When should destructive ink or paper testing be conducted?

Destructive ink or paper testing should be conducted only after other nondestructive tests have been performed because this approach allows for the preservation of the evidence while still gathering as much information as possible. Nondestructive tests, such as visual examinations, infrared spectroscopy, or x-ray fluorescence, can provide valuable insights into the document's authenticity and composition without damaging the item.

If nondestructive methods yield inconclusive results or suggest that further analysis is needed, only then should a more invasive technique, like destructive ink or paper testing, be utilized. This sequence of testing ensures that while the most critical and initial assessments are made, the integrity of the evidence is maintained, allowing for maximum use in legal contexts or investigations. Conducting destructive tests first could compromise the document before other potentially informative tests are utilized, making this the ideal order of operations.