1. Questioned Documents

2. Any object with handwriting or print whose source or authenticity is in doubt.
Questioned Document

3. Hitler’s Diaries

4. A match is a subjective and is based on the examiners opinion and expertise.
Document Examiners
Like fingerprint matching no set number of characteristics need to be made to deem it a match. Examiner needs to be versed in microscopy, chromatography, and photography.
No single handwriting characteristic can in itself be taken as the basis for a positive comparison.
The final conclusion must be based on a sufficient number of common characteristics between the known (exemplars) and questioned writing samples.
There are no hard and fast rules for a sufficient number of personal characteristics; it is a judgment call made by the expert examiner in the context of each case.

5. Handwriting Individual evidence. Everyone’s is unique
Document experts continually testify to the fact that no two individuals write exactly alike.
Many factors comprise the total character of a person’s writing.
The early stages of learning handwriting are characterized by a conscious effort to copy standard letter forms.
However, as writing skills improve, nerve and motor responses associated with the act of writing become subconscious.
The unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical.

6. Zaner-Bloser System Palmer System
Depending on what style you were taught there are differences in the why characters are made and overtime, you add your own twist.
Palmer System

7. The Hardware – ink, pens, paper, pencils, typewriters, printer…
Visual Examination of the writing
Handwriting Analysis

8. Variations in Handwriting
Things to look for:
Angularity
Slope
Speed
Pressure
Spacing (within words and between)
Size of letters
Connections
Pen movement (lifts or letter connections)
Writing skill
Dexterity
Flourishes/Embellishments
Diatric Placement (dotting I’s and crossing T’s)
Variations in Handwriting

9. Other Considerations Arrangement of writing on page Diction and Syntax
Alcohol/drugs
Other Considerations
Look at the margins, spacing, crowding, insertions, alignment.
If the paper is lined, did they start on the line, above or below. Did they write straight across the line or did it start to drift up or down.
Spelling, punctuation, phraseology, and grammar can be personal and help to individualize the writer.
Furthermore, the writing style of one individual may be altered beyond recognition by the influence of drugs or alcohol.

10. Exemplars Known writing samples for comparison.
The collection of an adequate number of known writings (exemplars) is most critical for determining the outcome of a handwriting comparison.

11. What Exemplars Must Contain
Same word and letter combinations as questioned document
Length needs to be sufficient to show range of natural writing variations
Paper and writing implement needs to be the similar/same.
What Exemplars Must Contain
When collecting examples or having someone create the examples things to consider
Consult with a handwriting expert/document examiner before collecting exemplars.
Allow writer to write sitting comfortably at desk or table without distraction
Do not show the writer the questioned document or offer spelling or grammatical assistance
Provide pen and paper similar to those used in questioned document
Dictated text should be same as content in questioned document or contain many of the same words, phrases, and letter combinations in the document.
Do not encourage the writer to write in any particular fashion (lower case, all uppers, small or large)…if the writer after a time does not include the desired type of writing then it may be appropriate to ask.
Text should be at least a page in length.
Dictation should be done at least 3 times…noticeable variations will be created throughout the examples.
If a signature is required it is best to have them fill it out on separate documents (checks or receipts). Not just a list of signatures.

13. Simulated forgery : one made by copying a genuine signature
Traced forgery : one made by tracing a genuine signature
Blind forgery : made without a model of the signature
Methods of Forgery

14. Traced from genuine signature
Genuine Mickey Mantle
Simulated Forgery
Simulated Forgery created from memory after seeing real signature or copying an actual model
Tracing done following a genuine signature or overlaying a genuine signature and using transmitted light to follow the line of writing.
Traced from genuine signature

15. Transcript Comparisons
Did document come from same printer, copier, or fax machine.
Use of printing devices create individual characteristics
Transcript Comparisons
Whether a particular suspect printing device can be identified as having prepared the questioned document
Whether the make and model of the printing devices used to prepare the questioned document can be identified
As is true for any mechanical device, use of a printing device will result in wear and damage to the machine’s moving parts.
These changes will occur in a fashion that is both random and irregular, thereby imparting individual characteristics to the printing device.
The document examiner has to deal with problems involving business and personal computers, which often produce typed copies that have only subtle defects.

16. Things to Look For Tool Marks Transitory Defect Marks
Fax machine headers
Toner
Toner application methods
Mechanical and printing characteristics
Things to Look For
Tool Marks are imperfections made by creation of machine and wear and tear.
Transitory defects: develop from debris left on glass paten, inner cover, mechanical parts – create points of comparision