Deposition order and physicochemical process visualization of ink intersections using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy imaging for forensic analysis

The physicochemical events at ink intersections are largely understudied. Chemical imaging techniques and multivariate analyses applied to this problem thus far lack the performance characteristics to make confident conclusions about these processes. This deficiency leads to subjective and controversial deposition order determinations in forensic investigations. In this comprehensive report, 44 unique crossings involving laser toners and stamps, as well as felt‐tip, rollerball, gel, and ballpoint pen inks, were imaged with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), using a 50‐μm X‐ray spot size and 100‐μm steps. The specificity and surface sensitivity of XPS enabled the objective visualization of the inks' chemistry upon deposition via spatial elemental distribution in‐situ. Signal intensity and atomic concentration were mapped for each element detected. Discrimination was possible in 100% of written and printed inks analyzed, and the relationship between the elemental concentration profile in each intersection was compared with the known sequence. Formation of ink layers, mixing, and separation of ink components by way of electrostatic forces were observed. Insights into the known complexity of ink intersection processes were revealed and highlight the need for understanding the chosen analytical technique's information depth and for complementary analyses to increase sequencing confidence. We also provide evidence that these processes invalidate the utility of principal component analysis for analyzing ink intersections. However, sequencing accuracy was 84% for all samples analyzed, and its success was highly dependent on the presence of physical features (i.e., thick coatings and embossed regions). In some intersection types, especially toners, the features exposed with XPS imaging enabled a sequencing accuracy of 100%.