Forensics Exam 4

What types of examinations are done by the questioned document unit?

hand writing and hand printing physical examinations and a side by side comparison.

How are handwriting comparisons performed? What types of characteristics are considered in handwriting examinations?

compare questioned to known do a simulation or do tracing. Will consider letter shapes and angles, words and their relationship to the baseline and sequence of strokes.

What is the difference between a simulation and a tracing?

A simulation is when someone tries to redraw the writing exactly. Tracing is when its copied and the original is used as a model.

What are non-request specimens? What three things that should be considered when collecting non-request samples?

Non-request specimens are samples from suspects everyday life. They need to be:

1. contemporaneous

2. comparable

3. How much?

What are request specimens? What things should be taken into consideration with request specimens?

Request is where you bring suspect in and have them rewrite original.

1. paper quality, paper size, writing instrument

2. Look for disguise

3. Give general form

4. take verbatim specimens and compare.

What are verbatim specimens? How may verbatim specimens should be taken?

verbatim specimens are repeat evidence, letter heights and baseline habits. Take 15-20 specimens.

What types of things cannot be determined from handwriting? What is this called?

age, sex, race, education, disability, character and intent. This is called graphology.

Is photocopied handwriting suitable for analysis? Why or why not?

photocopied is not suitable for analysis because it may not represent an accurate depiction of the original.

What is indented writing? What two methods are used for analyzing indented writing?

indented writing is impressions created under a different writing. we use sidelining and ESDA to analyze.

What does ESDA stand for? What is this instrument used for? How does it work?

ESDA ( electrostatic detection apparatus). It works on the principle that opposite electrical charges attract. It recovers indented writing.

Is it possible to determine the exact year a document was created?

No you cant but you can try to use what was written to make guesses. Paper types can have date codes.

What are trash marks? How are they used in forensic investigations?

Trash marks= photocopy document. They are made by dirt/dust on a copier and can be used to make physical matches.

Paper edge or fracture matches are used in forensic science to make identifications. What are some examples?

torn dollar bill, stamps, bank robbery note, checks and anything of that sort.

Can fracture matching be done with plastic bags?

yes it can (the case of Dr. G and Mr. Young).

What does VSC stand for? What is this instrument used for?

VSC (video spectral comparator). It is light used to reveal differences in reflective properties of inks.

What are examples of analyses done using the VSC?

Cut edge comparisons, fluorescing fiber matches, stamps and obliterated ink.

To visualize obliterated writing using a VSC, the ink used to write the original message must be _________________ than the ink used to obliterate the message.

Different.

Define forensic anthropology.

Identification of skeletal remains.

When is forensic anthropology useful in forensic science

when human remains are skeletal, badly decomposed, burned, or fragmented

What can a forensic anthropologist determine?

the biological profile, trauma history, time since death, and origin of human skeletal remains.

What four (4) factors affect the shape and size of your bones?

– Genetics – Nutrition – Biomechanics – Pathology.

Can the skeletal remains of a child or an adult be aged more accurately?

Children can be more accurately aged than adults.

What factors are used in assessing the age of an individual based on examination of their skeletal remains?

Dental Eruption, Long bone measurements and Epiphyseal union.

What is dental eruption?

when your teeth move from inside the jaw to the mouth to become a functional tooth.

What is epiphyseal union?

process where the growth plate of a long bone turns completely into solid bone.

What information does the examination of pubic symphysis provide?

The persons age at death.

What are sutures as they relate to the skull? What information does the fusion of sutures provide?

They are the seams where the bones of the skull come together. The suture shows the aging of the skull.

True or False: You can determine the exact age of an individual by examining their skeletal remains.

false.

What traits can be determined by examination of the skull?

age, sex and ancestry

Which bone is the strongest indicator of sex?

The pelvis

True or False: Stature is the height of an individual.

true

What measurements are used to determine stature?

Measurements of the long bones, metatarsals, and metacarpals can be used to estimate living stature.

What is the most difficult characteristic to determine using anthropology (also the least accurate)?

ancestry.

What are the best traits for predicting ancestry?

Traits of the dentition and skull are the most fruitful in determining ancestry.

What are the five key facts you should know about digital forensics?

1. many crimes involve digital evi.

2. every crime scene is a digital evi scene.

3. it is fragile.

4. never assume its destroyed.

5. it can be easily altered.

What are some sources of digital forensic evidence?

computers, phones , cameras, and things like that.

What are the three criminal uses of digital evidence?

target, instrument and repository of crime.

How is digital evidence processed? (What are the 4 steps?)

assessment, acquisition, examination and documenting/reporting.

How do your preserve digital evidence? What is a forensic duplicate?

by using things like duplicates. A duplicate is a an unaltered, bit-by-bit replica of a digital storage medium.

What are hash values? How are they used in digital forensics?

hash value is a digital fingerprint generated when data is passed through a mathematical algorithm. They are used to allow investigators to prove that evidence has not been altered or tampered with.

What types of data are typically found on computers?

active, latent, metadata, stenography and ambient.

What is active data? Latent data? Ambient data? Archival data?

active- Information that is currently visible, live, and accessible

latent- hidden or deleted

ambient- residual or background data left behind in system storage

archival- data that has been copied, backed up, and moved to long-term or secondary storage

What is steganography?

Files hidden in files

What should a digital forensic examiner’s report include?

Summary of Findings

Details of Findings

Supporting Materials

Glossary of Terms

Highly dependent on each agency’s SOP.

How much money is lost to art theft annually and what percentage of stolen art is typically recovered?

$4-8 BILLION ANNUAL ART THEFT (RECOVERY RATE <10%)

What are the top three FBI criminal markets?

1. drugs, 2. weapons, 3. art.

What makes the art world susceptible to crime? (8 factors)

High mobility, Lack of transparency, Fragmented history, Unverified funds, Reliance on trust

Subjective value, Judicial complexity, Reputation and shame.

What are the four main categories of art crime?

MONEY LAUNDERING/FRAUD

TRAFFICKING/DESTRUCTION

THEFT/HEIST

FORGERY

The deliberate destruction of cultural or religious heritage is classified as a

war crime

What are the details of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist, including what was stolen, how the theft occurred, and the current status of the investigation?

two thieves disguised as Boston police officers stole 13 works of art valued at more than $500 million and it is unsolved.

Provide an overview of the Han van Meegeren forgery scandal.

Mark Hofmann executed a high-profile forgery and murder scheme using advanced chemical treatments to age modern documents, which he then sold to collectors and Church authorities before escalating to fatal bombings to prevent exposure.

What forensic disciplines and criminal justice fields are involved in art crime investigations?

specialized scientific, historical, and investigative fields.

List the four primary functions of a forensic artist.

Composite sketches

Age Progression

Court Demonstratives

Facial Reconstruction

What qualifications do you need to be a forensic artist?

a strong background in fine arts or illustration combined with specialized training in human anatomy, digital media, and law enforcement procedures.

Describe the applications and opportunities of digital spheres and game design in forensic science.

Digital spheres and game design transform forensic science by utilizing 3D engines for precise crime scene reconstruction, immersive VR jury walkthroughs, and risk-free, gamified training environments for investigators.