CRJU_Module_12_Questioned_Documents_Examinations

CRJU Module 12: Questioned Documents Examinations

Document Examination Techniques

  • Microscopy and Photography: Essential for detecting attempts to change document content.

  • Analytical Methods: Techniques like chromatography are employed to uncover alterations.

  • Identifying Alterations:

    • Overwriting, erasures, or crossing out words must be recognized as efforts to obscure original meanings.

    • Document examiners can recover original contents, even from charred or burned documents.

Definition of Questioned Documents

  • Questioned Document (QD): Any object containing handwritten or typewritten markings whose authenticity is in doubt.

  • Graphology: The discredited study of handwriting to assess personality, unrelated to forensic science.

  • Common Examples: Letters, checks, licenses, contracts, passports, and even writings on surfaces like walls or windows.

Types of Questioned Document Evidence

  • Types of QD Examinations:

    • Analyzing documents for authenticity or origin.

    • Handwriting and typewriting comparisons, checking for erasures and alterations.

  • Authentication: Proving a document's legitimacy, such as verifying authorship.

  • Forgery and Alteration:

    • Forgery: Creating illegal copies to deceive.

    • Alteration: Changing the appearance or meaning of a document.

Writing Process Components

  • Three Parts of the Writing Process:

    1. Writing Surface: Typically paper.

    2. Writing Instrument: Such as pen, pencil, or crayon.

    3. Transfer Medium: Includes ink, paint, chalk, toner, or lead.

Handwriting Characteristics

  • No two individuals write identically; variations account for individual characteristics.

  • Cursive Writing Systems:

    • Palmer method (from 1880).

    • Zaner-Bloser method (from c. 1895).

  • Handwriting Examination Factors:

    • Arrangement, margins, spacing, insertions, alignment, spelling, and grammar all help to individualize the author.

Exemplar and Natural Variations

  • Exemplar: An authentic handwriting sample for comparison.

  • Natural Variations: Normal deviations present in repeated handwriting samples.

  • Standards for comparison should be recent samples (within 2-3 years).

Legal Precedents for Handwriting Samples

  • Gilbert v. California: The Supreme Court allowed handwriting exemplars without disclosing defense counsel.

  • United States v. Mara: Handwriting sample collection does not violate Fourth Amendment rights.

Conditions for Collecting Handwriting Samples

  1. Comfortable writing conditions at a desk/table.

  2. No exposure to the questioned document during writing.

  3. Similar pen and paper used for dictation.

  4. The dictated text should match the questioned document.

  5. Multiple dictations to minimize disguising efforts.

  6. Signature exemplars collected with other writings (e.g., checks).

  7. Consult with a document examiner prior to writing samples.

Analysis of Handwriting

  • Conclusions must be based on common characteristics found in both questioned and known writing samples.

Handwriting Exemplars Collection

  • Adequate exemplars are crucial for analysis; they should include relevant words and letter combinations from the questioned document.

  • Similar writing instruments and paper characteristics are necessary.

Document Examination Specifics

  • Printing Device Analysis: Determining which device prepared the questioned document.

  • Wear and damage to devices produce unique identifying characteristics.

Digital Document Analysis

  • Identification of photocopier or printer models based on examining questioned documents.

  • Comparison of markings and defects between questioned and known printed examples.

Handling Alterations and Erasures

  • Detection Techniques: Microscopy reveals erasures; infrared radiation can uncover overwriting.

  • Erasures cause visible paper fiber disturbance.

Reconstruction and Visualization Techniques

  1. Indented Writings: Evidence from impressions on lower sheets can be visualized using electrostatic charges.

  2. Digital Imaging: Converting images to digital format can enhance obscured information.

Ink and Paper Comparisons

  • Analysis of ink's chemical composition determines if documents were prepared with the same pen.

  • Visible-light microspectrophotometry aids in ink comparison.

Non-Handwriting Document Analysis

  • Assessment of typewritten documents; damaged typewriters or printers can inform analyses.

  • Photocopiers and Toners: Toner composition can identify copier types, with accidental marks on drums serving as individualizing characteristics.

Document Alteration Detection Techniques

  • Initial examination using a stereomicroscope to detect alterations.

  • Non-visible light photography distinguishes identical inks.

  • Analysis instruments like spectral comparators perform non-visible light comparisons.

Handling Charred Documents

  • Special techniques like spectral comparators are employed to read burn-damaged documents.

Indented Writing Analysis

  • Impressions on papers beneath the original help reveal content. Use oblique lighting or the Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA) for visualization.