[en] Inkjet ink analysis is the best way to discriminate between printed documents, or even though more
difficult, to connect an inkjet printed document with a brand or model of printers. Raman spectroscopy and
laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) have been demonstrated as powerful tools for dyes and
pigments analysis, which are ink components. The aim of this work is to evaluate the aforementioned
techniques for inkjet inks analysis in terms of discriminating power, information quality, and
nondestructive capability. So, we investigated 10 different inkjet ink cartridges (primary colors and
black), 7 from the HP manufacturer and one each from Epson, Canon and Lexmark. This paper demonstrates
the capabilities of three methods: Raman spectroscopy, LDMS and MALDI-MS. Raman spectroscopy, as it is
preferable to try the nondestructive approach first, is successfully adapted to the analysis of color printed
documents in most cases. For analysis of color inkjet inks by LDMS, we show that a MALDI matrix (9-
aminoacridine, 9AA) is needed to desorb and to ionize dyes from most inkjet inks (except Epson inks).
Therefore, a method was developed to apply the 9AA MALDI matrix directly onto the piece of paper while
avoiding analyte spreading. The obtained mass spectra are very discriminating and lead to information
about ink additives and paper compositions. Discrimination of black inkjet printed documents is more
difficult because of the common use of carbon black as the principal pigment. We show for the first time the
possibility to discriminate between two black-printed documents coming from different, as well as from
the same, manufacturers. Mass spectra recorded from black inks in positive ion mode LDMS detect
polyethylene glycol polymers which have characteristic mass distributions and end groups. Moreover,
software has been developed for rapid and objective comparison of the low mass range of these positive
mode LDMS spectra which have characteristic unknown peaks.
Research Center/Unit :
Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Département de Chimie
Disciplines :
Chemistry
Author, co-author :
Heudt, Laetitia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > GIGA-R : Laboratoire de spectrométrie de masse (L.S.M.)
Debois, Delphine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > GIGA-R : Laboratoire de spectrométrie de masse (L.S.M.)
Zimmerman, Tyler ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > GIGA-R : Laboratoire de spectrométrie de masse (L.S.M.)
Köhler, Laurent; National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium
Bano, Fouzia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Nano-chimie et systèmes moléculaires
Partouche, Franck; Criminal Investigation Department of National Gendarmerie (IRCGN), Rosny Sous Bois, France
Duwez, Anne-Sophie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Nano-chimie et systèmes moléculaires
De Pauw, Edwin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > GIGA-R : Laboratoire de spectrométrie de masse (L.S.M.)
Language :
English
Title :
Raman spectroscopy and laser desorption mass spectrometry for minimal destructive forensic analysis of black and color inkjet printed documents
Publication date :
2012
Journal title :
Forensic Science International
ISSN :
0379-0738
eISSN :
1872-6283
Publisher :
Elsevier Science Ireland, Limerick, Ireland
Volume :
219
Pages :
64-75
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique FEDER - Fonds Européen de Développement Régional
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