An examination of Some Commonly Utilized Techniques for Perception of Secret Writing

Authors

  • Shipra Rohatgi1 , Shruti Gupta2 , Madhulika Sharma3

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i3.10445

Keywords:

Secret Writing, Invisible inks, decipherment, physical, chemical methods

Abstract

Secret writing is the art of covered or hidden writing. The art of secret writing is meant to create a message

unreadable by a third party however doesn’t hide the existence of the secret communication. This paper is

meant as a technical introduction to secret writing for those unacquainted with the field. Invisible inks are

generally used for secret writing. These are fluids used to write hidden messages that do not appear unless

exposed by a revealing process. Invisible inks can be classified into three main categories: those that are

revealed by heat, those revealed by chemical reactions and those that are visible under ultraviolet light.

Some common household invisible inks are diluted fruit juices, vinegar and laundry detergent, all which can

be applied by a paintbrush, special invisible ink pen or even a toothpick, Historically, used in times of war

by governments and insurgents alike. The chemical processes of invisible inks are well known, so a variety

of detection methods exist. The simplest invisible ink experiment consists of dipping a brush in vegetable

juice, biological fluids and different chemicals and writing on a piece of blank varieties of paper. When the

“ink” dries, it will be invisible to the naked eye, but if the paper is held up to a moderate heat source such as

a light bulb, a radiator or an iron using UV lamp to deciphering invisible writing. Many other mild chemicals

also used for restoration of secret writing.

Author Biography

  • Shipra Rohatgi1 , Shruti Gupta2 , Madhulika Sharma3

    1 Research Scholar, 2Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences, Amity University, Noida, Uttar

    Pradesh, India, 3 Ex-Director, State forensic Science Laboratory,Govt. of NCT of Delhi,Madhuban Chowk,

    Sector14,Rohini , New Delhi, India

Downloads

Published

2020-07-30

How to Cite

An examination of Some Commonly Utilized Techniques for Perception of Secret Writing. (2020). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 14(3), 673-680. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i3.10445