Questioned Documents Test

Biometric Signature Pad

programmed to evaluate speed, pressure, and rhythm of person’s signature; able to recognize how a person writes to easily detect differences and forgeries

Chromatography

technique used to separate individual dye components

Electrostatic Detection Device

machine used to reveal text from indented impressions

Infrared Spectroscope

used to determine if more than one type of ink was used based on wavelengths

Microscope

tool used to initially compare in a handwriting analysis

Alteration

removing, adding, or charging a portion of the original

Disguised

type of forgery to attempt altering writing so it can’t be traced back

Erasure

type of alteration to erase part of a document with an eraser, knife, sandpaper, or sharp tool

Freehand

type of forgery to attempt to copy a signature or handwriting sample

Obliteration

type of alteration to get rid of a document by burning, bleaching, or using a laser

International Ink Library

federal forgery enacted in 1823 prohibited forgery and made it illegal (for the purpose of financial gain)

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

1996

In cases of forgery, what is the job of the document expert?

determine if document is forged

In cases of forgery, what is the job of the judge or jury?

determine if writer’s intent was to fraud

Why was the Secret Service established in 1865?

to suppress counterfeiting and investigate counterfeit US currency

What task was added to the Secret Service in 1901?

protect the president

Counterfeit

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

Questioned Document

any signature, handwriting, typewriting, or other written mark whose source is in dispute or uncertain

Forgery

process used by criminals to make, alter, or falsify a person’s signature or a document with the intent to deceive someone

Identification

determination of authorship

Elimination

determination of non-authorship

Inconclusive

no determination can be made based on evidence

Exemplar

a known sample of the suspect’s writing, which can be compared to the questioned document

Cross-Cut Shredding

shredder for confidential documents (credit, college applications, junk mail, insurance papers)

Micro-Cut Shredding

shredder for high-security (medical records, bank statements, employee files)