PITFALLS IN THE USE OF ULTRAVIOLET EXAMINATIONS TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WRITING PAPERS.

This article discusses pitfalls in the use of ultraviolet examinations to differentiate between writing papers. Examination under ultraviolet radiation has been recognized for some years as a means of differentiating between writing papers made of different kinds of fibers. Investigation into this problem was prompted by questions raised at the 1948 mooting of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners. A major portion of this annual mooting was devoted to the discussion and investigation of writing paper identification problems. The sessions were held in Appleton, Wisconsin, where members of the Society and key personnel on the staff of the Institute of Paper Chemistry conducted a joint seminar on methods of paper identification. The Society members also made a special inspection tour of two writing paper mills in that city. Before the writing paper is shipped from the mill it may be cut into large sheets and packaged into ream units. The wide rolls which are taken off the paper machine are generally cut into narrower widths in a rewinding process before sheeting.