Ch. 16 Ch. 16 Document ExaminationDocument Examination

CSI And Document Examination

The Document ExaminerThe Document ExaminerQuestioned Document Questioned Document – any object that – any object that

contains handwritten or typewritten contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity is markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt.in doubt.

Document examiners..Document examiners.. Compare handwriting samplesCompare handwriting samples Compare typescriptCompare typescript Study alterations, erasures, and obliterationsStudy alterations, erasures, and obliterations Examine indented writingsExamine indented writings Examine charred documentsExamine charred documents Compare ink and paperCompare ink and paper

The Document ExaminerThe Document Examiner

Common handwriting questions Common handwriting questions addressed by document examiners:addressed by document examiners:

Is the signature genuine?Is the signature genuine? Is the document simulated/traced, and if so is it Is the document simulated/traced, and if so is it

simulated/traced by a particular person?simulated/traced by a particular person? Is the same person the author of several documents?Is the same person the author of several documents? Which of a group of people wrote an anonymous letter?Which of a group of people wrote an anonymous letter? Did someone guide a person's hand as a will was signed?Did someone guide a person's hand as a will was signed? Did the doctor come back later and alter the medical records?Did the doctor come back later and alter the medical records? Did the signer of the document also initial the changes?Did the signer of the document also initial the changes? What is written under the crossed out portion of the writing?What is written under the crossed out portion of the writing? Was the document written on the date indicated?Was the document written on the date indicated?

Handwriting ComparisonsHandwriting Comparisons Document experts continually testify to the fact Document experts continually testify to the fact

that no two individuals write exactly alike.that no two individuals write exactly alike. Many factors comprise the total character of a Many factors comprise the total character of a

person’s writing.person’s writing. The early stages of learning handwriting are The early stages of learning handwriting are

characterized by a conscious effort to copy characterized by a conscious effort to copy standard letter forms.standard letter forms.

However, as writing skills improve, nerve and However, as writing skills improve, nerve and motor responses associated with the act of motor responses associated with the act of writing become subconscious. writing become subconscious.

The unconscious handwriting of two different The unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical. individuals can never be identical.

Handwriting ComparisonsHandwriting Comparisons Variations are expected in angularity, slope, speed, Variations are expected in angularity, slope, speed,

pressure, letter and word spacing, relative pressure, letter and word spacing, relative dimensions of letters, connections, pen movement, dimensions of letters, connections, pen movement, writing skill, and finger dexterity.writing skill, and finger dexterity.

Other factors to consider include the arrangement Other factors to consider include the arrangement of the writing on the paper, such as margins, of the writing on the paper, such as margins, spacing, crowding, insertions, and alignment.spacing, crowding, insertions, and alignment.

Spelling, punctuation, phraseology, and grammar Spelling, punctuation, phraseology, and grammar can be personal and help to individualize the writer.can be personal and help to individualize the writer.

Furthermore, the writing style of one individual may Furthermore, the writing style of one individual may be altered beyond recognition by the influence of be altered beyond recognition by the influence of drugs or alcohol.drugs or alcohol.

Handwriting ComparisonsHandwriting Comparisons

No single handwriting characteristic can in No single handwriting characteristic can in itself be taken as the basis for a positive itself be taken as the basis for a positive comparison.comparison.

The final conclusion must be based on a The final conclusion must be based on a sufficient number of common characteristics sufficient number of common characteristics between the known and questioned writing between the known and questioned writing samples.samples.

There are no hard and fast rules for a There are no hard and fast rules for a sufficient number of personal sufficient number of personal characteristics; it is a judgment call made characteristics; it is a judgment call made by the expert examiner in the context of by the expert examiner in the context of each case. each case.

Handwriting ExemplarsHandwriting Exemplars The collection of an adequate number of known The collection of an adequate number of known

writings (exemplars) is most critical for determining writings (exemplars) is most critical for determining the outcome of a handwriting comparison. the outcome of a handwriting comparison.

Known writings must be adequate to demonstrate Known writings must be adequate to demonstrate Natural VariationsNatural Variations: normal deviations found in an : normal deviations found in an individual’s handwriting samples.individual’s handwriting samples.

Known writing should contain some of the words Known writing should contain some of the words and combination of letters present in the and combination of letters present in the questioned document and be adequate in number questioned document and be adequate in number to show the range of natural variations in a to show the range of natural variations in a suspect’s writing.suspect’s writing.

The writing implement and paper should also be The writing implement and paper should also be alike.alike.

Handwriting ExemplarsHandwriting Exemplars

Handwriting samples can be obtained Handwriting samples can be obtained by court order.by court order.

Courts have ruled that this does not Courts have ruled that this does not violate 4violate 4thth or 5 or 5thth amendment rights. amendment rights.

To avoid deception:To avoid deception:

1.1. Several pages of writing are requiredSeveral pages of writing are required

2.2. Writing of dictation.Writing of dictation.

3.3. Suspects are not told how to spell words or what Suspects are not told how to spell words or what punctuation to use.punctuation to use.

4.4. Dictation of text is carried out multiple timesDictation of text is carried out multiple times

Typescript ComparisonsTypescript Comparisons Document examiners examine documents Document examiners examine documents

produced by photocopiers, faxes, printers produced by photocopiers, faxes, printers and typewriters.and typewriters. These devices are often identified by These devices are often identified by

inconspicuous defectsinconspicuous defects

Common QuestionsCommon Questions

1.1. Can the make and model of the machine Can the make and model of the machine that produced a document by identified?that produced a document by identified?

2.2. Was a questioned document produced by a Was a questioned document produced by a suspect machine?suspect machine?

Typescript ComparisonTypescript Comparison

Photocopiers – defect on glass or inner Photocopiers – defect on glass or inner cover can be unique points of comparison.cover can be unique points of comparison.

Fax Machines – Transmitting Terminal Fax Machines – Transmitting Terminal Identifier (TTI) is a useful point of Identifier (TTI) is a useful point of comparisoncomparison

Computer printers-print technology and Computer printers-print technology and type of ink are points of comparison; defect type of ink are points of comparison; defect patterns are also examined.patterns are also examined.

typewriters-mechanical defects are useful typewriters-mechanical defects are useful for comparisonfor comparison

Alterations, Erasures, and ObliterationsAlterations, Erasures, and Obliterations

Erasure-the removal of writing, Erasure-the removal of writing, typewriting, or printing from a document, typewriting, or printing from a document, normally accomplished by either chemical normally accomplished by either chemical means or an abrasive instrumentmeans or an abrasive instrument- Can be identified using microscopy, UV, or IR Can be identified using microscopy, UV, or IR

light.light. Infrared light can also be used to detect Infrared light can also be used to detect

different inks used on a document that different inks used on a document that was altered.was altered.

Alterations, Erasures, and ObliterationsAlterations, Erasures, and Obliterations

Obliteration – blotting out or smearing Obliteration – blotting out or smearing over writing or printing to make the over writing or printing to make the original unreadableoriginal unreadable-Infrared light can be used to detect layers of -Infrared light can be used to detect layers of

ink.ink.

Charred documents – any document that Charred documents – any document that has become darkened and brittle through has become darkened and brittle through exposure to fire or excessive heat.exposure to fire or excessive heat.- Infrared photography can often be used to - Infrared photography can often be used to

reveal the contents of the original document.reveal the contents of the original document.

Indented WritingsIndented Writings

Indented writingsIndented writings- impressions left on - impressions left on paper positioned under a piece of paper positioned under a piece of paper that has been written onpaper that has been written on

It may be possible to determine what It may be possible to determine what was written by the impressions left on was written by the impressions left on a paper pad. a paper pad.

Applying an electrostatic charge to Applying an electrostatic charge to the surface of a polymer film placed in the surface of a polymer film placed in contact with a questioned document contact with a questioned document will visualize indented writings. will visualize indented writings.

Ink and Paper ComparisonsInk and Paper Comparisons

A study of the chemical composition of the A study of the chemical composition of the ink used on documents may verify whether ink used on documents may verify whether or not known and questioned documents or not known and questioned documents were prepared by the same pen.were prepared by the same pen.

United States International Ink Library-United States International Ink Library-database of 8500 inks maintained by the database of 8500 inks maintained by the Secret Service and IRS.Secret Service and IRS.

Physical and chemical characteristics of Physical and chemical characteristics of paper can also be examined and paper can also be examined and compared.compared.