Why Use Forgery-Proof Inks?

[Brandywine]

As a civil servant I am expected to use dokument proof stuff.

That is why I stopped using a fountain pen for quite a while and -grudgingly- used ballpoints.

I could use a black ink (Pelikan or Parker pemanent), but our paperwork has to be triplicate:

One original and two copies, and with black ink you can't tell the original from the copy!

 

When someone discovered that computer ink (or toner) also occasionally fails to be document proof

i relaxed a bit and switched to a cheap office fountain pen with Pelikan or (old) Montblanc Blue-Black

or some recent inks that even claim to be tested according to ISO.

 

As iron gall writings change in the paper they can even be tested for their age:
so an expert could say whether a signature was made recently or some while back.

This is important in some cases (e.g. insurances or testaments).

And the same experts could even tell whether someone added a digit to the cheque you wrote him with a ballpoint:

ballpoint inks may look the same to the human eye, but they vary from batches or different manufacturers;

and a chromatografic test will reveal the added parts ...

Years ago I enjoyed an interesting briefing by such an expert who was quite enthusiastic about his job!

[wallylynn]

Your work considered general ballpoint to be document proof? Or just some special specific ballpoints (like Uniball super ink)?

[Astronymus]

Even the cheap BIC ballpoints have ISO 12757-2 certification.

[Lloyd]

Even the cheap BIC ballpoints have ISO 12757-2 certification.

Archival does not mean that it is challenging to remove from paper. It means that nature probably won't remove it for many years. Targeted approaches like alcohol or acetone are NOT tested.

[Astronymus]

ISO 12757-2 is not only about archival properties but also document authenticity. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:12757:-2:ed-1:v1:en

[eharriett]

Ask Amberlea. Lawyer. Used in a court case.

 

OK, now I want to know. Amberlea, if you're following, can you please elaborate?

[Lloyd]

ISO 12757-2 is not only about archival properties but also document authenticity. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:12757:-2:ed-1:v1:en

Unfortunately, most of the pertinent info is only available if I pay.

I believe Bic Biro ink can be easily erased with acetone and, possibly, acid.

Edited October 15, 2018 by Lloyd

[TSherbs]

Unfortunately, most of the pertinent info is only available if I pay.

I believe Bic Biro ink can be easily erased with acetone and, possibly, acid.

Biros are for children, not for legal documents.

[wallylynn]

I can't find anywhere that says Bic pens are ISO certified, except one box on amazon. I see that the manufacturing facilities are ISO 9000 or ISO 4000 certified, but I can't find info on the products. My understanding is that certification is voluntary, and expensive. Maybe Bics are certified, but Staples pens are not. Maybe some Pilot pens are, others aren't. Usually when they are certified, it's loudly proclaimed, but I can't see it anywhere.

 

I also expect that the standard has multiples levels. (We can't read the standard unless we buy it.) For example, ink might withstand 70% rubbing alcohol, but not 90%. Usually the tests are for what you claim, what you don't claim is N/A.

[tisquinn]

OP here: thanks for chiming in everyone! I am super curious if Amberlea has a story. If anyone knows her or him personally, send a message—let's get the tale!!

 

Cheers!

[PurplePlum]

I can see their value when writing patient notes -

nurses, doctors other healthcare disciplines.

[Lloyd]

I can see their value when writing patient notes -

nurses, doctors other healthcare disciplines.

IOUs for loansharks, too!

[Brandywine]

Your work considered general ballpoint to be document proof? Or just some special specific ballpoints (like Uniball super ink)?

 

No, we are told to pay attention to the norm ISO 12757-2 that specifies document proofness of ballpoint mines,

including resistance against water, light, mechanical influence and several specified chemicals.

Its predecessor in Germany was a DIN Norm (1644something..).

And it has to be ISO 12757-2, not ISO 12757-1! The latter only specifies the make and size of the refill mine!

We can have (cheap and ugly) pens issued by the office that are definitely document proof and do the job,

they even issue document proof Bics (they Do exist, after all) - but they are not popular ;

if we choose to use our own stuff we have to make sure the ISO norm is fulfilled.

 

Whenever I look in the usual shops for refills I very seldom find any that are not document proof;

except for those that especially claim to be "correctible" or "erasable".

Mostly ISO 12757-1 only refills come with cheap commercial giveaway pens;

when people buy refills, they want them to be document proof - at least here in Germany.

[GeneralSynopsis]

IOUs for loansharks, too!

IOUs for loansharks have to be signed in blood, preferably your own.

[wallylynn]

 

when people buy refills, they want them to be document proof - at least here in Germany.

Interesting. I went to the stationary aisle yesterday and looked at a handful of pens. I saw lots of copyright and trademark and patent numbers. I did not see any ISO claims on any of the packages.

[Astronymus]

ISO inks are rare.

[Nierd]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704107204574475221527317840

 

These cases (will forgery) are super hard to prove in court - because handwriting experts aren't great. Ink that doesn't get washed off the page makes it easier - and if someone buys another bottle of the same color ink - if you can chemically test the ink and prove it was from a different batch - even easier.

 

Like many things - I'm pretty sure it's in the 'rare to most people' type of situation.