Paper Forensics and Age Dating
Testing a Paper's Age-Old Story Using Fiber Science
Based in Appleton, Wisconsin, Integrated Paper Services (IPS), Inc. has utilized the capabilities of its Fiber Science team to develop a reputation in the U.S. for paper and document forensics. By using wood species, pulping chemistry, paper additives and surface treatments to serve as unique paper forensic and age dating markers, IPS is able to determine likely age ranges for the paper. While exact age dating of papers is not possible, it is often able to exclude samples as being made in the time period of question.
Walter Rantanen, the fiber science group leader, has developed a large database of paper with known ages. He has also worked closely with Paul Messier and the Museum of Modern Art to develop a simliar database for photographic papers.
Typical paper forensic services that IPS provides to its U.S. and international customers are:
- Determining age range of paper sample in question
- Determine consistency of one paper sample with another paper sample
- Expert witness services in litigation and patent support
IPS Paper Forensics Case Studies
Photographic Forgeries of Vintage Louis Hine's Work
In 2000, IPS' Walter Rantenan was approached by Paul Messier to see if he could analyze the paper fibers in several purported vintage Louis Hine photographic prints from the 1930's to determine if the paper was consistent with the photographic papers available in this time frame. Walter examined a large number of photos that were carefully dated by his uncle to determine what fiber species and pulping processes were used from the early 1900's through the late 1990's. This research clearly indicated that the prints in question were not vintage or made during Hine's liftetime. To learn more about this case read a fascinating essay entitled "Too Much of a Good Thing" by Richard B. Woodward in the June 2003 Atlantic. The reporting of both Rantanen's and Messier's work sent shockwaves in the art world.
Dan Rather Reports Cites Work by IPS' Walter Rantanen 
In Dan Rather Reports episode 227, "The Trouble with Touchscreens," work by Walter Rantanen of our Fiber Science team was presented. This provocative, hard hitting program puts Sequoia Voting Systems smack in the middle of the infamous controversy around “hanging chads” that wreaked havoc with the 2000 Presidential election vote count.