Document Analysis

Document analysis consists of many different parts of the document Document analysis consists of many different parts of the document Used often in forensics Used often in forensics Criminals may forge wills, checks, and deeds Criminals may forge wills, checks, and deeds May copy or create a false document May copy or create a false document

Document Analysis There are different parts of analyzing a document: There are different parts of analyzing a document: –Handwriting Analysis –Paper Types –Ink identification using chromatography –Hidden changes and concealed writing

Handwriting Analysis Handwriting is unique to an individual Handwriting is unique to an individual Close analysis will highlight certain details that can indicate forgery Close analysis will highlight certain details that can indicate forgery –Forgery – illegal act of reproducing someone’s signature without permission Forgery is common when forging names on checks Forgery is common when forging names on checks

Handwriting Analysis Handwriting Analysis Comparison is the most common analysis Handwriting Analysis Comparison is the most common analysis People develop unique writing characteristics as they mature People develop unique writing characteristics as they mature Unique characteristics carry over even if writer tries to disguise their writing Unique characteristics carry over even if writer tries to disguise their writing

Handwriting Analysis Experts usually examine specific characteristics including: Experts usually examine specific characteristics including: –Line Quality – Do the letters flow together? –Spacing of words and letters – Looking for average space between letters –Ratio of height, width, and size of letters – Are the letters consistent? –Lifting Pen – Does the author lift pen to start a new word? –Connecting Strokes – How are capitals and lower case letters connected?

Handwriting Analysis –Strokes to begin and end – Where does the letter begin and end on the page? –Unusual letter formation – Unusual slants or angles. –Pen Pressure – How much pen pressure is applied on upward and downward strokes? –Slant – Slant left to right? What angle (protractor)?

Handwriting Analysis Baseline habits – Does the author write on the line or go above or below? Baseline habits – Does the author write on the line or go above or below? Fancy writing – Are there unusual curls or loops present? Fancy writing – Are there unusual curls or loops present? Placement of Diacritics – Does the author cross the T’s or dot the I’s? Placement of Diacritics – Does the author cross the T’s or dot the I’s?

Paper Types Person may try to forge a document that on paper that was not around years ago Person may try to forge a document that on paper that was not around years ago There are many different types of papers that have developed over the past half century There are many different types of papers that have developed over the past half century

Paper Types Ancient Egyptians used to write on papyrus Ancient Egyptians used to write on papyrus First paper invented in 105 B.C. by the Chinese First paper invented in 105 B.C. by the Chinese Paper consists of strands of cellulose held together Paper consists of strands of cellulose held together

Paper Types Paper can be made from a range of plants Paper can be made from a range of plants Paper used to make money is made from blend of flax and cotton Paper used to make money is made from blend of flax and cotton Most paper now is made from wood Most paper now is made from wood When analyzing paper the length of strands of cellulose is important When analyzing paper the length of strands of cellulose is important

Paper Types Paper made with long strands of cellulose is typically stronger but rougher and the shorter strands are weaker and smoother Paper made with long strands of cellulose is typically stronger but rougher and the shorter strands are weaker and smoother When paper is recycled it is turned into pulp When paper is recycled it is turned into pulp Then it’s re-created into paper and usually will have shorter cellulose strands Then it’s re-created into paper and usually will have shorter cellulose strands

Ink Identification Ink is usually analyzed using chromatography Ink is usually analyzed using chromatography Chromatography is a process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency Chromatography is a process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency Used to tell you which type of ink was used to create a document Used to tell you which type of ink was used to create a document

Hidden Changes A document can contain information that is not immediately obvious A document can contain information that is not immediately obvious Words could have been hidden using correction fluid, chemically removed, or erased Words could have been hidden using correction fluid, chemically removed, or erased Secret message could be written with invisible ink Secret message could be written with invisible ink Could hold impressions of another document written on top of it Could hold impressions of another document written on top of it