Created by C. Ippolito March 2008 Document Examination Objectives Define “questioned document.” List some common individual characteristics associated with handwriting. List some important guidelines to be followed for the collection of known writings for comparison to a questioned document. Describe the precautions to be taken to minimize deception when a suspect is requested to write exemplars for comparison to a questioned document. 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Created by C. Ippolito March 2008 Document Examiner check’s handwriting and typescript for authenticity using: microscopy photography chromatography looks for: overwriting erasures reconstruct charred documents uncover indented writing left on pad 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Created by C. Ippolito March 2008 Questioned Document any object with writing or typewriting letters checks lottery tickets driver’s licenses wills contracts 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Created by C. Ippolito March 2008 Known Writings documents of known authorship and origin used for comparison handwriting individual characteristics 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Handwriting Comparisons no two individuals write exactly alike handwriting factors: general style Palmer Zaner-Bloser Spencerian personal characteristics angularity slope speed pressure letter/word spacing letter dimensions letter connections pen movements writing skills 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Challenges to Handwriting Comparison insufficient known writings too few personal characteristics Exemplars same paper same implement same words same letter combinations computer programs can start analysis http://www.cedartech.com/products.html 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Created by C. Ippolito March 2008 Court Challenges Gilbert vs. California upheld taking exemplars before counsel appointed such samples lie outside 5th Amendment protection US vs. Mara taking exemplar is NOT an unreasonable search/seizure does not violate 4th Amendment protection 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Minimizing Exemplar Deception Comfortable seat at desk No knowledge of questioned document Supply pen and paper Text dictated similar to questioned document Dictate and write at least 3x Multiple signatures on multiple documents 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Created by C. Ippolito March 2008 Document Examination Objectives List some of the class and individual characteristics of a typewriter. Describe the proper collection of typewritten exemplars. List some of the techniques utilized by document examiners for uncovering alterations, erasures, obliterations, and variations in pen inks. 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Typescript Comparison - Printers newer printers have inconspicuous defects need at least ten different samples side by side comparison of exemplars and questioned documents Impact Printers produce characters by striking paper Nonimpact Printers prints without striking the paper 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Typescript Comparison – Impact Printers Dot Matrix Printer striking pins against an ink ribbon to print closely spaced dots in the appropriate shape Daisy Wheel Printer works on the same principle as a ball-head typewriter disk made of plastic or metal on which characters stand out 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Typescript Comparison – Nonimpact Printers Thermal Printer heated elements contact special heat sensitive paper forming darkened dots when a critical temperature reached paper tends to darken over time, standard of print produced is poor Laser Printer laser beam and dry powdered ink to produce a fine dot matrix pattern standard of print is very good Ink Jet Printer electrically charged or heated ink being sprayed in fine jets 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Typescript Comparison - Photocopiers can have defects from debris on glass platen, inner cover, mechanical portions best identified by comparison of toners used also applies to newer laser computer printers 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Typescript Comparison – Fax Machines transmitting terminal identifier type style gives clues to model type # of characters and fonts American Society of Questioned Document Examiners keep database 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Typescript Comparison - Typewriters Identify make or model Identify a particular suspect’s machine wear and damage vertical and horizontal alignment typeface defects 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Document Forgery / Alteration Erasures rubber eraser, sandpaper, razor, knife all disturb fibers of paper microscopic examination (direct or side light) Chemical Erasure application of strong oxidants UV light will show changes not seen with eye Obliteration erasure and/or overwriting IR light can show different inks Security Paper 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008

Created by C. Ippolito March 2008 References Anthony, A.T. “Source of Significant Typeface Defects on Electronic Typewriter Printwheels”, Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Decatur, Georgia 12/10/2018 Created by C. Ippolito March 2008