Microscopy and Microanalysis of Tattoo Inks
THE MICROSCOPE
2015, Volume 63:4, pp. 147–160
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59082/AFWN7839
AUTHORS
Michelle D. Miranda
ABSTRACT
In forensic science, the recognition of inorganic and organic pigments in human tissue can aid in the identification of charred, decomposed, mummified or otherwise unidentifiable human remains. In the fields of art conservation and cultural heritage, the characterization and archiving of organic pigments found in traditional tattoo inks can aid in future anthropological and archaeological studies of human culture and history. This research explores the application of microscopical and spectroscopical methods employed in the analysis of modern organic pigments found in tattoo inks. The aim of this research was to scientifically evaluate these inks by documenting their physical and optical properties with macroscopical and microscopical methods and identify the chemical properties of the pigments through spectroscopical analysis. Analytical methods included Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry (UV/Vis) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The lack of an established method for analyzing tattoo inks and a comprehensive database for comparing them were additional catalysts for this research.