In trying to solve my sister's death (Cindy James) I came across some paperwork that has erasures on it, and I need to figure out how to see the erased information. It could be important. I've tried changing the lighting conditions that cause reflection onto the paper...and looked at the item from different angles...but I can only decipher some of the words in a few cases and in some cases nothing but faint imprints.
There has to be a way to see it!!
:2help

Hmm thats a tough one. You might try putting a uv light behind the paper and see if that helps any. I know that can help when ink has been erased.

Thanks for the suggestion. These are pencil erasures, and I was wondering if there is something that can be added to the paper (without destroying it) that would bring out the scratchings?

What about looking at the engravings the pencil made on the paper as the information was written. Wouldn't there still be the impression of what was written on the paper?

I had thought of that, averman, but the problem is that the paper is thick calendar paper (with pictures on the backside) and no scratches show on the back so I can't get anything there. Very frustrating!
I just tried using tracing paper and gently rubbing with a pencil over the erased patches in front, but nothing shows through!
There has to be a way!

http://www.amazon.com/Detecting-Deciphering-Erased-Pencil-Writing/dp/0398057230

Well I had no idea such a book existed!

Well I had no idea such a book existed!

Neither did I, but I guess there is a book or two on just about any subject these days.

Has anybody read the book Detecting and Deciphering Erased Pencil Writing?

Great news everyone...I've been able to decipher some of the erasures. Thanks to everyone who contacted me at my website to pass on their suggestions. With the help of Averman's idea of looking at impressions, combined with a link from rk, which put me in touch with a site about ESDA testing (Electro-Statis Document Analysis, a forensic technique which allows a scientist to read indentations on paper) I had an idea and was able to come up with an experiment on my own using my son's magnetism project kit -- Using tracing paper, iron filings, and a magnet. Wow...who knew it could work!

Glad I could be of assistance.