Handwriting Analysis, Forgery & Counterfeiting

Document Analysis The examination and comparison of questioned documents with known material Questioned document – any signature, handwriting, typewriting or other written mark whose source of authenticity is in dispute or uncertain

Document Expert A specially trained person who scientifically analyzes handwriting and other features in a document Analyze and compare traits, such as the appearance of letters Also look for changes that may have occurred in an original document...erasures, alterations, etc.

History of Forensic Handwriting Analysis In the 1930's, used to help convict Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby. In 1999, the US Court of Appeals determined that handwriting analysis qualifies as a form of expert testimony Used by Scotland Yard, the FBI and Secret Service

Introduction to Handwriting Everyone's handwriting exhibits natural variation, depending on things such as writing instruments, how hurried we are, our mood, etc. Each person has a unique writing style Characterisitcs such as the slant and curl of letters, height of letters, how the page is filled with text

Characteristics of Handwriting Handwriting examines 12 different exemplars: Letter form Includes shape of letters, curve of letters, angle or slant,proportional size, use and appearance of conecting lines, dotted “i's”, crossed “t's” Line form Smoothness of letters, influenced by speed of writing and pressure applied Formatting Space between letters, between words and lines, margins

Analysis of Handwriting Forgeries – documents that are made, adapted or falsified with the inteniton of deceiving someone A suspected forgery is compared to a sample of the person's writing (a diary, letter, personal note, etc) Forgeries include erasures, replacing statements, overwriting and adding a statement

Investigation of Forgery Abnormal positioning and crowding of numbers Differences in writing and/or ink Tracing – lack of smoothness of lines; size and shape of letter is exactly the same Obvious Erasures – mechanical or chemical Mechanical – rubbing with an abrasive material; disturbs the fibers of the paper Chemical – use of bleach or ink eradicator; visible under UV light

Forgeries Forged items include checks, employment records, legal agreements, licenses, wills, diplomas, etc. Fraud – when material gain (money) accompanies a forgery Counterfeiting – traveler's checks, bonds, food stamps, postage stamps, and currency are among the most often counterfeited items Federal felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison

Types of Writing Tools Ballpoint pen – soluble in alcohol; insoluble in water Felt-tip or roller ball – soluble in water Pencil – softness can usually be determined Typewriting – identified by size, shape, style and color Computer – inkjet vs. laserjet

Chromatography A process in which a chemical mixture (such as ink, lipstick, etc) is carried by a liquid or a gas and separates into components as a result of differential distribution of the solutes

Technology Used in Handwriting Analysis Biometric signature pads – analyzed based on speed, pressure and rhythm Computerized analysis – differences in pen pressure are discovered by shading of the pixels Forensic Information System for Handwriting Computerized handwriting database maintained by the Secret Service