Research Progress on Identifying the Source and Formation Time of Document Color Traces Based on Ink Colorants Composition

doi:10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250062

Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (9): 1180-1195.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250062

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Research Progress on Identifying the Source and Formation Time of Document Color Traces Based on Ink Colorants Composition

Zhi-Yue ZHANG, Peng-Cheng ZHAO(), Zhen YE, Lan CUI, Hui SONG

College of Criminal Science and Technology，Criminal Investigation Police University of China，Shenyang 110035，China

Received:2025-02-21 Accepted:2025-07-01 Published:2025-09-01 Online:2025-09-28
Contact: Peng-Cheng ZHAO
About author:zhaopengcheng@cipuc.edu.cn
Supported by:
the Ministry of Public Security Science and Technology Strengthening Police Basic Work Plan Project(2022JC03)

Abstract

Abstract:

In the field of forensic science， ink is a key element in the analysis of trace physical evidence and plays an important role in the detection of cases. Colorants is one of the main components of the ink， has a unique type and content， and will be degraded over time， is an important basis for identifying the time of formation and authenticity of the document. This paper classifies and summarizes the colorants of the document graphic ink， introduces a variety of spectroscopy， chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques used for the identification of ink colorants and their advantages and limitations， focusing on Raman spectroscopy， ambient ionization mass spectrometry and other non-destructive testing methods， as well as chemometrics and the combination of traditional analytical methods， and based on the future focus of the forensic scientific documents and prospects for the colorants test prospects， in order to provide reference for forensic scientific document examination workers.

Key words: Colorants, Formation time, Spectroscopy, Chromatography, Ambient ionization mass spectrometry, Chemometrics

CLC Number:

O657

Zhi-Yue ZHANG, Peng-Cheng ZHAO, Zhen YE, Lan CUI, Hui SONG. Research Progress on Identifying the Source and Formation Time of Document Color Traces Based on Ink Colorants Composition[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2025, 42(9): 1180-1195.

Figures/Tables 81

References 71

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Research Progress on Identifying the Source and Formation Time of Document Color Traces Based on Ink Colorants Composition

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