1 Forensic Science Questioned Documents

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

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

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

5 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.

6 COMPARISON OF EXPERTS Forensic Document Examiner--involves the analysis and comparison of questioned documents with known material in order to identify whenever possible, the author or origin of the questioned document. Graphologist--attempts to predict character traits from handwriting examination

7 Related Fields  Historical Dating—the verification of age and value of a document or object  Fraud Investigation—focuses on the money trail and criminal intent  Paper and Ink Specialists—date, type, source, and/or catalogue various types of paper, watermarks, ink, printing/copy/fax machines, computer cartridges  Forgery Specialists—analyze altered, obliterated, changed, or doctored documents and photos  Typewriting Analysts—determine origin, make, and models  Computer Crime Investigators—investigate cybercrime

8 Documents Forged Documents Forged  Check Fraud  Forgery  Counterfeit  Alterations  Paper Money  Counterfeit  Identity  Social Security  Driver’s license  Credit Cards  Theft of card or number  Art—imitation with intent to deceive  Microscopic examination  Electromagnetic radiation  Chemical analysis  Contracts—alterations of contracts, medical records

9 Handwriting Comparisons Unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical.

10 Characteristics for Comparisons Line quality – Do the letters flow or are they written with intent strokes? Line quality – Do the letters flow or are they written with intent strokes? Spacing of words and letters – an average Spacing of words and letters – an average Ratio of height and width of letters Ratio of height and width of letters Connecting strokes – Are capital letters and lower case letters connected? Connecting strokes – Are capital letters and lower case letters connected? Unusual letter formations Unusual letter formations Pen pressure Pen pressure Slant – Left, right, slight or pronounced Slant – Left, right, slight or pronounced Baseline habits – Do the letters stay even on the baseline? Baseline habits – Do the letters stay even on the baseline? Placement of diacritics – How are the t’s crossed and the I’s dotted? Placement of diacritics – How are the t’s crossed and the I’s dotted?

11 Handwriting Comparisons 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.

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13 Jack the Ripper

14 Galileo

15 Writing Alignment

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17 Handwriting Comparisons 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

18 Collection of Handwriting Exemplars In gathering known writing samples for comparison known as exemplars: Known writing should resembled 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

19 Collection of Handwriting Exemplars 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