Forensics: Document Analysis and Forgery

Document Analysis

examination of questioned documents with known material to confirm authenticity, check alterations/erasures/obliterations

First Use of Document Analysis

1930: kidnapping/murder case of Charles Lindbergh’s young son where ransom notes where used to prosecute

When was handwriting officially accepted as uniquely identifying by US Court of Appeals

1999

Document Examiner Roles

evaluate authenticity of questioned docs, identifies efforts to obscure or alter original contents, may recover original contents

Document Examiner: Questioned Documents

examine letters, checks, contracts, wills, passports, ect if source or authenticity is doubted

Questioned Documents

any document whose source or authenticity is doubted

Document Examiner: Collecting Exemplars

uniqueness of handwriting makes this individualized evidence

Exemplars

samples of known handwriting

Handwriting Comparisons: General Style

education guides early handwriting development using Palmer or Zaner Bloser Method

Handwriting Comparisons: Variations

combo of mechanical, physical, and mental function and its easier to eliminate than match characteristics

Letter Form

shape/style of letters

Line Form

above, below, or on line

Formatting

spacing between letters, words and placement of words on the line and margins a writer leaves empty

Line Quality

smooth or shaky

Spacing

equal or crowded spacing between letters

Pressure

how hard someone was pressing when writing/ speed

Slant

if writing is slanted to the left or right

Embellishment

fancy curve, tail, or flare to a letter

Size Consistency

relative height, width, and size of letters

Connecting Letters

if capitals and lower-case letters are connected and continuous

Line Habits

above, below, or on line

Placement of Diacritics

how one crosses their T’s and dots their I’s

Cursive/ Printed

printed or cursive or both letters

Continuous Lines

does the pen lift

Letters Complete

are letters completely formed or is a part missing

Proper Collection of Exemplars

as similar as possible to questioned doc (writing environment/mechanics), similar words and letter combos, enough to estimate natural variations/ within 2 yrs of document

Minimizing Exemplar Deception

require several pages of writing via dictation, content similar to questioned doc, use same writing medium/implement

Exemplars and the Law

counts as physical evidence, does not violate exclusionary rule of 4th amendment or self incrimination protection of 5th amendment

How many points of comparison does a doc. examiner use

12

What aspects of paper and ink are compared

• comparison of fiber ID additives, filters, and pigments/ color, weight, and watermarks in paper

• comparison of “tagged” ink (rare earth metals), ink dating of dye ratio analyzed by chromatography, TLC, HPLC, microspectrophotometer

Chromatography

process for separating components of a mixture with a mobile phased/ stationary phase

Microspectrophotometer

uses electromagnetic radiation to analyze matter (color/chemical composition)

Thin layer Chromatography

separates components of a mixture using thin stationary phase to isolate non volatile mixtures

High performance liquid chromatography

improved form of chromatography that forces a solvent under high pressures

Types of technology that can be analyzed using typewritten comparisons

photocopier, fax, computer printer, and typewriters

Most common types of alteration

rubber eraser, sand paper, razor blade, knife

What happens to the document in an alteration

upper fibers of paper are disturbed

how does an obliteration most commonly occur

chemically

what tools/techniques help recover alterations, obliterations, and erasures

microscopes, UV light, Infrared luminescence

Technologies that are used to try and protect individuals from fraud/ stolen identity

Biometric pads and computerized analysis in FISH

How to detect art forgery

UV light: synthetic paint glows

Lead Precipitate: form a lead precipitate for a chemical reaction to lead to test age (destructive)

X-Rays: expose painting underneath

Carbon dating: general measurement up to 10k years

Layers of paint: new mixtures have less dimension than older painters

describe features in currency to prevent counterfeiting

hidden features (watermark), red and blue fibers, microprinting, seals, serial number, raised printint

3 Major Categories of Handwriting Analysis

line form, letter form, and formatting