A Study on the Stability and the Utility of Satellite Droplets for Classification of Ink Jet Printers

The author investigated the stability of satellite droplets as either class or individual characteristics in the printouts from 40 types of Hewlett-Packard and Canon ink jets. Observation established that satellite droplets produced by one ink jet device might vary in appearance with different print modes, ink, media and other factors. Given their lack of repeatability, they are not considered to be characteristics that can be relied upon by FDEs for ink jet printer classification or identification. However, the forensic value of satellite droplets should not be totally ignored. Their structure can indicate the properties of the ink, and possibly the brand of printer. They are very useful for ascertaining certain characteristics for ink jet classification, including halftone dot, nozzle arrangement, and stepping of paper feed. They can also assist in determining print modes, without which no ink jet output can be produced. Therefore, satellites should be taken into consideration when FDEs are examining an ink jet -printed document.