Questioned Document: Ink Dating Methods (Aginsky, Brunelle, ASTM E2789)
Published:
Questions
30
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
26 May 2026
About this mock
This mock covers the forensic science of ink dating and ink examination as tested in UGC-NET Paper II Unit IX (Questioned Documents). Core analytical methods examined include phenoxyethanol (PE) quantification by GC-MS under the Aginsky protocol, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) comparison by the Brunelle method, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection for dye profiling, Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (LDI-MS) for non-destructive direct-surface ink identification, and Raman spectroscopy for in-situ dye characterisation. The mock also covers ASTM E2789 (Standard Guide for Ink Analysis) and its distinction from ASTM E1789 and ASTM E2390, the US Secret Service Ink Reference Collection (IRC) and its role in establishing earliest-possible writing dates, the logarithmic solvent-loss curve governing PE decay, static versus dynamic (accelerated) aging, sequence-of-strokes examination at ink intersections, and the reliability limitations of the Aginsky method in court testimony.
In the Indian forensic context, the mock addresses the questioned document capabilities of CFSL Kolkata and the Government Examiner of Questioned Documents (GEQD) offices including GEQD Shimla. It tests knowledge of how CFSL reports are tendered in Indian courts under Section 293 CrPC 1973 (now Section 336 BNSS 2023) and the practical alternatives used by Indian laboratories when the USSS IRC database is not directly accessible. Questions test both the scientific principles and the procedural and legal framework within which ink examination evidence is used in Indian criminal and civil proceedings.
Topics covered:
- Phenoxyethanol (PE) composition, decay kinetics, and role as Aginsky age marker
- Brunelle TLC method and US Secret Service Ink Reference Collection (IRC)
- Aginsky GC-MS protocol: PE/reference ratio, logarithmic decay curve, 1-2 year reliability limit
- ASTM E2789, E1789, and E2390: scope distinctions and non-mandatory Guide status
- Static vs dynamic (accelerated) aging: kinetic scaling limitations
- Sequence-of-strokes examination: oblique-light microscopy and ESDA
- LDI-MS: non-destructive direct-surface dye mass fingerprinting
- CFSL Kolkata and GEQD Shimla: institutional roles and Indian court tendering
Allow 30 minutes.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 7 questions
Ellen, D. -- The Scientific Examination of Documents: Methods and Techniques, CRC Press, 3rd Edition
Chapter: Legal Admissibility of Ink Dating Evidence, Daubert Challenges to PE GC-MS Method
- cited in 5 questions
Brunelle, R.L. & Reed, R.W. -- Forensic Examination of Ink and Paper, Charles C Thomas, 1984
Chapter 3: Composition of Ballpoint Inks -- Dyes, Resins, Solvents
- cited in 4 questions
Aginsky, V.N. -- Dating and Characterizing Writing, Stamp Pad, and Jet Printer Inks by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners, 1996
Section: Solvent Loss Kinetics, Logarithmic Decay Model for Phenoxyethanol
- cited in 3 questions
ASTM E2789 -- Standard Guide for Ink Analysis: Examination of Document Inks, ASTM International
Scope Section 1: Purpose of the Standard Guide, Distinction from Standard Test Methods
- cited in 2 questions
Aginsky, V.N. -- Forensic Examination of Inks by Means of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, Forensic Science International, 2006
Section: Static vs Dynamic Aging, Limitations of Accelerated Aging Reference Curves
- cited in 1 question
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023
Section 293 CrPC 1973 (Section 336 BNSS 2023): Government Scientific Expert Reports
- cited in 1 question
ASTM E1789 -- Standard Guide for Writing Ink Identification by Paper Chromatography, ASTM International; ASTM E2789 -- Standard Guide for Ink Analysis, ASTM International
Scope Sections: Comparison of E1789 (Paper Chromatography) and E2789 (Comprehensive Ink Analysis)
- cited in 1 question
Brunelle, R.L. & Reed, R.W. -- Forensic Examination of Ink and Paper, Charles C Thomas, 1984; Aginsky, V.N. -- International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners, 1996
Comparative Application: TLC-IRC (earliest possible date) vs GC-MS PE (elapsed time since writing)
- cited in 1 question
Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India -- CFSL Kolkata: Mandate and Services
Questioned Documents Division, Ink and Paper Examination, Operational Scope
- cited in 1 question
Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Ministry of Home Affairs -- GEQD Shimla: Mandate, Civil and Criminal Referrals
GEQD Role: Civil Court Expert Witness, Comparison with CFSL Criminal Casework Mandate
- cited in 1 question
ASTM E2390 -- Standard Guide for Examination of Questioned Documents, ASTM International; ASTM E2789 -- Standard Guide for Ink Analysis, ASTM International
Scope Comparison: E2390 (Questioned Documents Broad) vs E2789 (Ink Analysis Specific)
- cited in 1 question
Brunelle, R.L. & Reed, R.W. -- Forensic Examination of Ink and Paper, Charles C Thomas, 1984; Ellen, D. -- The Scientific Examination of Documents, CRC Press, 3rd Edition
Chapter: Chromatographic Methods, HPLC-DAD versus TLC for Ink Dye Identification
- cited in 1 question
Ellen, D. -- The Scientific Examination of Documents: Methods and Techniques, CRC Press, 3rd Edition; ASTM E2789 -- Standard Guide for Ink Analysis
Section: Modern Non-Destructive Methods, Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry
- cited in 1 question
NTA UGC-NET Forensic Science Paper II Syllabus -- Unit IX: Questioned Documents
Unit IX Coverage: Ink and Paper Examination, Ink Dating Methods, Document Authenticity
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the Questioned Document: Ink Dating Methods (Aginsky, Brunelle, ASTM E2789) mock cover?+
This mock covers the forensic science of ink dating and ink examination as tested in UGC-NET Paper II Unit IX (Questioned Documents). Core analytical methods examined include phenoxyethanol (PE) quantification by GC-MS under the Aginsky protocol, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) comparison by the Brunelle method, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection for dye profiling, Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (LDI-MS) for non-destructive direct-surface ink
How many questions and how long is the test?+
30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: hard. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on Questioned Document, NET. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.