1. Documentation Analysis Unit
Document examination includes physical and chemical analysis of writing materials.
For this unit, we will be making vocabulary flashcards along the way. Here are your first two words:
1) Questioned Document: Any means of communication that is suspect, entirely or in part, as to authenticity or origin.
2) Forgery: To make an illegal copy of something in order to deceive.

2. Elements of the Writing Process
Three More Vocabulary Words:
3) Writing Instrument: An item used by individuals to mark handwriting motions or mechanical printing onto a surface.
4) Transfer Medium: The material that records markings on a receiving surface.
5) Writing Surface: The object or material that has received handwriting or mechanical printing.

3. Brainstorm
What are some different combinations of writing surfaces, writing instruments, and transfer mediums?
Example: paper, pen, ink.

4. Analysis of Paper
Investigators can tell different papers apart by analyzing them up close.
Papers can have different colors, finishes, weights, thicknesses, fiber patterns, may appear different under an ultraviolet light, or contain a watermark.
One more vocabulary word for today:
6) Watermark: A mark that is made on some types of paper during its production that can be seen only if it is held against the light.

5. Analysis of Typewritten Documents
Investigators can analyze the different characteristics of printed words and determine if different typewriters were used.
The size, shape, style, and color of the letters can vary, as well as the spacing between them.
Investigators can determine the make and model of the typewriter used by comparing the type to a standard.
If someone forged part of a document with a different typewriter, investigators could see the difference.

6. Analysis of Pencil Marks
Investigators can also tell a lot about a pencil mark.
Pencil lead is made of graphite and clay.  The more graphite, the harder the pencil mark.  
Pencils with different hardnesses leave different kinds of marks.  They may be thicker, blacker, or more distinct.  
#4 pencils are the hardest, #1 is the softest.

7. Analysis of Pencil Marks
Investigators can also look closely at pencil marks and see which marks were made first.
When two lines cross, the second pencil mark will drag part of the first mark.
Investigators can examine the flow of graphite to determine which mark was made first using a magnifier, or lifting the marks with a putty.