The methods take two major approaches to dating: the static approach and the dynamic approach. The static approach determines when items in or on a document first came into existence. This approach depends on comparison with reference standards. The dynamic approach involves the aging process. This approach compares the relative aging of items of the same composition and, in most cases, on the same document. Both approaches have historical origins dating to when documents were suspected of being fraudulent. These methods detect fraud but cannot prove authenticity. Authenticity can sometimes be suggested if, for example, several different inks are involved in an old document, none of these proves backdating, and each has a discontinuance date close to the alleged date. The second part of the article will address the relative aging of ink. Figure, table, and 36 references (Author abstract modified)