HORIZONTAL PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF BALL POINT PEN INKS.

An improved technique for the chromatography of ink is described, and its application to the identification of ball point pen ink discussed. Blue inks (including purple) could be divided rapidly into 7 groups, and distinctions made between many of the members of the multi-component groups. Identification of every ink individually was not found possible from the dye components separated by chromatography. Identification of nearly all of the inks was possible from the chromatogram combined with study of the ink line to reveal major differences in vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]