Questioned Documents Unit

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Do Now: What kind of documents will investigators observe in order to connect suspects to a crime?

Questioned Documents: Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Questioned Documents: Any document about which some issue has been raised or that is the subject of an investigation.

Examples of Questioned Documents Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Examples of Questioned Documents Checks Licenses and Certificates Passports (Counterfeit) Money Receipts Lottery tickets Historical documents Ransom and suicide notes Forgeries of Art

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Document Examiners: Mostly examine handwriting to originate its source or its authenticity Will also examine typed writings, computer printings, photocopies, inks, papers, and forgeries, and decode altered and charred documents May need to use microscopes, photographs, chromatography, and other lab examinations on the questioned documents Many work in federal, local, and state crime labs, but they may also work in private practices

Two individuals cannot have exactly identical handwriting Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Handwriting: Two individuals cannot have exactly identical handwriting Since handwriting is associated with mechanical, physical, and mental functions, it is almost impossible to reproduce exactly Handwriting can be almost as individual as a person’s fingerprint

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars A positive comparison must be based on an ample number of common characteristics between known and questioned writings Collecting a lot of exemplars (known writings) is critical in order to make a comparison Exemplars should contain some of the same words or combinations of letters that are present in the questioned document(s)

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Two writings came from one person if: their similarities are unique and no unexplainable difference(s) are found Examine the questionable document for detectable traits and record them Obtain a known sample of the suspect’s writing (an exemplar) Compare and draw conclusions about the authorship of the questionable document Collecting a lot of exemplars is critical in order to make a comparison. Exemplars should contain combinations of letters that are present in the questioned document(s)

Spacing: Are the letters and words equally spaced or crowded? Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars 12 Handwriting Characteristics (Exemplars) Line quality: Are the lines smooth, free- flowing? Or shaky and wavering? Spacing: Are the letters and words equally spaced or crowded?

Continuous: Is the writing continuous or does the writer lift the pen? Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Size consistency: Examine the relative height, width and size of letters. Is it consistent? Continuous: Is the writing continuous or does the writer lift the pen? Forgeries may have lifts or separations in unusual places, such as within a letter

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Connecting letters: Compare the strokes between upper and lower case letters. Are they connected? Letters complete: Look at beginning and ending strokes. Are letters completely formed? Are parts missing?

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Cursive and printed letters: Are there printed letters, cursive letters, or both? Pen pressure: Differing amounts of pressure used by the writer can make lines light or dark, narrow or wide. Is pressure equal when applied to upward and downward strokes?

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Slant: analyzing the writing slant- left, right, straight, or variable? Line habits: are the writer’s letters on, above, or below the baseline?

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Fancy curls or loops: Are there any fancy letters, curls, loops, circles, or other embellishments? Letter characteristics: Are t’s crossed in the middle, towards the top, or bottom? Where is the placement of the dot (or circle, heart, etc.) above lowercase i’s?

Factors that affect handwriting samples: Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Factors that affect handwriting samples: Position of writer (sitting or standing) Position of Document (flat, vertical or horizontal surface) Other Factors (under the influence of drugs, illness or injury)

Type of writing instrument Writing surface Underlying surface Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Type of writing instrument Writing surface Underlying surface Mood of writer Age of writer Writing speed

Complete the handwriting matching activity. Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample using the 12 exemplars Complete the handwriting matching activity. Closure: Which factors do you think currently affect your handwriting at any given moment the most?

Do Now: Take out your notes. What does “line quality” mean? Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Do Now: Take out your notes. What does “line quality” mean? Complete the handwriting activity 1. Closure: Does your handwriting slant to one side? Which side?

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Do Now: Take out your notes. What does “continuous writing” mean? Complete the handwriting activity 2. Circle, underline, or highlight at least 6 pieces of proof for your answer to question 1, in addition to the data table. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzXXO492Gas Closure: What is the most interesting fact about the zodiac killer that you have learned?

Closure: Do you have a hard or soft writing pressure? Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Do Now: Look at previous answers to your do-nows. Is your handwriting continuous? Start the handwriting activity 3. You should get at least 3 data tables finished. There will be a total of 7 data tables. Closure: Do you have a hard or soft writing pressure?

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Do Now: Look at previous answers to your do- nows. Characterize how you do your “i” and cross your “t”. Finish the handwriting activity 3. There will be a total of 7 data tables. Closure: On a scale of 1-10, how much do you like handwriting analysis and would you consider it as a profession?

Do Now: Why are “i” and “t” such important letters to analyze? Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Do Now: Why are “i” and “t” such important letters to analyze?

Analysis of the Tops & Bottoms of Letters and the Slants of Letters Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Analysis of the Tops & Bottoms of Letters and the Slants of Letters Draw a dot at the top of each letter and connect the dots Draw a line through the center of each letter (maintaining the slant of the letter)

Complete the handwriting activity 4. And hand it in. Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Complete the handwriting activity 4. And hand it in. Closure: Can you still analyze handwriting efficiently if the writer writes in all capital letters?

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Do Now: Before the extensive use of computers like now, serial killers often (and still do) write letters to the police in their own handwriting. What ways could they disguise their writing sample? Complete the serial killer handwriting worksheet and hand it in. Do not write on the group handout. Closure: What do you feel were the most obvious similarities between the serial killers writing samples?

Do Now: Give an example of a “fancy letter” used in our 12 exemplars. Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing tops & bottoms of letters and the Slants of letters Do Now: Give an example of a “fancy letter” used in our 12 exemplars.

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing chromatography results Analyzing Ink Chromatography is a method of physically separating the components of inks. Types HPLC—high-performance liquid chromatography TLC—thin-layer chromatography Paper chromatography

Paper Chromatography of Ink Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing chromatography results Paper Chromatography of Ink Example: Two samples of black ink from two different manufacturers have been characterized using paper chromatography.

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing chromatography results Retention Factor (Rf) Rf is a number that represents how far a compound travels in a particular solvent It is determined by measuring the distance the compound traveled and dividing it by the distance the solvent traveled.

Objectives: Determine the origin of a writing sample by analyzing chromatography results Closure: Which spot below (A-D, i-iv) has the greatest retention factor?

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Do Now: What are some measures the government uses to try to make counterfeiting checks and money difficult or impossible?

Forgery Forged documents include: checks employment records Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Forgery Forged documents include: checks employment records legal agreements licenses wills Fraudulence—forgery for material gain

Check forgery can include: Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Check forgery can include: ordering another’s checks from a deposit slip altering a check intercepting another’s check, altering, and cashing it creating a check from scratch

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Check Forgery Americans write 70 billion checks per year – approximately $27 million worth of illegitimate checks are cashed each day.

Preventing Check Forgery Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Preventing Check Forgery Chemically sensitive paper Large font size requires more ink and makes alterations more difficult High resolution borders that are difficult to copy Multiple color patterns Embed fibers that glow under different light Use chemical wash detection systems that change color when a check is altered

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Literary Forgery Forgery of a piece of writing such as a historic letter or manuscript is literary forgery.

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting When false documents or other items are copied for the purpose of deception, it is called counterfeiting. This is a criminal activity existing since antiquity Items commonly forged today include: Currency Traveler’s checks Food stamps Certain bonds Postage stamps

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Counterfeit Currency Security features are added to paper currency that scanning cannot reproduce Regular printer paper contains starch; Paper currency contains rag fiber instead of starch. Number one reason people suspect fakes is because it doesn’t feel right.

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Intaglio Printing Intaglio printing process is used for the black print on the front side of the notes and the green print on the back side. Treasury seal, Federal Reserve seal, and serial numbers are printed by a typographic or letterpress process

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Intaglio Photocopied

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Serial Numbers Two serial numbers printed in green ink on the face of each note. No two notes of the same series, bank, and denomination have the same serial number. The Federal Reserve banks are designated by a letter and a corresponding numeral. The first character of the serial number is a letter that designates the Federal Reserve Bank and matches the letter in the Federal reserve seal. Corresponding numerical designation of the Federal Reserve Bank is printed in four locations on the face of each note.

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Currency is always being redesigned to make it more difficult to counterfeit. New bills: $20 – October 9, 2003 $50 – September 28, 2004 $10 – March 2, 2006 $5 – Early 2008

Authentic vs. Counterfeit Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Authentic vs. Counterfeit The tiny, intricate lines and details on paper money do not always print well in counterfeit bills.

Verifying Authentic Currency Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Verifying Authentic Currency New Security Features: Portrait stands out and appears raised off the paper Contains clear red and blue fibers woven throughout the bill Has clear, distinct border edges Treasury seal is shown with clear, sharp saw-tooth points Watermark appears on the right side of the bill in the light

Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting The security thread is evident—a thin embedded vertical strip with the denomination of the bill printed in it There is minute printing on the security threads, as well as around the portrait When the bill is tilted, the number in the lower right-hand corner makes a color shift from copper to green

Examples of Security Features Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Examples of Security Features

Closure: List some comparisons in the evolution of the $20 bill below: Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Closure: List some comparisons in the evolution of the $20 bill below: 1929 Current 1985

Do Now: Where is the security thread on a five dollar bill located? Objectives: Determine how Forensic document examiners reconstruct shredded documents Do Now: Where is the security thread on a five dollar bill located?

Shredded Material Recovery Objectives: Determine how Forensic document examiners reconstruct shredded documents Shredded Material Recovery The purpose of our work was to turn bags of shredded documents like these...

Shredded Material Recovery Objectives: Determine how Forensic document examiners reconstruct shredded documents Shredded Material Recovery Into legible documents like these...

Shredded Material Recovery Objectives: Determine how Forensic document examiners reconstruct shredded documents Shredded Material Recovery Which involved separation of individual shreds from the pile and re-assembling them piece by piece.

Shredded Material Recovery Objectives: Determine how Forensic document examiners reconstruct shredded documents Shredded Material Recovery Each bag of shredded paper contained an average of 100 recoverable documents.

Complete the paper shredder lab and hand it in. Objectives: Determine how Forensic document examiners reconstruct shredded documents Complete the paper shredder lab and hand it in. Closure: How can you tell where a dollar bill is printed?

Watch “Catch Me If You Can” and fill out the answers on the worksheet. Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Do Now: Pick up a video worksheet and put you name on it. There is no do now sheet this week. Watch “Catch Me If You Can” and fill out the answers on the worksheet. Closure: Complete as many of the worksheet answers as you can.

Do Now: Find your video worksheet. Review yesterday’s video segment. Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Do Now: Find your video worksheet. Review yesterday’s video segment. Watch “Catch Me If You Can” and fill out the answers on the worksheet. Closure: Complete as many of the worksheet answers as you can.

Do Now: Find your video worksheet. Review yesterday’s video segment. Objectives: Determine the measures used to prevent forgery and counterfeiting Do Now: Find your video worksheet. Review yesterday’s video segment. Watch “Catch Me If You Can” and fill out the answers on the worksheet. Closure: Complete all answers and hand in your video worksheet.

Do Now: Give three examples of “questioned documents.” Objectives: Develop skills to determine if documents are counterfeit or real. Do Now: Give three examples of “questioned documents.” Finish yesterdays shredder lab if you didn’t. You have 3 minutes to check over everyone’s documents.

Objectives: Develop skills to determine if documents are counterfeit or real. Counterfeit Money: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzYtozBwOxQ Counterfeit Passports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzt4VVDX-T0 Complete the counterfeit questions and hand them in. Closure: It is said to be easier to counterfeit paper money rather than coins. Why do you think this is true?

Objectives: develop a review sheet to study for the upcoming test. Do Now: What topics are on the test tomorrow? Graphology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoCAcLB1LbI Complete the questioned documents review sheet in order to figure out what is on the test tomorrow and study. Closure: What are you missing? Write it down and see me about getting copies. Hand in your do-now sheets (no do-now tomorrow)