1. Questioned Documents
Forensic Science

2. Unit 9 Questioned Documents - Contents
Handwriting Analysis
Forgery
Typescript Comparisons
Altered Documents
Other Document Challenges
Counterfeiting

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

4. 1. Questioned Documents: Examples
Checks
Licenses and Certificates
Passports
(Counterfeit) Money
Receipts
Lottery tickets
Historical documents
Ransom and suicide notes
Forgeries of Art

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

6. 1. Questioned Document: Examiners
Mostly examine handwriting to originate its source or its authenticity
Will also examine typed writings, computer printings, photocopies, inks, papers, and forgeries, and decode altered and charred documents
May need to use microscopes, photographs, chromatography, and other lab examinations on the questioned documents
Many work in federal, local, and state crime labs, but they may also work in private practices

7. Unit 9 Questioned Documents - Contents
Handwriting Analysis
Forgery
Typescript Comparisons
Altered Documents
Other Document Challenges
Counterfeiting

8. 2. Handwriting Analysis
Two individuals cannot have exactly identical handwriting
Since handwriting is associated with mechanical, physical, and mental functions, it is almost impossible to reproduce exactly
Handwriting can be almost as individual as a person’s fingerprint

9. 2. Handwriting Analysis Examining and Comparing
A positive comparison must be based on an ample number of common characteristics between known and questioned writings
Collecting a lot of exemplars (known writings) is critical in order to make a comparison
Exemplars should contain some of the same words or combinations of letters that are present in the questioned document(s)

10. 2. Handwriting Analysis: Obtaining Handwriting Samples
Chapter 15
2. Handwriting Analysis: Obtaining Handwriting Samples
The subject should not be shown the questioned document.
The subject is not told how to spell words or use punctuation.
The subject should use materials similar to those of the document.
The dictated text should match some parts of the document.
The subject should be asked to sign the text.
Always have a witness.
Kendall/Hunt

12. 2. Handwriting Analysis: Individual or Class evidence?
Class Characteristics:
Features and dimensions of letters.
Connection of letters to each other
Capitalization
Punctuation
Individual Characteristics:
Unique features of letters.
Is the letter “O” open or closed
Is the “n”written with a pointed tip
**Handwriting samples change about every seven years**

13. 2. Handwriting Analysis
Forensic Information System of Handwriting database (FISH)
High profile case documents or those suspected to be written by a repeat offender may be scanned into the FISH database
This database is maintained by the U.S. Secret Service
It can provide a list of “hits” based on mathematical values calculated from the scanned images, but a document examiner makes the final confirmation or elimination

14. 2. Handwriting Analysis: 12 Characteristics
Examiners use 12 factors to determine authenticity:
Line quality: Are the lines smooth, free-flowing? Or shaky and wavering?
Spacing: Are the letters and words equally spaced or crowded?

15. 2. Handwriting Analysis: 12 Characteristics
Size consistency: Examine the relative height, width and size of letters. Is it consistent?
Continuous: Is the writing continuous or does the writer lift the pen?
Forgeries may have lifts or separations in unusual places, such as within a letter

16. 2. Handwriting Analysis: 12 Characteristics
Connecting letters: Compare the strokes between upper and lower case letters. Are they connected?
Letters complete: Look at beginning and ending strokes. Are letters completely formed? Are parts missing?

17. 2. Handwriting Analysis: 12 Characteristics
Cursive and printed letters: Are there printed letters, cursive letters, or both?
Pen pressure: Differing amounts of pressure used by the writer can make lines light or dark, narrow or wide. Is pressure equal when applied to upward and downward strokes?

18. 2. Handwriting Analysis: 12 Characteristics
Slant: analyzing the writing slant- left, right, straight, or variable?
Line habits: are the writer’s letters on, above, or below the baseline?

19. 2. Handwriting Analysis: 12 Characteristics
Fancy curls or loops: Are there any fancy letters, curls, loops, circles, or other embellishments?
Letter characteristics: Are t’s crossed in the middle, towards the top, or bottom? Where is the placement of the dot (or circle, heart, etc.) above lowercase i’s?

20. 2. Handwriting Analysis Factors that can affect handwriting samples
Writing instrument (pens, pencils, crayons, etc.)
Writing surface (paper, wall, napkin, etc.)
Underlying surface (smooth or rough)
Mood of the writer (happy, depressed, angry, etc.)
Age of the writer (undeveloped or shaky handwriting)
Writing speed (slow or quick)

21. 2. Handwriting Analysis Factors that can affect handwriting samples
Position of the writer (sitting or standing)
Position of the document (flat, vertical, or horizontal surface)
Environmental exposure (temperature, humidity, etc.)
Other factors
Consumption of alcohol and/or drugs
Injuries and/or illnesses

22. 2. Handwriting Analysis 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.

24. Jack the Ripper

25. Signature Comparison

26. Writing Alignment

28. 2. Handwriting Analysis
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

29. 2. Handwriting Analysis: Collecting Samples
In gathering known writing samples for comparison, or (4.) 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

30. 2. Handwriting Analysis: Collecting Samples
When handwriting exemplars can not be obtained for comparison, a voluntary submittal from the suspect is requested.
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

31. Unit 9 Questioned Documents - Contents
Handwriting Analysis
Forgery
Typescript Comparisons
Altered Documents
Other Document Challenges
Counterfeiting