The Use of HPLC with Multiwavelength Detection for the Differentiation of Non Ball Pen Inks

High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) systems were developed for the examination of blue non ball pen inks. Using an isocratic chromatographic system, together with a Spectra Physics multiwavelength detection system, over 100 blue non ball pen inks were distinguished. The majority of these had not previously been separated by traditional methods. This approach offers a number of advantages over thin layer chromatography. Sensitivity is greatly improved, allowing the detection of picograms of sample, and the increased resolution results in far more information being produced, allowing a more meaningful comparison of samples.