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Forensic Science

Questioned Documents

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Questioned DocumentsQuestioned DocumentsAny object that contains handwritten or typewritten/printed markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt is considered a question document.

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Questioned DocumentsQuestioned Documents

These include:

LettersChecksDriver’s licenseContractsWillsPassportsLottery tickets

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Questioned DocumentsQuestioned Documents

Questioned documents may also include writings or markings found on walls, windows, doors, etc.

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Questioned DocumentsQuestioned DocumentsThe document examiner must ascertain the authenticity or source of a document through handwriting examination and the use of microscopy, photography, chromatography to note any change or alterations.

The examiner must be able to recognize erasures and overwriting in attempt to change the original meaning of a document.

The examiner must be able to reconstruct charred or burned paper.

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COMPARISON OF EXPERTSCOMPARISON OF EXPERTSForensic Document Forensic Document

Examiner-Examiner--involves -involves the the analysis and analysis and comparison comparison of of questioned questioned documents with documents with known material in known material in order to order to identifyidentify whenever possible, whenever possible, the author or origin the author or origin of the questioned of the questioned document.document.

GraphologistGraphologist----attempts to attempts to predict predict character character traits from traits from handwriting handwriting examinationexamination

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Related FieldsRelated Fields Historical DatingHistorical Dating——the verification of age and value of a the verification of age and value of a

document or objectdocument or object Fraud InvestigationFraud Investigation——focuses on the focuses on the monemoney trail and y trail and

criminal intentcriminal intent Paper and Ink SpecialistsPaper and Ink Specialists——datedate, type, source, and/or , type, source, and/or

catalogue various types of paper, watermarks, ink, catalogue various types of paper, watermarks, ink, printing/copy/fax machines, computer cartridges printing/copy/fax machines, computer cartridges

Forgery SpecialistsForgery Specialists——analyzeanalyze altered, obliterated, altered, obliterated, changed, or doctored documents and photoschanged, or doctored documents and photos

Typewriting AnalystsTypewriting Analysts——determine origin, make, and determine origin, make, and modelsmodels

Computer Crime InvestigatorsComputer Crime Investigators——investigate investigate cybercrimecybercrime

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Documents ForgedDocuments Forged Check FraudCheck Fraud

ForgeryForgery

CounterfeitCounterfeit

AlterationsAlterations

Paper MoneyPaper Money CounterfeitCounterfeit

IdentityIdentity Social SecuritySocial Security

Driver’s licenseDriver’s license

Credit CardsCredit Cards Theft of card or numberTheft of card or number

ArtArt——imitation with intent imitation with intent to deceiveto deceive Microscopic examinationMicroscopic examination

Electromagnetic radiationElectromagnetic radiation

Chemical analysisChemical analysis

ContractsContracts——alterations of alterations of contracts, medical recordscontracts, medical records

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Handwriting Handwriting ComparisonsComparisons

Unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical.

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Characteristics for Characteristics for ComparisonsComparisons

Line quality Line quality – Do the letters flow or are they – Do the letters flow or are they written with intent strokes?written with intent strokes?

Spacing of words and letters Spacing of words and letters – an average– an average Ratio of height and width of lettersRatio of height and width of letters Connecting strokes Connecting strokes – Are capital letters and lower – Are capital letters and lower

case letters connected?case letters connected? Unusual letter formationsUnusual letter formations Pen pressure Pen pressure SlantSlant – Left, right, slight or pronounced – Left, right, slight or pronounced Baseline habits Baseline habits – Do the letters stay even on the – Do the letters stay even on the

baseline?baseline? Placement of diacritics Placement of diacritics – How– How are the t’s are the t’s

crossed and the I’s dotted?crossed and the I’s dotted?

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Handwriting ComparisonsHandwriting ComparisonsMargins, spacing, crowding, insertions,and alignment arepersonal habits.

Spelling, punctuation, phraseology, and

grammar individualize each writer.

A final conclusion of comparison betweentwo documents must be based on asufficient number of commoncharacteristics.

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Jack the RipperJack the Ripper

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GalileoGalileo

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Writing AlignmentWriting Alignment

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Handwriting ComparisonsHandwriting Comparisons

Circumstances may prevent a positive conclusion:

Insufficient number of known handwriting samples are available

Questioned writing may contain only a few words, deliberately written in disguise

Drugs and alcohol can alter writing habits

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Collection of Handwriting Collection of Handwriting ExemplarsExemplars

In gathering known writing samples for comparison known as exemplars: Known writing should resembled the questioned document

Should contain some of the words and combinations of letters present

Give the range of natural variations

Should be fairly recent, usually within 2-3 years

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Collection of Handwriting ExemplarsCollection of Handwriting Exemplars

To help minimize attempts at deception, investigators can:Require several pages of writingWriting of dictationAllow the writer to sit comfortablyFurnished with pen and paper similar to the questioned documentGive no instructions on grammar or punctuation