Forensic Document Analysis

Fraud

Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in material, financial, or personal gain.

Stereomicroscope

A microscope used for viewing large objects which light cannot pass through.

Exemplar

an example or model, especially an ideal one

questioned document

any object that contains that contains handwriting or typewriting and whose source or authenticity is in doubt

traced

forgery made by writing on top of the model

document analysis

examination and comparison of questioned documents with known material

Fradulence

when a financial gain accompanies a forgery

UV light

used to identify luminescent inks and fibers

class characteristic evidence

Features of evidence that assist in initial classification.

Individual characteristic evidence

Characteristics that can be identified as originating from a particular source.

Historical Dating

the verification of age and value of a document or object

paper and ink specialists

date, type, source, and/or catalog various types of paper, watermarks, ink, printing/copy/fax machines, computer cartridges

Forgery Specialists

analyze altered, obliterated, changed, or doctored documents and photos

Typewriting Analysts

determine origin, make, and models

computer crime investigators

investigate cybercrime

Forensic Document Examination

- The analysis and comparison of questioned documents with known material

Watermark

A design incorporated during the manufacturing process.

simulated

forgery made by copying

obliteration

removal of writing by physical or chemical means

blind

forgery made without a model

line quality

Do the letters flow or are they erratic and shaky?

size consistency

Is the ratio of height to width consistent?

continuous

is the writing continuous or does the writer lift the pen

slant

Is the writing angled left, right, or variable

2 phases of document analysis

hardware and writing

Chromatography

used to separate ink

HPLC

high performance liquid chromatography

TLC

thin layer chromatography

Chromatogram

the result of ink separation

forgery, counterfeit, and alterations are all types of ___ fraud

check

alterations of medical records is ____ fraud

contract

size, shape, slant, and strokes of the letters are all characteristics of ____

overall form

Writing speed, pen pressure, spacing between letters and words and how the letters are connected are all characteristics of ____.

line features

Grammar, punctuation and word choice are all characteristics of ___.

content