Forensic Science

 I. Document Examiners  A. Involves examination of handwriting and typewriting to ascertain the source or authenticity of a questioned document  B. Not restricted to visual examination

 II. Questioned Document  A. Any document that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt  B. Covers all common types of written and printed materials as well as markings and writing in unconventional places

 III. Handwriting Comparisons  A. Document experts continually testify that no 2 individuals write exactly alike  B. People take on unique personal characteristics

 C. To compare 2 handwriting samples a significant number of these personal characteristics should match  D. Problems arise when document contains few words, all deliberately written in crude, unnatural form or written as to disguise the writer’s natural style

 IV. Collection of Exemplars  A. Exemplar = an authentic sample used for comparison purposes, such as handwriting  B. Is critical for determining the outcome of a comparison

 C. Known writings of the suspect furnished to the examiner should be as alike as possible to questioned document  D. Especially true or writing implement (pen, pencil) and paper (ruled, unruled, etc.)  E. Should also contain some of the words and combinations of letters in questioned document

 V. Exemplars  A. Known writings should be adequate in number to show range of natural variations = normal deviations found between repeated specimens of an individual’s handwriting or any printing device

 B. Examiners also have to consider age of document  C. Can be obtained voluntarily or though court order

 D. Gilbert v. California upheld taking of handwriting exemplars before appointment of counsel  E. Also ruled it lies outside 5 th and 4 th Amendments

 F. Requested exemplars may be altered by suspect  G. Steps can be taken to minimize attempts at deception; ex., having them write for several pages

 VI. Conditions for Exemplars  A. Comfortable setting, no distractions  B. Suspect should not be shown questioned document or given instructions  C. Keep paper and writing implement same

 D. Should contain contents (letters, words, phrases) in questioned document  E. Dictation of text should take place 3 times  F. Signature exemplars can best be obtained when suspect is required to combine other writings with signature  G. Document examiner should be consulted

 VII. Handwriting Characteristics  A. Line quality – do letters flow or written with intent strokes?  B. Spacing of words and letters – what is the average space between words and letters?

 C. Ratio of height, width, and size of letters – are they consistent  D. Lifting pen – does the author lift his or her pen to stop writing a word and start a new word?  E. Connecting strokes – how are Capital letters connected to lower-case letters?

 F. Strokes to begin and end – where does the letter begin and end on page?  G. Unusual letter formation – are any letters written with unusual slants or angles? Are some printed and other cursive?

 H. Pen Pressure – how much pressure is applied on upward and downward strokes?  I. Slant – do letters slant to left or right? Degree?  J. Baseline habits – does author write on the line or does the writing go above or below the line

 K. Fancy writing habits – are there any unusual curls or loops?  L. Placement of diacritics – how does the author cross the t’s or dot i’s?