Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology Page 1 of 15

Ink and Paint

Topic: Ink and Paints

WELCOME CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS

I. INTRODUCTION:
.Paint can be important evidence in criminal investigations. When most of us think about paint.
We think about pulling colors on our walls or choosing a paint color for our vehicles. However, paint
can be powerful forensic that can be utilized to solve crimes like glass, fibers, and hair, Paint is
considered to be trace evidence. In other words, it is evidence that transferred from a main source to
the scene of a crime. Therefore, this module discusses, the importance of ink and paint in evidence for
criminal investigations.

II. OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
 Differentiate Ink ,Pigment and Paints
 Describe the Importance of Ink Analysis in Forensics
 Explain the Process of Forensic Examination of Paints

III. PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES:

Before you proceed to the main lesson, let’s complete this activity.

Directions: Read the short summary of the video about: Ink Analysis for Forensic
Investigators.
According to Graham Reed, Researcher
University of Strithcyde. In analysis paint, is important part
of the investigation of questioned documents including
Forced checks, wills, or altered records. This involves
scanning the ink with ultraviolet or infrared light to record Figure1: The Disappearance of the
its spectrum that is the wavelengths of light it absorbs. Sodder Children image
Although all blue or black inks may look the same, there
came become important differences in their chemical compositions. Thin Layer
Chromatography (TLC), is the main method of destructive testing analysis the sample placed
in a test tube with a solvent that dissolves the ink. Spectrometry is a method of studying and
measuring a specific spectrum, and it’s widely used for the spectroscopic analysis of sample.
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Ink and Paint

. GREAT!!!
You may now proceed to the main lesson.

IV. LESSON PROPER:

Based on the preliminary activities, what did you notice about it?
________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS!
You may now proceed to the lesson.

INK AND PAINT

WHAT IS INK?
Ink refers to a mixture of dyes and pigments, either in liquid or paste form. This is used to color a
surface in order to produce an image, text, or design.

Figure2: Utilizing the layer –chromatography in ink analysis

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=ink+analysis+for+forensic+investigators+images&rlz=

FOUR COMPONENTS OF INKS

1. Vehicles (binders) 4. Carrier substances
2. Colorants
3. Additives
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Ink and Paint

FOR CLASSES OF INK

1. Aqueous 3. Power
2. Liquid 4. Paste
PIGMENTS
Pigments are solid or opaque particles suspended in ink to provide color. Pigment inks are used
more often than dyes because they more color- fast.

Figure3:Identifying Paint Pigments in Forensic Examination

source: https://www.google.com/search?q=pigments+forensic+images&rlz=1C
Dye – based inks are generally much stronger than pigment – base inks and can produce more
vivid colors of a given density per unit of mass.

Figure4:From the crime scene to the courtroom- the journey of a DNA sample
Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=dye+forensic+image

IMPORTANCE OF INK ANALYSIS IN FORENSICS

Ink analysis plays an essential role in the investigation of questioned documents, including forged
checks, wills, or altered records.
ANALYSIS OF INKS
1. SPECTROMETRY
The main method of non-destructive ink analysis is micro spectrometry, which involves scanning
the ink with the ultraviolet or infrared light to record its spectra (i.e. the wavelengths of light it absorbs).
 Raman Spectroscopy- can also use to supplement micro spectrophotometry.
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Ink and Paint

Figure 5:Mass Spectrometry in Forensic

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=spectrometry+forensic
2. MICROSCOPHIC ANALYSIS
Using this method, the investigator can see slight changes in ink color that are not visible to the
naked eye.

Figure6:Mcroscopic Analysis of sample stock image

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=microscopic+analysis +
3. CHROMATOGRAPHY
Chromatography means “writing with colors” the main method of destructive testing of inks is known as thin
layer chromatography (TLC).

Figure 7:Application in Forensic Science

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Ink and Paint

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=chromatography+forensic++images

 Handwriting Analysis- involves a comprehensive comparative analysis between a questioned

document and known hand writing of a suspected writer.

PAINT
This is a type of colored liquid applied to a surface in order to decorate or protect it or to create an
image on a surface. Collect specimens of paint from all areas which the tools may have contracted the
entire crime scene.

Figure8:Forensic Paint Analysis

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=paint+forensic+images&rlz

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PAINTS

1. Pigments 3. Vehicle
2. Solvents 4. Special paints

FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF PAINTS

This can be done in several ways:
1. Comparison of paint pigment
A. Neutron activation analysis
B. Emission spectroscopy (can identify – 15 to 20 elements
C. X-ray diffraction and x-ray spectroscopy
2. Side by side comparison for surface, texture, color, and color layer sequence
3. Comparison of binders
A. Presence of polymer – pyrolysis gas chromatography
B. Binder composition- infrared spectrophotometry
4. Determining the make and model of car.

We had just finished the discussion on Ink and Paints.

Let’s move on to the next higher level of activity/ies or exercise/s
that demonstrates your potential skills/knowledge of what you
have learned.
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Ink and Paint

V. ANALYSIS, APPLICATION AND EXPLORATION:

ACTIVITY 1

Name: ______________________________ Course & Section: __________

Directions: Tick the box with denotes the different components and classes of Ink.

Vehicle (binders)

Aqueous

Milk and sugar

Additives

Carrier substances

Powder
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Ink and Paint

ACTIVITY 2

Name: __________________________ Course & Section:_______________

Directions: Choose the word described in each sentences. Write your answer on the space
provided for you.

Ink Pigments Dyes Chromatography Spectrometry

___________ 1.Which refers to a mixture of dyes and pigments, either in liquid or paste form?
___________ 2. Which pertains to a solid or opaque particles suspended in ink to provide
color?
___________ 3.Which refers to writing with colors?
___________ 4.Which involves scanning the ink with ultraviolet or infrared light to record its
spectra?
___________ 5.Which pertains to a based inks are generally much stronger than pigment-
based inks and can produce more vivid colors of a given density per unit of mass?
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Ink and Paint

Activity 3

Name:_____________________________ Course & Section:________________

Directions: Write T, if the statement is CORRECT and F, if the statement is NOT. Write your answer on the
space provided for you.

--------- 1. Paint films are characterized by various physical and chemical features.

_____ 2 . Presence of polymer is infrared spectrophotometry.

_____ 3. Binder composition refers to pyrolysis gas chromatography.

_____ 4. Forensic examination of paints can be done in comparison of paint pigment.

_____ 5. Ink analysis plays an essential role in the investigation of questioned documents, including forged
checks, wills, or altered records.

Finally, let us summarize the lesson of what we had discussed today.

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Ink and Paint

VI. GENERALIZATION:

AS REVIEW, ANSWER THE QUESTION BELOW: Rubric is attached for reference.

What is the importance of ink analysis in forensics?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Level Description Score

 Well written and very organized.
 Excellent grammar mechanics.
OUTSTANDING  Clear and concise statements. 9-10
 Excellent effort and presentation with detail.
 Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic.
 Writes fairly clear.
 Good grammar mechanics.
GOOD 7-8
 Good presentation and organization.
 Sufficient effort and detail
 Minimal effort.
 Good grammar mechanics.
FAIR 6
 Fair presentation.
 Few supporting details.
 Somewhat unclear.
 Shows little effort.
POOR  Poor grammar mechanics. 5
 Confusing and choppy, incomplete sentences.
 No organization of thoughts.

KUDOS!
V
You have come to an end of Module 15
OOPS! Don’t forget that you have still an assignment to do.
Here it is….
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Ink and Paint

Name: ______________________________ Course Section: __________

Direction/Instruction. Answer the question. Rubric is attached for reference.

Essay: How is handwriting analysis used in forensics?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Level Description Score

 Well written and very organized.
 Excellent grammar mechanics.
OUTSTANDING  Clear and concise statements. 9-10
 Excellent effort and presentation with detail.
 Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic.
 Writes fairly clear.
 Good grammar mechanics.
GOOD 7-8
 Good presentation and organization.
 Sufficient effort and detail
 Minimal effort.
 Good grammar mechanics.
FAIR 6
 Fair presentation.
 Few supporting details.
 Somewhat unclear.
 Shows little effort.
POOR  Poor grammar mechanics. 5
 Confusing and choppy, incomplete sentences.
 No organization of thoughts.
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Ink and Paint

VIII. EVALUATION:

Name:_______________________________ Course & Section: ____________

Direction/Instruction: Write the letter of the correct answer on the space before each number.
__________1.Which refers to a mixture of dyes and pigments, either in liquid or paste form?

a. Ink
b. Dyes
c. Pigments
d. Colors
______2. This pertains to main method of non-destructive ink analysis. Which involves scanning
the ink with ultraviolet of infrared light to record its spectra.( e.g. wavelengths of light it absorbs)?
a. Micro-spectrophotometry.
b. Spectrophotometry
c. Microscopic analysis
d. Chromatography
_____3.Which refers to solid or opaque particles suspended in ink to provide color. They are used
more often that dyes because they are more color-fast?
a. Dyes
b. Pigments
c. Ink
d. Solution
_____4.The following are components of inks EXCEPT:
a. Addictive
b. Colorants
c. Carrier substances
d. Solution
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Ink and Paint

______5.What type of method that the investigator can see slight changes in ink color those are
not visible to the naked eye. Such as changes could indicate alterations, obliteration, and
overwriting?
a. Chromatography
b. Microscopic analysis
c. Spectrometry
d. Micro-spectrophotometry
_____6.Which pertains to writing with colors?
a. Microscopic analysis
b. Spectrometry
c. Chromatography
d. Micro-spectrophotometry
_____7.What is another technique that can be used as an alternative to TLC that involves injecting
the ink sample onto a long, thin metal column that is then washed over with a mixture of solvents?
a. HPLC
b. Handwriting analysis
c. UV
d. Non UV
_____8.The following are classes of ink EXCEPT:
a. Liquid
b. Paste
c. Aqueous
d. Gas
_____9.One important aspect of forensic paint analysis is_________.
a. The identification of the possible year of manufacture, make, and model of a motor vehicle.
b. The liquid applied to surface in order to decorate or protect.
c. The invention of dye that react with cellulose to permanently color the paper.
d. Used to color a surface in order to produce an image.
______10.Which refers to a Non –destructive or minimally destructive methods, that can be used
to supplement micro-spectrophotometry?
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Ink and Paint

a. Raman spectroscopy
b. Roman spectroscopy
c. Microscopic analysis
d. Chromatography

CONGRATULATIONS on reaching the

end of this module!
You may now proceed to the next module.
Don’t forget to submit all the exercises,
activities and portfolio
On ___________________.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Well Done!!!