Questioned Documents

Document Examiner

• examine handwriting and typescript to ascertain authenticity

• recognize alterations to documents

• reconstruct written contents of charred or burned paper

Common Crimes

• check fraud

• medical malpractice

• forgeries

• counterfeiting

• identity theft

• bank robberies

• stalking

• extortions

• kidnappings

Questioned Document

Any object that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt

• letters, checks, contracts, wills, driver’s license, passports, lottery tickets

May include writings or markings on walls, windows, doors, or any other objects

Handwriting Comparisons

The unconscious handwriting of 2 different individuals can never be identical

To determine general style: US: Palmer and Zaner-Bloser method

Handwriting Exemplars

An adequate number of known writings is most critical for handwriting comparisons

Known writings should be as similar as possible to the questioned document

Exemplar

an authentic sample used for comparison techniques

Natural Variations

normal deviations found between repeated specimens of an individuals handwriting

Typescript Comparisons

identify the make and model of a machine that may have been used to print a document

Compare a questioned document with test samples printed from a suspect machine (1-10)

Ex: fax machines, computer printers

Transmitting Terminal Identifier

TTI

Erasure

the removal of writing, typewriting, or printing from a document; normally accomplished by either chemical means or an abrasive instrument

Infrared Luminescence 

a property exhibited by some dyes that emit infrared light when exposed to blue-green light

Obliteration

the blotting out or smearing over of writing or printing to make the original unreadable

Indented Writings

impressions left on papers positioned under a piece of paper that has been written on

Paper Analysis

examination of paper on which the document is written or printed

commonly made from cellulose fibers found in wood 

Ink Analysis

determine whether known and questioned documents were prepared using the same writing utensil

study the chemical compound of the writing ink

most commercial inks are a mixture of several organic dyes