A Visual Spectral Comparator (VSC) was used to analyse the alleged suicide note (Evidence number LMW-2). A VSC utilises a variety of light sources, including several different wavelengths, to help discriminate between different inks. These different inks may appear identical to our naked eye but when viewed under different light conditions can be distinguished from one another.

Students using the Video Spectral Comparator to analyse the 'suspect' document.

It was found that the ink used to write the alleged suicide note (Evidence number LMW-2) became luminescent under certain conditions. The ink from the black ballpoint pen, with brand name 'NibBall' found in the abandoned vehicle (Evidence number LMW-15), became luminescent under identical conditions, whereas the ink from the black ballpoint pen, with the brand name 'Tipper' (Evidence number LMW-3) found in the living room did not luminesce under those same conditions. This was confirmed when the inks were analysed using Raman Spectroscopy, as different inks give different Raman spectra, so inks can be differentiated or matched by comparing the peak profiles produced. the ink from the black ballpoint pen with brand name 'NibBall' (Evidence number LMW-15) gave an identical Raman spectrum to the spectra produced by the ink on the document (Evidence number LMW-2).

Analysis of inks using Raman Spectroscopy.

Click here to return to the previous page for further analysis of evidence.