Forensic Science Questioned Documents

Questioned Documents Any object that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt is considered a questioned document.

Questioned Documents These include: Letters Checks Driver’s license Contracts Wills Passports Lottery tickets

Questioned Documents Questioned documents may also include writings or markings found on walls, windows, doors, etc.

Questioned Documents The document examiner must ascertain the authenticity or source of a document through handwriting examination and the use of microscopy, photography, chromatography to note any change or alterations. The examiner must be able to recognize erasures and overwriting in attempt to change the original meaning of a document. The examiner must be able to reconstruct charred or burned paper.

Handwriting Comparisons Although no two individuals write exactly alike, there may be resemblances is their general style. As a student learns and practices their handwriting, they are making a conscious effort to copy a standard letter form. The two most widely used methods taught in nearly all fifty states in the U.S. are the Palmer method (1880) and the Zaner-Blosser method (1895).

Palmer Method Zaner-Blosser Method

Handwriting Comparisons Unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical. Several factors, such as, mechanical, physical, and mental functions, make reproduction of another’s handwriting unlikely. Variations of angularity, slope, speed, pressure, letter and word spacing, relative dimensions, connections, pen movement, writing skill, and finger dexterity are distinguish.

Handwriting Comparisons Margins, spacing, crowding, insertions, and alignment are personal habits. Spelling, punctuation, phraseology, and grammar individualize each writer. A final conclusion of comparison between two documents must be based on a sufficient number of common characteristics.

Handwriting Comparisons Circumstances may prevent a positive conclusion: Insufficient number of known handwriting samples are available Questioned writing may contain only a few words, deliberately written in disguise Drugs and alcohol can alter writing habits

Collection of Handwriting Exemplars In gathering known writing samples for comparison, or exemplars: Known writing should resemble the questioned document Should contain some of the words and combinations of letters present Give the range of natural variations Should be fairly recent, usually within 2-3 years

Collection of Handwriting Exemplars When handwriting exemplars can not be obtained for comparison, a voluntary submittal from the suspect is requested. To help minimize attempts at deception, investigators can: Require several pages of writing Writing of dictation Allow the writer to sit comfortably Furnished with pen and paper similar to the questioned document Give no instructions on grammar or punctuation

There are several mechanical devices and machines a document examiner encounters Computers Typewriters Typewriter ribbon Photocopiers Printers Fax machines Typescript comparisons

Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations The most common way to alter a document is erasure, either using an Indian rubber erasure, or with chemicals. These changes can be seen under a microscope using direct or side lighting.

Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations Examiners often use Infrared Luminescence. When some inks are exposed to blue-green light, they absorb the radiation and reradiate infrared light, making any alterations visible with infrared sensitive film. Infrared luminescence can also reveal writing that has been erased.

Infrared Luminescence examples

Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations Obliteration is the act of blotting or smearing over a writing or printing to make the original unreadable. The contents of a charred document can sometimes Be revealed through infrared photography.

Other Document Problems Indented writings are the impressions left on papers positioned under a piece of paper that has been written on. Sometimes the document is readable with oblique lighting, or angling the document against the light.

Other Document Problems Electrostatic charge can be applied to the surface if the indented document, then layered with toner powder to produce an image.

Other Document Problems An examiner may also compare the chemical composition of the ink present in both documents using thin-layer chromatography. Using a hypodermic blunt tip needle, ink can be extracted and analyzed. Usually 10 plugs are sufficient. Two samples of black ink from two different manufacturers run using paper chromatography

Other Document Problems The paper on which the document is written or printed on is also analyzed by the examiner. Handwriting sample of George W. Bush

Other Document Problems Paper can vary by Appearance Color Weight Watermarks True watermark Fake watermark

Other Document Problems Paper examined under a microscope can reveal: Fibers Fillers Pigments Additives Non-coated Coated

Handwriting Identification “ACE” Analysis of the “knowns” with a determination of the characteristics found in the known Analysis of the questioned or unknown writing and determination of its characteristics Comparison of the questioned writing with the known writing. Evaluation of the evidence, including the similarities and dissimilarities between the “questioned” and “known” writing.

CRAZY CRIMINALS According to Point of View, a magazine published by the Alameda county District Attorney’s office, a guy walked into an Oakland bank and handed the teller a note reading, “this is a stikkup. Hand over all yer money fast.” Guessing from this that the guy was no rocket scientist, the teller replied, “I’ll hand over the cash as long as you sign for it. It’s a bank policy that all robbers have to sign for their money.” The guy thought this over, then said “Uh, I guess that’s OK.” He signed his full name and address. That’s where the cops found him a few hours later.