Document Analysis

Document analysis Write the following: A guy is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: ‘Talking Dog For Sale.’ He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard. The Lab looks up and says, ‘Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.’

Document Analysis The examination of questioned documents with known material for a variety of purposes; such as authenticity, alterations, erasures, obliterations.

History One of the first important uses was in the case of the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s young son (1927). 1999: officially accepted as uniquely identifying by the US Court of Appeals

I. Document Examiner Role of the document examiner Identifies efforts to obscure or alter original contents of writings/typewritten material May recover original contents of writings or typewritten material Evaluates authenticity of questioned documents

I. Document Examiner cont’d B. Questioned document Any object that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt Examples: letters, checks, contracts, wills C. Collect Known Writings (Exemplars) Uniqueness of handwriting makes this type of physical evidence almost like a fingerprint; a definitive physical characteristic

II. Handwriting comparisons A. General Style Education guides early handwriting development. In the US, two major styles taught: 1. Palmer method (1880)

II. Handwriting comparisons cont’d 2. Zaner-Bloser method (1885)

II. Handwriting comparisons cont’d B. Variations in handwriting Combination of mechanical, physical, and mental functions no single characteristic can be the basis of a positive comparison Combination makes it extremely unlikely that writing can be produced exactly by two people

Forgery of Abraham Lincoln Letter

II. Handwriting comparisons cont’d C. Major categories of handwriting analysis Letter form Line form Formatting

12 Points of Comparison Line quality Spacing of words and letters Relative height, width, and size of letters Pen lifts, separations Connecting strokes Beginning and ending strokes Unusual letter formation Shading or pen pressure Slant of letters Baseline habits Flourishes or embellishments Placement of diacritics

II. Handwriting comparisons cont’d D. Collection of exemplars 1. Known writings should be as similar as possible to the questioned document. a. writing implement, paper or other b. similar words and letter combinations c. enough exemplars to establish natural variations d. age of exemplars (+/- 2 years) d.age of exemplars should coincide with genuine document (+/- 2 years)

II. Handwriting comparisons cont’d 2. Minimize deception Require several pages of writing (dictation) Content similar to questioned document Use same writing implement and medium 3. Physical evidence Handwriting specimens are considered physical evidence; not protected by 5th amendment Taking handwriting samples does not violate 4th amendment 5th– not incriminate yourself 4th– illegal search and seizure

III. Paper and Ink comparisons A. Compare Ink “Tagged” ink (rare Earth Metals) Analyzed by Microspectrophotometer, Chromatography: TLC, HPLC Since 1970 Ink dating (since 1968; accurate to within 6 months) Dye ratio Studies have shown that different inks have different drying times. The new method for analyzing the drying time of ink is done by chemical analysis. Hardening of resins in ink causes measurable change. TLC -– used for separations of inks made with organic dyes 1968- first techniques to date ink established 1970- “tagged” ink established These new developments are extremely important when examining ledger or medical-record entries. It has been established that the longer ink has been on a sheet of paper, the slower it will dissolve in the various solvents used to analyze them. It is now possible to identify the age of ink to within a six-month period. This new process of dating the age of inks has had dramatic impact on the examination and detection of backdated documents. Many malpractice cases have been won due to the analysis of ink on questioned medical records. Dye ration: relative concentration of dyes in ink can be compared

III. Paper and Ink comparisons B. Compare paper Fiber identification: characterization of additives, fillers, and pigments Characterization: appearance, color, weight, watermarks

IV. Typewritten Comparisons A. Photocopier, Fax, Printer; Type-writers 1. Photocopiers Transitory patterns 2. Fax machines Header called TTI (transmitting terminal identifier); 3. Computer Printer Printer model technology determination and ink type are most important Categorized as impact (thermal dot-matrix) and non-impact (laser, ink-jet) application of toner 4. Type-writers Photocopier- Transitory patterns- random debris on glass paten, inner cover, or mechanical portions of a copier produce images; sometimes irregular, sometimes distinctive; can be used as point(s) of comparison; identification of toner type can usually determine photocopier machine identity Fax: type style of TTI different from body of fax Fax: TTI database collection maintained by Assoc of Doc Exam; usually first point of examination Printer– visual and microscope examination help determine technology and toner Type-writers (hardly used; database of type styles correlated to model/manufacturer)

V. Alterations, Erasures, Obliterations A. Alterations Erasure is most common (rubber eraser, sand paper) razor blade, knife In all cases, upper fibers of paper are disturbed (apparent under microscope)

V. Alterations, Erasures, Obliterations B. Obliterations Use of chemicals most common (bleach, or other strong oxidizing agents) Writings can be recovered by use of microscope or UV light microscope may show color variations; UV light can show fluorescent markings

V. Alterations, Erasures, Obliterations IR luminescence can show different inks or residue remaining after erasure

IR luminescence shows that a different ink was used to write over an original number.

VI. Technology Biometric pad Computerized analysis (FISH) Forensic Information System for Handwriting FISH: forensic information system for handwriting