1. Technology Used in Handwriting Analysis
Biometric Signature Pads
This computerized pad “learns” to recognize how a person signs his or her name based on the speed, pressure, and rhythm of the signing.
Forgeries then are recognized by the detection of even slight differences.
Computerized Analysis of Handwriting
Computers can make objective comparisons between handwritings.
Suspect signatures can be compared with ones stored in databases.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

2. Evidence in the Courtroom
Handwriting
Evidence in the Courtroom
The expert shows how comparisons were made.
The defense attorney likely will cross-examine the handwriting expert.
Shortcomings in Analysis
A particular piece of handwriting can be different from its usual style because of factors such as fatigue.
Experts can miss details.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

3. Secret Service Started by Lincoln as one of his last acts in 1865
Developed to prevent counterfeiting
Almost 1/3 of money was counterfeit
Became a protective agency in 1900
Now under Homeland Security and the Treasury

4. Secret Service Protects POTUS, VPOTUS, FORMERS and families
Protects visiting foreign heads (FOR DIGS) of state and spouses
Can “sign off” – waive their protection
In 1997 Clinton said the term of protection should only be for 10 yrs
Changed back to for life
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

5. FISH
The Secret Service maintains a handwriting computer data base called the Forensic Information System for Handwriting (FISH) . It stores writing samples to use to compare to threat letters received by the USA.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

6. Forgery-making, adapting or falsifying of documents with the intent of deceiving someone
Forged documents can include such things as checks, employment records, legal agreements, licenses, and wills.
Fraudulence is forgery done for material gain.
Check forgery can include:
ordering another’s checks from a deposit slip.
altering a check.
intercepting another’s check, altering, and cashing it.
creating a check from scratch.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

7. Prevention of Check Fraud
Print checks on chemically sensitive paper
Use large font requiring more ink to make alterations more difficult
Use high resolution borders on checks
Print checks with multiple color patterns
Embed fibers that glow under light sources
Use chemical wash detection systems that change color when check is altered

8. Literary Forgery
Documents such as novels, wills or diaries are forged and sold as originals
The best literary forgers aim to duplicate the original document by using materials similar to those used for the original:
old paper
chemically treated materials to fake an older look
inks mixed from substances that would have been used at the time
watermarks that add the appearance of age
tools and styles that would have been popular at the time
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

9. Forensic 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.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

10. Ink
Chromatography is a method of physically separating the components of inks
Types
HPLC—high-performance liquid chromatography
TLC—thin-layer chromatography
Paper Chromatography
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

11. Paper Chromatography of Ink
Two samples of black ink from two different manufacturers have been characterized using paper chromatography.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

12. Retention Factor (Rf)
A number that represents how far a compound travels in a particular solvent
It is determined by measuring the distance the compound traveled and dividing it by the distance the solvent traveled.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

13. International Ink Library
The U.S. Secret Service maintains an ink database that includes over 12,000 inks. Every year ink and pen manufacturers are asked to submit ink formulas to the library.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

14. Evidence
Class characteristics may include general types of pens, pencils or paper.
Individual characteristics may include unique, individual handwriting characteristics, trash marks from copiers or printers
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

15. Paper Differences Raw material Weight Density Thickness Color
Watermarks
Age
Fluorescence
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

16. Pencils
Hardness Scale—a traditional measure of the hardness of the "leads” in pencils.
Makes them write differently on paper
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.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

17. Document Alterations
Obliterations - removal of writing by physical or chemical means can be detected by:
Microscopic examination
UV or infrared (IR) light
Digital image processing
Indentations can be detected by:
Oblique lighting
Electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA)
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

18. Art Forgeries
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

19. Counterfeiting
Counterfeiting money is a crime stretching back into ancient times. Items most often forged today include:
currency
traveler’s checks
food stamps
certain bonds
postage stamps
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

20. Counterfeiting
In 1996 the government starting adding new security features to our paper money due to the advanced copying technologies that have raised the incidences of counterfeiting.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10

21. Counterfeit Currency
The Secret Service has worked with electronics and software makers to add security features to paper currency that makes forgery extremely difficult.
Scanning cannot reproduce these security features.
The first security feature is the feel of the paper.
Regular printer paper contains starch. Paper bills contain rag fiber instead of starch.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10