Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of red seal inks on questioned document.
Seals are traditionally used in the Far East Asia to stamp an impression on a document in place of a signature. In this study, an accuser claimed that a personal contract regarding mining development rights acquired by a defendant was devolved to the accuser because the defendant stamped the devolvement contract in the presence of the accuser and a witness. The accuser further stated that the seal ink stamped on the devolvement contract was the same as that stamped on the development rights application document. To verify this, the seals used in two documents were analyzed using micro-attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and infrared spectra. The findings revealed that the seals originated from different manufacturers. Thus, the accuser's claim on the existence of a devolvement contract was proved to be false.
Advanced Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, PO Box 131, Cheongryangri, Seoul, 136-791, South Korea.
Yun Sik
YS
Nam
Jin Sook
JS
Park
Nak-Kyoon
NK
Kim
Yeonhee
Y
Lee
Kang-Bong
KB
Lee
forensic science; infrared spectral database; micro-attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared; questioned documents; red seal inks; stamp