The Discrimination of Pencil Marks on Paper in Forensic Investigations


THE MICROSCOPE
2017, Volume 65:1, pp. 13–20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59082/UGAA9931
AUTHOR
Larry Peterson
ABSTRACT
Little information is available on the ability to discriminate pencil marks on writing paper, primarily due to the lack of a method to remove pencil marks from the paper substrate. In this study, pencil marks were removed from the paper backing using Duro-Tak 405A, an acrylic-based adhesive. Removed markings were analyzed using a combination of X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and chemical extraction. Of the 12 No. 2 pencils studied, all but one pair of samples was discriminated. CORRECTIONS: Page 14 of this article has the wrong image of the “completed and ready Duro-Tak ball” for Figure 2. The correct Figure 2 image is included below with related images. Download/view the correction. The Microscope regrets the error.