1. Forensic Science Questioned Documents
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Forensic Science Questioned Documents
Documentation

2. Questioned Documents
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Involves the examination of handwriting, ink, paper, etc. to ascertain the source or authenticity
Examples include letters, checks, licenses, contracts, wills, passports, etc.
Topics
Handwriting analysis
Ink (and pens)
Paper (and pencils)
Forgery
Codes and Ciphers

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COMPARISON
Graphologist--attempts to predict character traits from handwriting examination
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.
Unfortunately, no federal licensing exists. There is certification through the ABFDE.
The lower-case "t" in Bundy's signature "indicates a very low opinion of himself, usually caused by significant damage to the ego early in life" -- according to document examiner Brown.

4. Handwriting Handwriting analysis involves two phases:
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Handwriting analysis involves two phases:
The hardware--ink, paper, pens, pencils, typewriter, printers
Visual examination

5. Handwriting Characteristics
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Handwriting Characteristics
Line Quality
Word and Letter Spacing
Letter Comparison
Pen Lifts
Pen Pressure
Lettering Slant
Unusual Letter Formation
Diacritic Placement
Baseline Habits
Body Placement

6. Handwriting Identification
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Handwriting Identification
“ACE”
Analysis of the “knowns” with a determination of the characteristics found in the known
Analysis of the questioned or unknown writing and determination of its characteristics
Comparison of the questioned writing with the known writing.
Evaluation of the evidence, including the similarities and dissimilarities between the “questioned” and “known” writing.

7. Handwriting Analysis Handwriting Sample of President George Bush
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Handwriting Analysis
Handwriting Sample of President George Bush
According to Sheila Lowe in her book, Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous, President Bush’s handwriting is “fast and highly simplified in fairly well-organized writing field”.
Is this a forensic document examiner or a graphologist??

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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

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Linguist
Experts that look at the linguistic content (the way something is written) of a questioned document.
Language that is used can help to establish the writer’s age, gender, ethnicity, level of education, professional training, and ideology.

10. Ink
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Chromatography--physically separate mixtures of gases, liquids or dissolved.
Types
Gas Chromatography
HPLC--high-performance liquid chromatography
TLC--thin-layer chromatography
Paper Chromatography

11. Paper Chromatography with Ink
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Paper Chromatography with Ink
Two samples of black ink from two different manufacturers run using paper chromatography.

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Retention Factor (Rf)
This is a number that represents how far a compound travels in a particular solvent
Rf = distance solute travels
distance of solvent front

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Scientific Equipment
Gas chromatograph--used to separate mixtures on the basis of their distribution between a stationary liquid phase and a moving gas phase.
Chromatogram-the written record of the results is called a chromatogram.
Peaks
Time tracked on x axis--this is known as retention time.
Example: amounts of “hot” compounds in a particular pepper pod.
Chromatogram-the written record of the results is called a chromatogram. A typical one will show a series of peaks, with each representing one component of the mixture. The time required to go from the injection out of the column is known as the retention. This allows identification of class characteristics.

14. Scientific Equipment con’t
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Scientific Equipment con’t
Mass spectrometer--an instrument that connects to the gas chromatograph.
The substance to be identified is exposed to a beam of high-energy electrons causing the molecules to decompose into numerous fragments.
These fragments then pass through field where they are separated according to their masses.
No two substances produce the same fragmentation pattern, thus producing individual characteristics.

15. Paper Characteristics
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Weight
Color
Water marks
Age

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Pencils
Lead
Hardness Scale--a traditional measure of the hardness of the "leads" (actually made of graphite) in pencils. The hardness scale, from softer to harder, takes the form ..., 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, ..., with the standard "number 2" pencil being of hardness 2H.

17. Forgery Credit Cards Check Fraud Art--imitation with intent to deceive
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Forgery
Credit Cards
Theft of card or number
Art--imitation with intent to deceive
Microscopic examination
Electromagnetic radiation
Chemical analysis
Check Fraud
Forgery
Counterfeit
Alterations
Paper Money
Identity
Social Security
Driver’s license

18. Codes and Ciphers
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Codes--letter combinations or symbols used to represent words or concepts
Interception from terrorists and other war enemies
Ciphers--a message in which letters or symbols replace the actual letters in the message.

19. Used as Evidence
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1. Class characteristic--the type of ink may have similar characteristics at the primary and/or secondary crime scene, on the suspect or on the victim. Handwriting may be used to include or exclude a suspect.
2. Individual characteristic--With document analysis, it is difficult to identify to an individual characteristic except with typewriter or printer specific marks.

20. CRAZY CRIMINALS
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According to Point of View, a magazine published by the Alameda county District Attorney’s office, a guy walked into an Oakland bank and handed the teller a note reading, “this is a stikkup. Hand over all yer money fast.”
Guessing from this that the guy was no rocket scientist, the teller replied, “I’ll hand over the cash as long as you sign for it. It’s a bank policy that all robbers have to sign for their money.”
The guy thought this over, then said “Uh, I guess that’s OK.” He signed his full name and address. That’s where the cops found him a few hours later.

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You are to do “Fraud and Counterfeiting as homework. It is DUE: November 13th.

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You will be given a black ink pen.
Each of you will write the same message.
Give the teacher your handwriting sample when you are finished.
Sign your name on the bottom in pencil.
Write the following:
I have your daughter. Do what you are told and no one will get hurt. Put 100,000 dollars worth of 20’s in a suitcase and place it in locker number C8160 at the bus depot. I will get back in touch with you aas to the whereabouts of your daughter.
Your loyal fan.