High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) systems were developed for the examination of blue non ball pen inks. Using an isocratic chromatographic system, together with a Spectra Physics multiwavelength detection system, over 100 blue non ball pen inks were distinguished. The majority of these had not previously been separated by traditional methods. This approach offers a number of advantages over thin layer chromatography. Sensitivity is greatly improved, allowing the detection of picograms of sample, and the increased resolution results in far more information being produced, allowing a more meaningful comparison of samples.