Warm Up Objective: Scientists will describe questioned documents by analyzing handwriting. What is the topic? What will you be doing? Why is this important? How will you know if you have done well?

Warm Up Objective: Scientists will describe questioned documents by analyzing handwriting. What is the topic? Questioned documents What will you be doing? Analyze handwriting Why is this important? Future career; evidence How will you know if you have done well? Able to describe questioned documents; analyzed handwriting accurately

Introduction What is a questioned document? 3

Introduction A questioned document is any document that has handwriting, a written mark, type, or any paper and ink with uncertain authenticity. checks wills passports drivers licenses currency letters and contracts suicide notes receipts 4

Part A: Analysis of your handwriting Write your signature 4 times without thinking about it. Answer the 3 questions when complete.

12 Characteristics of Handwriting 1. Line Quality Do the letters flow or are they erratic and shaky? 2. Spacing Are the letters equally spaced or crowded? 3. Size consistency Is the ratio of height to width consistent? 4. Continuous Is the writing continuous or does the writer lift the pen? 5. Connecting Letters Are capitals and lowercase letters connected and continuous? 6. Letters Complete Are letters completely formed? Or, is a part of the letter missing? 7. Cursive and printed letters Are there printed letters, cursive letters, or both? 8. Pen Pressure Is pressure equal when applied to upward and downward strokes? 9. Slant Left, right, or variable? 10. Line Habits Is the text on the line, above the line, or below the line? 11. Fancy curls or loops Are there fancy curls? 12. Placement of crosses on t’s and dots on i’s Correct or misplaced? Are t’s crossed, crossed in the middle, toward top, or toward the bottom? Are the i’s dotted, dotted toward the right, left, or centered?

Part B: Writing from different people Write the sentence. What I really enjoy doing most at school is coming to forensic science. Then pass your paper to two others. Be sure to record their names. Complete the analysis in the data table. Use the “how to analyze these characteristics” to guide you.

Forgery Follow the steps indicated in the forgery table. Answer the questions when complete.

Types of Forgery Blind forgery – made without a model of the signature or the writing being forged Simulated – one made by copying a genuine signature Traced – one made by tracing a genuine signature