Handwriting Analysis and Questioned Documents

Choice #1

Exemplar

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

Line habit

Is the text on, above, or below the line

Pen pressure

the pressure equal or unequal when applied to upward and downward strokes

Fraud

the intentional act of deceiving someone to gain an unfair advantage or to cause harm.

Freehand

attempt to copy a signature or handwriting sample

Tracing

placing a new document over the original and tracing it

Disguised writing

Attempting to alter writing so it cannot be traced back

Counterfeit

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

Currency

a system of money in general use in a particular country.

Fish

Forensic information system for handwrititng: A computer program used by the secret service of document examination

Watermarks

A recognizable image or pattern embedded into a digital or physical document to identify the owner, prevent unauthorized duplication, or add a decorative effect. Used on US dollars.

Infrared

Part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Used to see heat/other things we normally cannot see

Ransom

A sum of money demanded for the release of a person or property, often associated with kidnapping or extortion.

Court of Appeals

A court that hears appeals from lower courts, reviewing decisions for legal errors. It does not conduct trials but evaluates the application of law.

Handwriting expert

A forensic specialist who analyzes handwriting to determine authenticity, authorship, and altercations in documents