A Review of the Spectrometer and Chromaticity Capabilities of the VSC 2000

Differences between inks are often observed by Forensic Document Examiners (FDEs) through the use of infrared (IR) reflectance. Such differences are observable in real time with CCD cameras and appropriate filters on such coupled instruments offered by Projectina and Foster + Freeman. These differences in IR reflectance are usually observed and distinguished through qualitative analysis. Until recently, quantitative analysis could be accomplished but would require extensive manual collection of data, subsequent statistical processing, and plotting of data points. The VSC 2000 offers an automated system which yields quantitative data useful in the discrimination of inks. A brief explanation of the utility and limitations encountered will be discussed.