Forensics Chapter 10: Handwriting Analysis, Forgery & Counterfeiting

questioned document

Any signature, handwriting, typewriting, or other written mark whose source or authenticity is in dispute or uncertain.

b. Document Analysis

The examination and comparison of questioned documents with known material.

c. Document expert

Investigates handwriting, typewriting or computer printouts, commercial printing, and type of paper and ink used.

handwriting

Like fingerprints, __________ is unique to each individual.

The Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination (SWGDOC)

Develops and publishes standards and guidelines for the field of forensic document examination.

questioned document examiners

Forensic scientists who are responsible for using a number of scientific processes and methods for examining documents—whether written, typed, or printed—related to a crime scene investigation.

The Questioned Documents Unit (QDU)

Provides forensic support to the FBI and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies by conducting forensic examinations on evidence collected during an investigation.

FISH: Forensic Information System for Handwriting

Maintained by the U.S. Secret Service, this database enables document examiners to scan and digitize text writings such as threatening correspondence.

International Ink Library

Maintained jointly by the U.S. Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service—includes more than 9,500 inks, dating from the 1920s.

Albert Sherman Osborn

The father of the science of questioned document examination in North America.

American Law Institute

In 1962, __________ developed the standard definition and elements related to the crime of forgery.

handwriting

A key element of document examination focuses on __________, which includes hand printing and signatures.

Electrostatic Detection Device (EDD)

Reveals text from indented impressions

Chromotography

A family of techniques used for separating mixtures

biometric signature pads

Programmed to evaluate the speed, pressure, and rhythm of a person's signature and are able to recognize how a person writes so that it can easily detect differences and recognize forgeries.

forgery

A process used by criminals to make, alter, or falsify a person's signature or a document with the intent to deceive another person.

fraudulence (fraud)

When a material gain accompanies a forgery

Alteration

Removing, adding, or changing a portion of the original.

Erasures

Using an eraser, knife, sandpaper, or sharp tool to erase part of a document

obliteration

Burning, bleaching, or using a laser to get rid of a document

alteration

Adding or changing words, dates, and numbers

Overwriting

Overwrites a portion of the document, for example changing a 4 to a 9

Freehand

Forgery -written with no knowledge of the appearance of the original

usually someone just writing and trying to pass it off as something else

ii. Simulation

forgery - attempt to copy a signature or handwriting sample from a genuine article by trying to imitate the handwriting of the original

Tracing

placing a new document over the original and tracing it

Disguised writing

Attempting to alter writing so it cannot be traced back (Ex. Ransom note or threat)

Counterfeiting

the production of an imitation of currency, artwork, documents, and name-brand knock-off items for the purpose of deception.

The Secret Service

established in 1865 to suppress counterfeiting. It is in charge of investigating counterfeit US currency, a crime that is punishable with up to 15 years in prison.

microsope

Used to view the details of the image close up

Chromotography

Determines individual dye components

Infrared spectroscope

Determines if more than one type of ink was used

International Ink Library

Pen and ink manufacturers are asked to submit their new ink formulations to what database?

financial gain, profit

The federal forgery statute enacted in 1823 prohibited forgery and made it illegal for the purpose of __________

counterfeit

The production of an imitation of currency, artwork, documents, and name-brand knock-off items for the purpose of deception

Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr.

This baby was the son of a famous aviator and kidnapped from his nursery in 1932 for $50,000 ransom. Many ransom notes eventually led to his killer Bruno Hauptmann. What was this child's name?

Dennis Rader

the "BTK Strangler"

JonBenet Ramsey

This 6-year-old beauty queen was thought to be kidnapped due to a ransom note found by her mother, but was later found dead in their own basement.

identification

If a forensic document examiner can make a definitive determination of authorship or source they use this term

elimination

If a forensic document examiner can make a definitive determination of non-authorship, meaning that the writing is from another source, they use this term

inconclusive

If no determination about authorship can be made by a forensic document examiner based on this evidence, they use the term

exemplar

A known sample of the suspect's writing, which can be compared to the unknown document is called

Chromatography

Because of their destructive nature, documents that need this type of analysis are usually sent off to laboratories that specialize in their particular method of analysis

Cross-cut

What is the recommended method of shredding credit or college applications, junk mail, and insurance papers?

micro-cut

What is the recommended method of shredding medical records, employee files, and bank statements?

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

The most faked artist in history

1996

In what year did the government started adding new security features to paper currency that scanning cannot reproduce?

document expert

In cases of forgery, who determines whether the document is forged?

judge or jury

In cases of forgery, who determines if the writer's intent was to defraud?

Protect the President

What task was added to the Secret Service in 1901?

graphology

the pseudo-science involved in producing a personality profile of the writer by examining the characteristics, traits, and strokes of an individual's handwriting.

federal agencies with Questioned Document Units

FBI, Immigration & Customs, Secret Service, US ARMY Crime Lab, IRS, US Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms

The Secret Service

Who maintains FISH and keeps it up to date?

Alexander Hamilton

What president is on the $10 bill?

George Washington

What president is on the $1 bill?

Abraham Lincoln

What president is on the $5 bill?

Andrew Jackson

What president is on the $20 bill?

Define an Examplar

A standard document of known origin & authorship used for comparison

Define Graphology

interpretation of personality of a writer based on handwriting

True or False: Graphology is accepted in Forensic Science

False

Document Analysis is conducted by who?

Document Experts

What is available in Document Analysis

Certification

True or False: Handwriting is Unique

True

Explain the Significance of Robinson V Mandell 1868

First time Handwriting Analysis was used in American Court, Forged Will Case

Explain the Significance of Charles Lindbergh's son, 1930's in relation to Handwriting Analysis

Kidnapping and Murder, Ransom Notes used to convict

What was the significance of the 1999- US Court of Appeals

Determination that handwriting analysis qualifies as a form of expert Testimony

Define Handwriting

Learned Complex Skill affected by writing instrument, mood, drugs/alcohol, age (arthritis, illness) but still unique

Define Letter Form

Shape, Curve, Angle, Slant, Proportional Size, Connecting lines between dotted i's etc.

Define Line Form

Smoothness, Darkness of lines, speed, pressure

Define Formatting

Spacing, Letter Placement on Line, Margins

How can we confidently say that two writings are the product of one person?

The similarities are unique and there are no fundamental unexplainable differences

Define Forgery

A document made or altered with the intent to deceive

What are the four steps of Handwriting Analysis

1. Writing Sample requested (if no exemplar is available)

2. Control Variables

3. Compare Characteristics

4. Peer Review by another trained expert

What Happens during Writing Sample Requested

Supervised, Don't advise suspect

What are some control variables

Paper Type, Writing Implement, ink type, same letters and numbers

Define Conscious Writing Effort

An attempt to disguise ones writing

Define Initial Analysis

Unaided Eye, handheld lens, microscope

Define Infrared Spectroscope

detecting different inks

Define Biometric Signature Pads

Identity Authentication (Speed, pressure, rhythm of signing)

Define Computerized Analysis

Computerized Handwriting Data Base, Comparative Analysis

What is some Court Room Evidence

Analyst Describes procedure and show comparisons, strong factual evidence needed

What are some Shortcomings?

Quality of exemplar often determines quality of an analysis Ultimately subjective (relies on expertise of the examiner) Considered reproducible & peer review

Define Forged Documents

Checks, Employment Records, Legal Agreements, Licenses, Wills

Define Fraudulence (Fraud)

When expectation of financial gain accompanies a forgery

What are some Alternation of Documents

Erasure, Cross-Outs, Additions, Burning

Define Erasure

Removed, Mechanical (Pencil Erasure), Alters (Paper fibers bleaching)

Define Cross-Outs

Solvents could detect

Define Additions

UV/VIS, IR Exposure could distinguish inks

Define Burning

some inks + pencil leads burn slower than paper

How can we prevent forgery

1. Print Checks on Chemically Sensitive Paper

2. Use a large font size

3. Use high-resolution borders on the checks

4. Print Checks in multiple color patterns

5. Embed fibers in checks that glow under different types of lights

6. Use Chemical-Wash detection systems that change color when a check is altered

Provide the Stat about Forgery in regards to Checks

~ 27 million Illegitimate Checks are cashed each day

Define Literary Forgery

A forged Piece of historical writing, such as a letter from a famous person or a manuscript of an important work

How would you make a literary forgery

Need aged paper (current paper made differently) mix inks from old materials Chemical Treatment

What is the Significance of Mark Hoffman 1980's in regard to Literary Forgery

Document Dealer and Forger Created 100's of forgeries Was late with a forgery, planted 3 bombs, 1 blew up in his car and injured him Life sentence for murder and forgery

Define Counterfeiting

the forgery of currency or production of fake name-brand products for deception and profit

Define Currency in terms of Counterfeiting

Coins and Postage Stamps

Define fake name-brand products

Purses

Define Federal Felony

Up to 15 years in prison

Who investigates Counterfeiting

U.S. Secret Service

Define Counterfeit Currency

Scanning and Printing very difficult due to redesigns of currency Special Paper (other don't feel right) Currency changes ( $20 {2003} most frequently counterfeited, $100 {2013} expensive to produce)