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DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:26 pm
by Tahoe27
tahoe27 wrote:8/16/2010
It was obvious in this letter Zodiac's (felt-tip) pen was running out of ink. This was apparently the first letter he wrote.

Image
http://zodiackiller.com/SFCL2HR.html - High Res @ zodiackiller.com

The pen runs out of ink, then got strong again, then fades.

I have often used felt-tip pens and when they start to run dry, you dab it on your tongue to refresh the ink. Many do this. It will get you a bit more life out of the pen. Not much, but it works...as it did here, I believe.

He continues doing this on the envelope, until it runs out altogether and he changes writing utensils.

Image

Image

My question is, "with all this DNA stuff--touch DNA etc, would they be able to find DNA on the letter if he did lick the tip"? Of course more DNA would be on the pen, but could there be DNA from the pen/ink on the paper? I think it might be worth looking in to.

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2019 10:33 pm
by margie
I just happened upon this! Very interesting idea!

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2019 3:28 am
by Claypooles
Dude seemingly didn't like to lick stamps, so I doubt he liked to lick pen tips :/

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:14 am
by Israelite Wolfman
Claypooles wrote:Dude seemingly didn't like to lick stamps, so I doubt he liked to lick pen tips :/

Were all the stamps removed/stretched out from the envelopes to be examined for DNA?

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 2:50 pm
by Tahoe27
Claypooles wrote:Dude seemingly didn't like to lick stamps, so I doubt he liked to lick pen tips :/


Might not be that he didn't like to lick stamps, just that he was smart enough not to.

And thanks Margie!

Anyone who used pens like this knows dabbing them on your tongue works. ;)

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:48 am
by themikado90
Has this idea ever been put forward to the police? I think you're on to something.

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 3:43 pm
by Quicktrader
I wish they'd analyze the smudge under CJB scene Timex watch..

QT

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:45 pm
by relentlessz
They don't know for sure if he used a marker type pen for the letters. It could have also been a fountain type pen that he dipped into an ink well that he used.

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:54 pm
by jacob
relentlessz wrote:They don't know for sure if he used a marker type pen for the letters. It could have also been a fountain type pen that he dipped into an ink well that he used.


Possibly, though using a fountain pen can easily be a messy disaster unless you're a skilled calligrapher.

Re: DNA in Ink?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:35 pm
by Tahoe27
relentlessz wrote:They don't know for sure if he used a marker type pen for the letters. It could have also been a fountain type pen that he dipped into an ink well that he used.


If you notice in my first post, I stated "In this letter."

This was a felt-tip pen. Not a sharpie, or ball-point, etc. The high resolution makes it quite clear.

Here is another letter with an obvious felt-tip: http://zodiackiller.com/PLHR.html

His other (3-part letters), certainly something else was used and I believe it is because the felt-tip ran out of ink. He tried to revive it, with no luck, and continued on.