard concentrations in parentheses in mg/l (adapted from [133]).

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Trends Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007

on real samples collected from weapons and from hands method has been applied to the analysis of different
after firing. deflagrated explosives.
Inorganic ion analysis is also fundamental in the Nitrite and nitrate determinations can be used as
investigation of low levels of explosives and post-blast screening tools for investigating residues of firearm dis-
and gunshot residues. For this type of analysis, CZE charge due to the fact that these ions are major inor-
methodology has become really important because it is ganic components of gunshot residues. It has been
possible to perform anion and cation determinations demonstrated that use of CE allows rapid determination
using separate buffers for each analysis. When only one of these two anions, offering a quantitative, selective
CE system is available, the capillary and the buffer alternative to the traditional paraffin test (‘‘dermal
system must be changed and re-equilibrated in order to nitrate test’’) [141], being simpler, cheaper, and faster
switch between anion and cation analysis. This process than the modern approaches. The gunshot-residue
is often time-consuming and laborious. One way to analysis is based on the determination of barium, lead
eliminate this problem is to perform simultaneous anal- and antimony by flameless absorption spectrometry,
ysis, but this requires extensive modification to the ICP-MS or SEM. The analysis was carried out in a bare
instrumentation [134,135]. fused-silica capillary (75-lm inner diameter) with a
Johns et al. [136] reviewed the different simultaneous 100-mM borate buffer (pH 9.24). The detection was
ion-analysis techniques. An anion buffer is used with by UV absorption at 214 nm using reverse voltage of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in simulta- 15 kV. Sensitivity was about 1 mM for both nitrite and
neously running anions and chelated cations. The nitrate. Hair and skin samples from a victim shot in the
problem with this method of analysis is that the primary head were successfully analyzed for the presence of
cations of importance in detecting explosives residues nitrite and nitrate.
(e.g., potassium, ammonium, and sodium) do not form The growing need for fast, portable instrumentation to
stable complexes with EDTA [137]. determine the presence of explosive-compound residues
Another approach using a high-magnitude electro- in forensic applications has revealed that CE on a
osmotic flow (EOF) detected three anions and six cations microchip is emerging as a separation technique that is
from the same injection end. However, this method did attracting wide attention and gaining considerable
not use an anionic probe, and that limited the detection popularity. Because of miniaturization of the separation
of many anions [136]. format, CE on chips typically offers shorter analysis times
An alternative to this technique is the simultaneous and lower reagent consumption with the potential for
injection into both sides of a single capillary with the developing portable analytical instrumentation. Several
detector placed in the centre [134,138]. This is called papers have demonstrated the feasibility of microchip CE
dual-opposite injection. However, the problem is that for this purpose [142–145]. Recently, Vladislav and
most standard CE instruments are not configured in this Shaorong [146] reviewed the applications of microchip
way [135]. CE, focussing on many different samples, including
CZE has also been employed for analyzing inorganic explosives residues and warfare agents. Most of these
ions present in smokeless and muzzle-loading powders, applications use electrochemical detection (ECD) because
which are formed during powder production, and those nitroaromatic explosives possess good redox properties.
formed after deflagration [139]. Anion and cation Among these works, a contactless conductivity detector
analysis used indirect and direct UV detection with dif- is noticeable for the analysis of low-energy ionic explo-
ferent electrolyte composition for each type of analysis. sives and nerve-agent degradation products [147] and
Recently, a novel electrolyte was developed for the an amperometric detector for the analysis of nitroaro-
simultaneous separation of cations and anions in low matic explosives, organophosphate nerve agents and
levels of explosives residues, this being the first report on phenols [148]. Also, analysis of a mixture of four
simultaneous detection of both anions and cations using explosives (TNT; 2,4-TNT; 2,6-TNT; and, 2,3-DNT) was
CZE in this application [140]. This electrolyte contained carried out in less than 130 s, using an SDS/borate
15 mM a-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) as the buffer, buffer at a detection potential of 0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl
6 mM imidazole as the cation chromophore, 3 mM [143].
1,3,6-naphthalenentrisulfonic acid (NTS) as the anion Wallenborg and Bailey [145] suggested indirect laser-
chromophore, 4 mM 18-crown-6 ether as a cation induced fluorescence (LIF) detection for separation and
selectivity modifier, and 5% (v/v) acetonitrile as an detection of different explosives on a microchip using
organic modifier. The pH was adjusted to 6.5 using tet- MEKC. To achieve indirect fluorescence detection, 5 lM
ramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAOH), an EOF of cyanine derivative (Cy7) was added to the background
modifier. The results provided a simultaneous indirect electrolyte, the excitation being provided by a near-IR
photometric analysis of both anions and cations with diode laser operating at 750 nm. EPA 8339 mixture
LODs in the range 0.5–5 ppm for anions and 10–15 ppm containing 14 explosives could be analyzed at the ppm
for cations with a total run time of under 7 min. The level in less than 1 min in a 65-mm long capillary. They

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Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007 Trends

obtained 10 peaks corresponding to trinitrobenzene, Evidence from handwritten notes has been a hallmark
dinitrobenzene, trinitrotoluene, tetryl, 2,4-DNT, 2,6- of crime detection for a long time, and forensic tech-
DNT, 2-amino-4,6-DNT, and 4-amino-2,6-DNT, when nology needs to develop the use of more sophisticated
2-, 3- and 4-nitrotoluene were not resolved, and nitr- techniques to solve the problems. Separation methods
amines HMX and RDX showed rather high LODs. provide compositional information rarely available
Microchip CE has also been tested for the measure- through the use of non-destructive techniques. For this
ment of nitroaromatic explosives with a simple interface reason, after 1950, chromatographic techniques to
that permitted sample introduction directly on the sep- analyze inks started with paper chromatography
aration channel through a sharp inlet tip placed in the [160,161]. Although it remained a popular method for
sample vial, and the reproducibility was acceptable discriminating inks in the 1960s, paper chromato-
[149]. graphy was effectively replaced by thin-layer
All of these methods have demonstrated that rapid, chromatography (TLC) [150,158,162,172], because the
reproducible assays for the analysis of explosives and latter had superior resolution. Though TLC has been
gunshot residues can be provided in a variety of appli- widely used for the analysis of inks due to its ease of use
cations, in a single run. and low cost, its resolution was limited, so it is powerless
in differentiating between formulations or distinguishing
2.2. Inks and dyes between different branches of ink having the same
Verification and authentication of printed documents general formula.
just from the inks that have been used has long been a For this reason, both paper chromatography and TLC
major problem for forensic scientists, customs officials have been been substituted by HPLC [153,163–167].
and historians. From a forensic perspective, although HPLC is a destruc-
The ability to differentiate between inks is of great tive method, it offers detailed information regarding the
interest in forensic science because it allows evaluation concentration of the different components of inks.
of the authenticity of a suspicious document [150], for Recently, research has evaluated and compared the
which inks are considered a class of evidence in forensic application of a destructive technique (e.g., HPLC) with a
cases, the manufacture involving large-scale blending of non-destructive technique (e.g., IR) for characterizing
chemicals [151]; also, the dating of ink has been of sci- blue-ballpoint-pen inks [168]. This study concluded that
entific interest for many years [152]. HPLC of pen inks, coupled with chemometrics, is a more
Modern demands for specialized writing and printing powerful discriminating tool for the forensic chemist than
instruments have resulted in an explosion of ink formu- chemometric analysis of IR data collected using non-
lations, each of which may contain dozens of chemical destructive methods.
components (e.g., acid or basic dyes, organic or inorganic Among the different chromatographic techniques, GC
colour pigments, surfactants, antioxidants, viscosity has known limited applications in the field of ink analysis
adjusters, resins, glycol and glycerol, waxes, oils, and because most visible components of inks are virtually
pigments) [153,154]. Table 1 (B) shows the main com- non-volatile; applications have primarily focussed on
ponents of inks together with their characteristics. The dating of inks by analyzing volatile components that
wide array of materials used in inks, coupled with the comprise the vehicle, especially for photocopy toners
possibility of contamination from the writing surface, as [169] rather than inks [170].
well as chemical changes as ink ages, make separation As can be seen from the literature, HPLC is still the
techniques a requisite for the analysis of such complex most widely used separation technique for analyzing
mixtures. As may be deduced, forensic ink chemists face a inks, but it requires greater technical skill on the part of
very complex, challenging analytical problem in carrying the operator, a large ink sample, and greater costs than
out this type of analysis, as sophisticated writing instru- the chromatographic techniques used before HPLC.
ments and printing technologies have emerged. Nevertheless, although it is a relatively new analytical
There are two major categories of pens: ballpoint and technique, CE has already found several applications in
non-ballpoint. However, the former account for more forensic sciences due to the many advantages it offers
than 80% of the cases requiring ink analysis. Both over traditional modes of separation. Unlike many other
chemical and physical examinations have used numer- analytical methods, the basic hardware typical for CE
ous techniques that can also be differentiated – into non- instrumentation can be adapted to suit a wide variety of
destructive and destructive. Prior to 1950, the non- analytes without substantial costs or difficulties. This is
destructive techniques (e.g., infrared spectroscopy (IR) really important in ink analysis because different ink
[155–157], UV-Visible and fluorescence detection types contain materials with widely varying properties,
[158,159]) were the most widely employed together making their identification difficult based on a single
with other techniques, in which the document examin- separation method suitable for all components of a single
ers relied on filter photography, alternate light sources ink, not to mention the development of a general method
and chemical spot tests, to differentiate ink samples. suitable for all types of inks.

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For the forensic scientist, perhaps the most important other. Another work on these types of inks used CZE
characteristic of CE is the extraordinarily small sample with UV/Vis absorbance and LIF detection [151]. Good
requirement (nanoliters), which is often advantageous in results for the separation of 17 blue and black fountain-
minimizing the destruction of the document being tested. pen inks were obtained.
Usually, UV-Vis photodiode-array detection (190–600 UV/Vis scans can be used to compare spectra of the
nm) is used to detect most of the ink components. The separated main and trace components of inks. Fluores-
process is automated and fast, and results can be stored cence detection at different excitation and emission
electronically, allowing the development of a searchable wavelengths was more sensitive, but added to the com-
reference library. The process is not limited to pen inks, plexity of the electropherograms due to the excitation of
as it can also be applied to food dyes, textile dyes and ink- co-extracted fluorescing paper components. The resolv-
jet dyes. Further, it detects non-dye ink additives that ing power of CE combined with the information content
could be used as identifiers. provided by these two detection modes proved CE to be a
Compared to HPLC, electrophoretic techniques have powerful tool for identifying fountain-pen inks used on
not yet been extensively applied to analyze inks, despite paper documents.
the fact that they are characterized by high resolving McManus et al. [178] used CE in analyzing water-
power and are inherently suitable to separate charged soluble inks of fountain and felt-tip pens, when the best
compounds (e.g., most of the acid and basic dye com- results were obtained using MEKC in the presence of
ponents of inks). Recently, Aginsky [171] summarized mixed micelles of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Brij
the different techniques (chromatographic and electro- 35. The separation was reproducible and led to baseline
phoretic) that can be employed for analyzing inks and, resolution of most of the components. Inks of different
especially, ink dating. manufacturers yielded electropherograms with distinctly
In 1991, Fanalli and Schudel [172] reported the first different patterns, and the authors concluded that CE is a
CE method for analyzing inks. They described a series of potentially powerful tool for identifying water-soluble
liquid black inks and red water-soluble fibre-tipped pen writing inks of marker pens (e.g., felt-tip, fibre-tip, plastic
inks that were quantitatively distinguishable. They tip and metal-tips) and roller-ball pens [177].
found clear differences between the electrophoretic pat- The effectiveness and the limitations of HPLC were
terns from different felt-tip-pen inks using a mixture of compared with CE for discriminating red- and blue-pen
0.1 M ammonium acetate (pH 4.5) in presence of inks [179]. CE is more useful than reversed-phase HPLC
methanol (3:1) as running buffer, and a coated capillary in discriminating between aqueous pen inks that contain
(20 cm · 25 lm I.D.) with UV detection at 206 nm. ionic dyestuffs. CE using 15-mM borate buffer (pH 8.8)
They observed excellent peak shape and resolution of the gives significant differences in the electropherogram to
ink components. They extracted dye spots separated by 22 out of 26 red roller-ball and marker-pen inks. To
TLC and added them to the same ink sample to check by distinguish 22 inks, CE of aqueous blue-pen inks con-
analyte addition the identity of the well-resolved, but taining basic dyestuffs required addition of b-cyclodex-
individually unknown, CZE peaks. Since this first appli- trin and ethanol to the carrier electrolyte.
cation, CE has been applied to all different types of pen Ballpoint-pen inks contain a variety of components,
inks going from fountain-pen inks [151,173–176], including dyes, additives and solvents. Some attempts
water-soluble inks [177–179], ballpoint-pen inks have been made to separate and determine these com-
[180–182] and red- and blue-pen inks and dyes [179]. ponents using CE. In comparison to water-soluble
One study focussed on separating blue and black foun- fountain-pen inks, ballpoint-pen inks are less soluble or
tain-pen inks in the original liquid form and dried on dif- insoluble in water, and contain only few components. A
ferent substrate materials [173]. After optimizing the CE method with UV/Vis absorbance and LIF detection
conditions of separation, diode-array UV-Vis and LIF optimized separation of ink extracts from paper material
detection were employed. In addition, non-destructive [180]. For this method, different buffers, organic modi-
proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectrometry was fiers and surfactants were tested. Good results were ob-
used to characterize the elemental composition of dried tained with a 50-mM borate buffer (pH 9.0) containing
inks on different substrate materials, concluding that, 50% acetonitrile. Reproducible extraction procedures as
despite the fact that the CE technique for ink analysis has well as separations were able to quantitate the ink peaks
demonstrated successful applications, further efforts need within 1–8% standard deviation. Electropherograms of
to be directed towards stacking to preconcentrate ink ex- 20 inks of various origins showed patterns that, in most
tracts and eliminate dye signals for substrate materials. cases, distinctly differed from each other.
Rohde et al. [174] demonstrated that CE separation MEKC was also applied to the separation of dyes in
was reproducible and led to baseline resolution of almost black ball-point-pen inks [181]. Analysis used standard
all components of 15 blue and black fountain-pen inks of mixtures (methyl violet B, Victoria blue B and solvent
various manufacturers and countries of origin, showing black 3) and sample requirements were evaluated for a
patterns that, in most cases, distinctly differed from each black ballpoint-pen ink extracted from paper.

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Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007 Trends

Zlotnick and Smith [182] also utilized MEKC for ground electrolyte (BGE) was 100-mM borate buffer (pH
analyzing 10 liquid black roller-ball-pen inks with UV- 9.5) with 25-mM SDS at 25C and 30 kV. This yielded a
absorption diode-array detection at 214 nm. The back- distinct electropherogram for most pens and an analysis

Figure 2. Electropherogram of different black roller-ball pens using 100 mM borate-25 mM SDS buffer (pH 9.5) run at 30 kV and 25C:
(A) Faber-Castell fine metal point (Japan); (B) Micro Fashion Roller (Korea); (C) Pilot Precise V5 extra fine point (Japan); (D) Tombo roll
pen (Japan); (E) Sanford Uniball Vision micro waterproof/fadeproof (Japan); (F) Sanford Uniball fine (Japan) (adapted from [182]).

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Trends Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2007

time of less than 15 min, yielding individual ‘‘finger- have not so far found any application of CE for this type
prints’’ of different inks that allowed their recognition. of analysis, so that opens a new line of research for the
The different electropherograms for each liquid roller- future.
ball pen are shown in Fig. 2. The results demonstrated
the potential of CE for analyzing such samples and the
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