FSC100 Lecture 10A

What is a questioned document?

Anything that contains letters, numbers, or symbols whose authorship or authenticity is in doubt.

What are the responsibilities of questioned document examiners?

Comparing handwriting samples, examining methods of document creation, and examining altered or damaged documents.

What is the importance of questioned documents in investigations?

They help identify the author or source, yield information about suspects, victims, or locations, provide or prove an alibi, and offer other investigative leads.

What is the basis of questioned document examination?

It is based on scientific comparison and analysis of a document, studying physical characteristics to infer document source or authorship.

What is graphology?

The study of handwriting to determine a person's personality, though it is not commonly accepted in forensic science.

What factors can affect handwriting?

Illness, physical challenges, illicit drug use, stress, emotion, exhaustion, visual impairment, and extrinsic factors like position and tool.

What are altered documents?

Documents that have been changed after original production, such as changes in amounts or erasures.

What is ink differentiation in document examination?

The process of identifying different inks based on their chemical constituents to prove alteration.

What are the general principles of documentation in forensic evidence?

Notetaking, videography, and photography to document the crime scene and evidence.

How should paper documents be preserved?

Use white cotton gloves, package in sterile, acid-free paper evidence bags, and avoid plastic to prevent moisture.

What is the method for preserving charred documents?

Spray with a fine mist of clear varnish and package in a box with loose cotton.

How should water-soaked documents be preserved?

They should be preserved through freezing.

What is a collected exemplar?

A handwriting sample collected at the crime scene, such as a diary or shopping list, which may have a range of variation.

What is a requested exemplar?

A handwriting sample requested by warrant and written under supervision, allowing for like-to-like comparisons.

What are the pros and cons of collected exemplars?

Pro: Range of variation; Con: Authorship may be contested.

What are the pros and cons of requested exemplars?

Pro: Authorship known; Con: May be nervous or stressed, affecting handwriting.

What is the ACE-V method in handwriting analysis?

A method that stands for Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification.

What characteristics are examined in handwriting analysis?

Class characteristics first, then individual characteristics such as slope, angularity, proportions, pressure patterns, and unnatural tremors.

What is the significance of a singular difference in handwriting analysis?

A singular difference cannot count as a match in handwriting analysis.