# International Ink Library

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{{Short description|Forensic database of inks}}
thumb|Thin layer chromatography
The '''International Ink Library''' and its Digital Ink Library are an [FBI](/source/FBI) forensic database of inks. It is used to identify writing instruments, makes, models, ink types, and document authenticity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NIST|title=Forensic Database Questioned Documents Table|url=https://www.nist.gov/oles/forensic-database-questioned-documents-table|access-date=July 26, 2021|website=National Institute of Standards and Technology|date=3 June 2013 }}</ref>  It contains over 15,000 samples of pen, marker, and printer inks dating from the 1920s.  As part of the FBI Questioned Documents Branch, it is used to investigate criminal and terrorist cases, fraudulent documents, forgeries, checks, money orders, and threats to persons.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hickey|first=Kathleen|date=March 16, 2009|title=Secret Service's ink evidence library now electronically searchable|url=https://gcn.com/Articles/2009/03/16/Secret-Service-Digital-Ink.aspx?m=1|access-date=July 26, 2017|website=GCN.com}}</ref> It uses [high-performance thin-layer chromatography](/source/high-performance_thin-layer_chromatography), [electrophoresis](/source/electrophoresis), ultraviolet spectra, [electrospray ionization](/source/electrospray_ionization) and mass spectrometry.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=May 2006|title=An evaluation of matching unknown writing inks with the United States International Ink Library|journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences|pmid=16696723 |last1=Laporte |first1=G. M. |last2=Arredondo |first2=M. D. |last3=McConnell |first3=T. S. |last4=Stephens |first4=J. C. |last5=Cantu |first5=A. A. |last6=Shaffer |first6=D. K. |volume=51 |issue=3 |pages=689–692 |doi=10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00144.x }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brewer|first=Jason|date=2005-07-01|title=Forensic Analysis of Blue Ballpoint Pen Inks Using Capillary Electrophoresis|url=https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/july2005/research|access-date=2021-07-27|website=fbi.gov}}</ref>  It also analyzes chemical date tags expressly inserted by ink manufacturers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Speckin|first=Erich|title=HOW DO FORENSIC CHEMISTS DETECT 'RECORD TAMPERING'|url=https://4n6.com/scientific-papers/how-do-forensic-chemists-detect-record-tampering/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=4n6.com}}</ref> The database originated in the 1960s from the collection of Antonio Cantu, former Chief Forensic Chemist at the Secret Service, which dedicated the lab in his honor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 27, 2019|title=Secret Service Dedicates Forensics Division|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/press/releases/2019/06/secret-service-dedicates-forensic-services-division-library-honor-former|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=The United States Secret Service}}</ref>

There is no cost to access, but is limited to [U.S. Secret Service](/source/United_States_Secret_Service) directorates, students through coordinated research initiatives, and law enforcement entities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Forensic Database Questioned Documents Table|url=https://www.nist.gov/oles/forensic-database-questioned-documents-table|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=NIST.gov|date=3 June 2013 }}</ref> It handles over 500 cases per year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Long|first=Colleen|date=July 8, 2019|title=Secret Service's ink library helps agents foil kidnappings, counterfeiters|url=https://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Secret-Service-s-ink-library-helps-agents-foil-14079625.php|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=sfgate.com}}</ref> It has been used in such cases as the [Jasper Johns](/source/Jasper_Johns) [forged documents](/source/Roman_Bronze_Works), the [Martha Stewart conviction](/source/ImClone_stock_trading_case),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brewer|first=Jason|date=July 2005|title=Forensic Analysis of Blue Ballpoint Pen Inks Using Capillary Electrophoresis|url=https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/july2005/research|access-date=2021-07-27|website=FBI.gov}}</ref> as well as the [9/11](/source/September_11_attacks) attacks.
thumb|Ink sampled from D.C. sniper case

== References ==
{{reflist}}

Category:Forensic databases
Category:Year of establishment missing

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [International Ink Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Ink_Library) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Ink_Library?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.