There are many pics pse click URL here to see, they show you magic inks that vanish or appeart later.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090536X13000622
Different types of inks having certain medicolegal importance: Deciphering the faded and physically erased handwriting
Manal Abd-ElAziz Abd-ElZaher
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Abstract
Disappearing ink is a type of ink which could be used to forge documents as it will fade away without any trace within 40–65 h. Erasable ink is another type of ink easily removed by certain rubbers incorporated in each pen. Both types of inks were applied separately on different types of papers (checks, standard white foolscap, and plain white A4 paper). For vanishing ink, it was observed visually in the first 6 h and then every 6 h. It was found that the vanishing ink disappeared completely within 2 h on checks, 36 h on standard white foolscap paper, and 40 h on plain white A4 paper. For erasable ink, the written strokes were manipulated manually using the incorporated eraser. Deciphering the faded writing failed by the conventional methods, but oblique light can reveal the indentation marks. The faded writing became visible when treated with weak alkaline (NaOH) solutions. Erasable ink was deciphered with the aid of infra-red radiation combined with VSC-6000 as clear white traces against red fluorescence. It was concluded that the use of a weak (NaOH) solution is an effective method for revealing the faded writing, and the infra-red illumination is also effective.
Keywords
Vanishing inkErasable inkFraudDeciphering
1 Introduction
Inks that are visible for a period of time without the intention of being made visible again are called disappearing inks. Not all disappearing inks rely on the chemical reaction of thymolphthalein and a basic substance such as sodium hydroxide.
Thymolphthalein, which is normally colorless, turns blue in solution reacting with the base. As the base reacts with carbon dioxide (always present in the air), the PH drops below 10.5, and the color disappears.1
Amazing vanishing ink pens are types of pens containing inks developed by chemical reaction. Magic pens entered the country via illegal methods and were sold at low prices. The magic pen resembles a normal pen, but the ink differs. Recently, certain types of porous tip pen inks appeared in markets; such pens use auto-vanishing fluid inks. The main basic structural unit in such inks is of an acidic nature which could be affected by the surrounding environmental changes (humidity, temperature and so on).2
Disappearing inks are used in the textile industry such as dressmaking crafts, and as a kind of teaching material; for example, printed questions are visible and the spaces for an answer exhibit disappearing ink. The answers only become visible using a coloring assistant.3
Disappearing inks are also used in paints. For example, when applying a new paint of a similar shade over an existing coating of white paint, it is difficult to determine the area which is not painted, but using the disappearing ink solves the problem. They can also be used as a marking system (a sole marking system) for dance lessons, sports, training of any other activities that require the proper placement of feet.4
Forensic document examiners are frequently facing the problem of vanished writings. In trials to demonstrate such vanished writings, there are two ways: either non-destructive methods (using magnifying hand lenses, electronic microscopes, different types of light, infrared illumination), or the destructive methods by the aid of chemicals. Usually the images cannot be retrieved under UV light.5
Other types of inks are now available which can be erased simply by swiping by a special rubber incorporated in each pen over the original text. These inks have been used for fraudulent purposes. Forensic scientists especially in the examination of questioned documents have long been familiar with the erasable ball-pen sold in the UK under the product name “Replay” and manufactured by Paper Mate. The long established Paper Mate “Replay” erasable ball-pens have been rebranded in the UK as “Eraser.Max”: a recent addition to this class of writing instruments is the pilot “Frixion” erasable roller ball pen.6
The questioned document examiner is frequently faced with the problem of detecting the site of an erasure on a questioned document to detect that an erasure has been made and certain entries have been removed, altered or added, a document may ultimately determine the outcome of a contested civil matter, or may even directly determine guilt or innocence in a criminal trial. Fraudulent documents to which alterations and additions have been made by erasing the original entries are frequently produced by unscrupulous persons in an effort to prove an unjust claim.7
2 Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to decipher the vanishing and erasable inks, and to trace the methods involved in detecting such a particular type of fraud in a manner that could be easily used by all forensic document examiners, and to make these results demonstrable in the courtroom setting.
3 Materials and methods
3.1 Material
(I)
Pens:
1-
Ballpoint disappearing marking pen for dressmaking craft containing blue colored ink. It was obtained from a local sewing machine center (El-Badrasheen Factory). It is made in China.
2-
Ballpoint pen containing blue colored erasable ink. The pen with a small eraser incorporated within the pen. It was obtained from a library in El-Fagalaha Street.
3-
Paper Specimens:
4-
Paper (1): Bank checks were obtained from a library. This safety paper came in the five most popular colors requested by the local banks.
5-
Paper (2): Standard ruled white foolscap paper (60 gm/m2).
6-
Paper (3): A plain white A4 paper (printing paper) (80 gm/m2).
(II)
Equipment:
1-
Magnifying glasses.
2-
Ultraviolet lamp (Corning, 23 V–50 Hz).
3-
Projectina Docucenter incorporates an infra-red lamp with a Video Spectral Comparator (VSC-6000), connected to a monitor that allows the differences in inks to be observed and recorded. Manufactured by Messrs Foster and Freeman Ltd. It was in the Department of Questioned Document Examiners in Authority of Forensic Sciences (Ministry of Justice – Egypt). Green light (wavelength 480–620 nm or nanometer) was directed at the document. An IR filter (645 nm) was inserted in front of the video camera of the unit.
4-
A digital camera (10 megapixel).
5-
Diluted sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions at concentrations (0.1–0.2–0.3) of a laboratory grade, from the Biochemistry department-faculty of Medicine – Minia University.
3.2 Methods
The three types of papers were each marked with the ink from the two types of pens separately. Names from mobile phone contacts were chosen to be written on the examined papers.
–
According to El-Molla et al.8 regarding the vanishing ink, the papers were observed visually to see if the ink disappeared, and if so, how long this process took. The writings were observed continuously in the first 6 h, and then every 6 h for 3 consecutive days.
–
According to Welch9 regarding the erasable ink, the ink lines were manipulated using the eraser that is incorporated within the body of the pen.
3.2.1 Optical deciphering
The following methods were employed in an attempt to detect the disappeared writings:
–
Magnifying glasses and the different light sources (direct and oblique light).
–
Ultraviolet and Infra-red illumination (VSC-6000 photos were scanned and fitted in the article).
3.2.2 Chemical deciphering
NaOH solutions were then sprayed over the suspected writing using an atomizer to obtain a very fine mist which fills lightly on the paper. The camera was then ready to take a picture as the writing will become visible for only a few seconds and then returns to its state of invisibility. Photographs were taken by the aid of the digital camera focused on 1.5 at 20 cm. and examined by the picture manager and fax viewer programs.
4 Results
4.1 Vanishing inks
The fading time (time from writing until disappearance of the color) varied according to the paper type. The first 2 h showed a dramatic invisible ink on paper (1). The first 3 h period showed very little change to the ink on the papers (2 and 3). By completion of 4 h, the ink on paper (2) began to show a great indication of lightening in color. At the end of 36 h, there was a great deterioration in ink visibility on paper (3), but it was still easily readable. By completion of 40 h, the ink on papers (2 and 3) had completely disappeared (Table 1).
Table 1. Showing the different fading times on the examined paper.
Type of paper Slight indication of lightening in color Slight deterioration of visibility Dramatic deterioration of visibility (1) 30 min 1:40 h 2 h (2) 3 h 24 h 40 h (3) 3 h 36 h 40 h
The traditional methods of examination (magnifying glasses and the direct light sources) failed to detect the invisible ink. However, as shown in Fig. 1, the oblique lightening techniques proved the indentation marks left on the paper surface.
Figure 1. Showing the vanishing ink under the oblique light.
Both UV light and IR illumination failed to prove the vanishing ink on the examined papers. UV light examination proved a few ink strokes on paper (1) by the completion of 2 h, but later on failed completely to discover any remaining ink.
A4 paper provided better writing stability than the standard ruled foolscap and lastly the bank check paper. On application of the weak alkaline NaOH solutions, the faded writing becomes visible for a few minutes (Table 2) (Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4), and then returns to its state of invisibility. With increasing the concentration of the alkaline solution, the duration of stability of the ink was increased. This procedure was carefully repeated up to 20 times with the same results and with no apparent damage to the paper itself. The most resistant paper for chemical deciphering was paper (1) as just a single simple dust with the alkaline solution will reveal the faded writing, and once more it will disappear again.
Table 2. Showing the duration of stability of the ink on application of NaOH solutions.
Duration of stability of ink after spraying alkaline solutions Paper (1) Paper (2) Paper (3) NaOH (0.1%) (5:7) min (13:15) min (15:20) min NaOH (0.2%) (5:6) min (10:13) min (15:25) min NaOH (0.3%) 6 min 15 min 27 min
Figure 2. Showing deciphering of the faded writing on the foolscap paper by the alkaline solution (NaOH 0.3%).
Figure 3. Showing deciphering of the faded writing on the check by the alkaline solution (NaOH 0.3%).
Figure 4. Showing deciphering of the faded writing on the A4 paper by the alkaline solution (NaOH 0.3%).
4.2 Erasable ink
The accessibility of erasure in relation to time passed since writing was not altered over the whole 3-day interval with regard to the examined paper documents. Direct light can reveal slight indentation marks exerted by the pen pressure (Fig. 5).
Figure 5. Showing the light indentation marks of the erasable ink on the paper surface under the direct light.
Under UV light examination, the erased colorless lines could not be seen clearly (Fig. 6) under conditions of IR luminescence; the ink lines appear luminescent as white lines against the red fluorescence background of the standard paper with higher wave lengths (Fig. 7). The erased ink lines can be seen as faint red lines with the lower IR wave lengths (480:620). Under UV light, the erasable ink lines provide a faint blue color before rubbing with the eraser (Fig. 8).
Figure 6. Showing the erasable ink after swiping with the eraser.
Figure 7. Showing the erased ink strokes which could be revealed under IR filter at 645 nm (VSC-6000).
Figure 8. Showing the faint blue ink strokes of the erasable ink under UV light.
5 Discussion
Disappearing ink is a substance that is made from a number of chemicals with the purpose of having the ink visible to the eye for only a certain period of time. This type of ink is made without the intention of becoming visible again once it has disappeared. It operates on the principle of acid/base chemistry. The ink is blue because a particular molecule in the solution, “thymolphthalein”, turns blue in the solution that is basic. The same molecule is colorless under neutral conditions; not all disappearing inks are based on the described mechanism. The best example is the Frixion Ball pen.10
Thymolphthalein is a substance that is usually colorless, but when it is mixed with sodium hydroxide, it turns into a blue solution. This solution disappears, however, once the solution has been exposed to carbon dioxide in the air. This causes the PH level to drop below 10.5 which makes the color disappear. Because of the disappearing effect of this type of ink, it has been used in a number of instances. For example, in some cases the disappearing ink is used on private documents that only need to be visible for a certain period of time.4
Thymolphthalein is an acid–base (PH) indicator. Its transition range is at approximately PH = 9.3;10.5. Below this PH, it is colorless, above this PH, it is blue. Disappearing ink is a water-based indicator that changes from a colored status by common PH indicators for the ink as thymolphthalein (blue), or phenolphthalein (red or pink). Then the ink becomes more acidic upon exposure to air, causing color change. To make disappearing inks, add 10 gm. of Thymolphthalein for blue ink or phenolphthalein for red ink, plus 10 ml. ethyl alcohol (ethanol) in 90 ml. water. Finally add 20 drops of 3 M. sodium hydroxide solution in 100 ml. water.11
For example, disappearing ink has been used to commit a rare form of fraud. In such cases, the forger chemically alters the ink substance so that it disappears in several hours or days rather than a few minutes. Then the forger fills in the blanks to his or her advantage.12
In most jurisdictions, passing a check for an amount of money the writer knows is not in the account at the time of negotiation (or available for overdraft protection) is usually considered a violation of criminal law. However, the general practice followed by banks has been to refrain from prosecuting the bank after sufficient funds had been deposited, thereby allowing it to clear. But the account holder is normally held fully liable for all bank penalties, civil penalties, and criminal charges allowable by law in such an event.13
Multiple previous studies confirmed that there is a fixed relationship between the auto-vanishing inks and the types of paper used. On certain security documents printed with golden paints, writings with auto-vanishing inks are still visible for even longer than 5 days, but disappeared completely on other secured yellow, white colored paper documents after less than 56 h. Demonstrating such inks was successful on the blue and pale yellow colored paper documents by the aid of ultra-violet lights; meanwhile, further non-destructive methods including different types of light and microscopic examinations failed completely on the white paper documents.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
Parallel to the current results, it is preferable to use highly diluted sodium hydroxide solutions to reveal such faded handwritings owing to their effect on the disappearing inks without any harmful effects on the remnant inks on the paper surface. The cautious use of the diluted sodium hydroxide solution can reveal faded handwritings up to 20 times without any visible destructive effects on the paper document.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
A certain case was brought to the laboratory by a local law enforcement officer with a request to examine it for alteration. It was reported that the check had been cashed in the amount of $200.00 on Friday evening, and when it reached the bank for processing, the following Monday morning, the amount reflected only $200. The routine examination by using a stereo-zoom microscope with magnification ranging from 10 to 60 showed nothing unusual in this examination. The check when examined using an oblique light source, ultraviolet light and by using various barrier filters and differing light sources, nothing unusual was observed in any of these examinations.14 In the current study, the oblique light revealed only the indentation marks, but failed to reveal any ink strokes.
Disappearing inks have been used in different fields, but it may be abused in forgery and counterfeiting. The prepared auto-vanishing inks were applied to different types of handwriting papers. Deciphering the faded handwriting did not respond to different light sources. All the faded handwriting was visible when treated with alkaline solution.8
The fading time of disappearing ink in the current results varied between 2 to 40 h on the examined paper documents. In another study,8 the fading time varied between 40 to 56 h. This could be referred to the different types of the examined paper documents.
For a vanishing ink, the different fading times on the examined papers are attributable to the different properties of the used papers. The ink on the plain A4 white paper was more stable than the standard ruled paper, and the check paper was the least stable for the vanishing ink. This was attributable to the physical properties of these types of papers. The check showed a high-absorption of the ink with subsequent accelerated reduction in the PH value. The plain A4 paper surface fibers are coated with polymer. This coating increases the PH value.
The erasable pen has a small eraser fitted into the pen tip. It removes the bulk of the written line, but a pale trace of it remains readily visible to the unaided eyes. The action of the eraser is not so much to abrade the ink-line, but to generate heat through friction and decolorize the ink-line. Not coinciding with the recent findings, the decline of the ease of erasure with increasing time from writing is not a reported characteristic and methods of determining the erased words were also different.15
Document examiners–particularly those who evaluate evidence in criminal matters–are frequently faced with problems involving erasures. A method of detecting the site of a mechanical abrasion made by a rubber-type eraser was tested by Moore.16 who evaluated such cases in comparison with the success of other methods. The method uses a chemical powder and is extremely sensitive in detecting rubber erasures even cases where more frequently used methods had failed.
Many of the physical erasures that come to the attention of the document examiner are the result of a rubber erasure. If utmost care has been taken with a rubber erasure, the location of the erasure site sometimes was difficult to detect and even more difficult to demonstrate. It is also true that many of the above-mentioned methods employed by the examiner may not successfully locate the site of such an erasure.16
In contrast to Welch,9 the erasable ink could not be seen under ultraviolet light, but coinciding with the current results, the erased ink lines could be seen under infra-red luminescence, but it is not seen as its original blue line, a matter that could be referred to the differences in the wavelengths used and the camera used (the current study used VSC-6000 but C VSC-2000).
Osborn17 devoted an entire chapter in his major book to the subject of erasures. Other books also contain specific chapters or make many references to the importance of erasures and their detection in the examination of questioned documents. Several methods are employed by document examiners to detect erasure sites. Some of the most frequently used methods are oblique, reflected and transmitted lighting measurements of paper thickness and variation of light transmission; ultraviolet and infra-red light examination; photographic methods and techniques; and various chemical examinations, including iodine fuming and detecting powders.
The VSC camera is sensitive to IR radiation. The IR filter blocked out all visible light so that only radiation longer than 645 nm could be seen by the camera. The monitor of the VSC shows the examiner what the camera sees, glowing letters instead of a blank slip of paper. If you are a document examiner, keep this in mind if you ever need to restore erased writing, uncover an obliteration, recapture erased information, and/or see differences in the ink on the document.18
6 Conclusion and recommendations
6.1 Conclusion
Auto-vanishing inks are available under the name of Magic at most local fabric or sewing machine stores. They are designed to be used for making patterns in dressmaking and the ink will disappear within 2–40 h. When such inks are used in the writing process, they do not disappear from all the paper types at the same time. The ink when disappeared cannot be detected by UV light, infra-red illumination, or by the other conventional methods of examination. A weak solution of sodium hydroxide when sprayed lightly over the suspected writing will cause the ink to reappear for a brief period of time without inducing any harm to the remnant of the document.
The introduction of erasable ball-point pens increased the likelihood of erased pre-decolorized writings in criminal activities. This article alerts the forensic science community to the existing erasable ball-point pens and describes a method in deciphering it. The strong luminescence displayed by traces of the erasable ink strokes under high wavelengths of infra-red light (VSC-6000) will provide a new avenue by which the forensic document examiner may detect the erasure that might otherwise go undetected with other more frequently used methods.
6.2 Recommendations
–
This study recommends the use of such results to be demonstrable in the courtroom setting.
–
The study recommends combating check fraud by new security methods to catch such an illegal activity and to offer protection services.
–
It is desirable to facilitate accessibility of such high diluted alkaline solutions (NaOH) to forensic document examiners throughout Egypt.
–
This study recommends the thermal deciphering of both the vanishing and the erasable inks.
–
Higher concentrations of alkaline solutions should be examined for permanent deciphering of the faded writings.
Conflicts of interest
Dear editors in Chief
The author states that there are no direct or indirect financial interests or conflicts of interest for disclosure by the authors of this manuscript. The author has contributed the original work to the manuscript and adhered to the ethical requirements as outlined by the journal.
Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any questions or comments at the address and information below.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Funding and ethical approval
This manuscript is an original article and is not submitted to another journal.
There are no direct or indirect financial interests or conflicts of interest for disclosure by the author of this manuscript. The author has contributed the original work to the manuscript and adhered to the ethical requirements as outlined by the journal. The author states that the current “Guide for Authors” has been read; thereby she is committed to instructions and accepting the conditions posed. The author agrees to the submitted version of the paper, and bears responsibility for it. The author realizes that if the paper is accepted, the paper will not be published elsewhere in the same or similar form, in English or in any other language without consent of the copyright holder.
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
None to declare.
Ethical approval
Necessary ethical approval was obtained from the university ethics committee.
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Peer review under responsibility of Forensic Medicine Authority.