Advances in the Forensic Analysis and Dating of Writing Ink [Paperback]

Richard L. Brunelle (Author), Kenneth R. Crawford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0398073473 | ISBN-13: 978-0398073473

The use of the forensic examination and dating of inks on questioned documents has become common, and law enforcement agencies rely heavily on these techniques during criminal investigations whenever there is some question as to when a document was written. In this book, the authors describe the many advances that have occurred in the field of forensic examination and dating of inks on documents. Actual laboratory procedures for examining and dating inks and other related substances are described, as well as the forensic applications of these techniques in criminal and civil litigations. In addition, the authors provide discussion theories for each type of chemical analysis which serve as useful guidelines for explaining the science to lay juries. Major chapter topics include: Historical Development, Ink Analysis Training and Coordination, Ink Chemistry, Methods of Analysis, Forensic Comparison and Identification by Chromatography and Densitome-try, Instrumental Analysis of Inks, Ink Libraries, Ink Dating, Experiments on Ink Dryness Tests, Results of Case Examinations, and Court Admissibility of Relative Age Comparison Techniques. This book will be useful to chemists involved in dating examination work, lawyers trying cases using these techniques, and professors teaching in the field of forensic sciences. In addition, it will be useful serving as a methods manual and reference text for forensic science students.

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About the Author

Richard L. Brunelle has a bachelorÂ’s degree majoring in chemistry obtained from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and a masters of science degree majoring in Forensic Science obtained from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Most of his career was spent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), where he retired in 1988 as Chief of their Forensic Science Laboratory with 28 years of government service. After retirement from ATF, he established and operated Brunelle Forensic Laboratories for ten years, where he specialized in the dating of inks on questioned documents.

During his career, Brunelle published approximately 50 scientific publications, including a textbook on the Forensic Examination of Ink and Paper, a chapter in a Handbook of Forensic Sciences, and a chapter in an Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences. He was the recipient of the John A. Dondero Memorial Award, presented to him by the International Association for Identification for developing the first capability in the United States for dating inks. He also established the Society of Forensic Ink Analysts (SOFIA), which was incorporated in Virginia in 1997. This was the first professional association in the world for forensic ink chemists.

Kenneth R. Crawford received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as a Forensic Document Examiner and Ink Analyst for the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for over 25 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0398073473
• ISBN-13: 978-0398073473
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #529,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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