SEM analysis of black toner on printouts. Part II Cover Image

Analiza SEM czarnego tonera na wydrukach. Część II
SEM analysis of black toner on printouts. Part II

Author(s): Anna Łasińska
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Security and defense
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: toner; Brother; Konica Minolta; scanning electron microscopy; X-ray microanalysis; SEM/EDX

Summary/Abstract: Document examiners are frequently asked to determine whether or not a printout originated from a particular laser printer. The printer can rarely be identified unless some unique defects or irregularities of the printing are present on the printout. This article presents an overview of a systematic approach to characterizing and discriminating the toner of different laser printers using scanning electron microscopy. A total of twenty-one collected printouts were printed on twenty-one different Brother and Konica Minolta printing machine models. Sixteen printouts were obtained using printers with original toner cartridges while five printouts were obtained using printers with compatible cartridges. Clear criteria were established for individual assessment. Based on the SEM images and established criteria the details of topography of the toner structure were revealed. Due to this study, the differences or similarities of toners on tested printouts were determined. The SEM technique can be successfully, simply, and rapidly applied to the analysis of toners on paper documents.

  • Issue Year: 13/2021
  • Issue No: 24
  • Page Range: 221-249
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: Polish