FRSC 18

Questioned Document

Any document with handwriting or print whose source or authenticity is in doubt and is subject to forensic investigation.

Forensic Document Examination (FDE)

The process of comparing questioned writings to known samples to determine authorship or authenticity.

Handwriting

A unique physical evidence trait—no two people write exactly the same due to subconscious motor patterns.

Exemplar

A known writing sample used for comparison with questioned documents.

Document Alteration

Changes made to a document after its original creation, including additions, erasures, or overwriting.

Indented Writing

Impressions left on paper underneath a page that was written on; often recoverable and used as evidence.

Forgery

Fraudulent imitation or alteration of a document or signature.

Check Fraud

Criminal act of writing bad checks or altering them to illegally obtain money.

Counterfeiting

Illegally imitating currency or other official documents.

Document Authentication

Determining whether a document is genuine or has been tampered with.

Variations in Handwriting

Expected differences in writing such as angle, pressure, spacing, and speed, even in samples from the same person.

Influences on Writing

Factors like drugs, alcohol, and health can alter writing style.

Transmitting Terminal Identifier (TTI)

A header printed by fax machines that can help trace the source of a document.

Mechanical Defects

Wear and damage to printing devices that create unique traits, helping identify the machine used.

Microspectrophotometer

A nondestructive tool for comparing ink lines using visible light absorption.

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)

A method used to compare inks by separating components on a plate.

Infrared Radiation

Can reveal writing underneath obliterations or alterations that are invisible to the naked eye.

Charred Document

A document that has become brittle and dark due to exposure to fire or heat.

Image Digitization

Scanning or photographing a document to convert it into pixels for analysis or enhancement.

Ink Analysis

Chemical examination of ink to determine if documents were written with the same pen.

Obliteration

Overwriting or crossing out text to hide original content.

Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)

Imaging system used to detect tampering, watermarks, ink differences, and hidden features.

Alterations

Changes made to a document using different ink, writing tools, or overwriting original content.

Erasures

Physical removal of writing using tools like erasers, razors, or sandpaper—often detectable by microscopes or lighting.

Document Source Questions

Investigations may ask

Paper Analysis

Comparing paper characteristics such as fiber, watermarks, and texture.

Surface Features

Visual traits of a document surface used to identify tampering, such as ink gloss or impressions.

Pseudo-Science

The false belief that handwriting reveals personality traits—rejected in forensic science.

Historical Cases

Famous uses of document examination include the Lindbergh kidnapping, JonBenet Ramsey ransom letter, and Hitler diaries.