Partial discharge monitoring is frequently used in AC cable systems, and there exists a strong desire for the same for DC cables within the electrical power industry, given their recent increased use. However, DC PD is a less well understood phenomenon. This paper provides analysis of three methods of partial discharge characterisation: pulse duration and amplitude analysis, frequency-domain spectra analysis, and partial discharge inception voltage analysis in artificially-created voids in polymeric cable insulation samples (polyethylene and polypropylene) under both AC and positive and negative DC excitations. From these a 'finger-print' of the defects can be determined based on the distribution of energy within the discharge frequency spectrum, and the inception voltage.