Chapter 7. Questioned Document Examination Chapter Objectives Types of Document Evidence Development of Handwriting Writing Process Recognition, Collection,

Chapter 7

Questioned Document ExaminationChapter Objectives• Types of Document Evidence• Development of Handwriting• Writing Process• Recognition, Collection, & Preservation of Document

Evidence• Handwriting Comparison• Nonhandwriting Document

Examinations• Reconstruction of Document

Events

I. Types of Document Evidence

• A questioned document (QD) is any means of communication that is suspect as to its authenticity or origin

• QD examinations include:– examining and comparing handwriting, typewriting, and various types

of copy machines and printers

– looking for erasures, alterations, or the sequence of writing or printing

– authenticating the author, the signer, or the contents of a document

• To authenticate means to prove that something is real, true or what it is said to be

I. Types of Document Evidence

• Check forgery or alteration is very common

• Forgery is to make an illegal copy of something in order to deceive

• An alteration is a change in the physical appearance or meaning of something

II. Development of Handwriting• An individual’s basic handwriting style is developed during

early schooling using copybooks to learn the writing process

• The process begins with printing and then with cursive writing

• As different copybooks are in use, this gives rise to class features in people’s writing

II. Development of Handwriting

• Writing styles and signatures change, particularly during the teenage years, leading to a distinctive style by the time we finish our formal education

• Age, illness, alcohol, and some drugs have the potential to influence the features of a person’s handwriting

• The natural variation in a person’s handwriting is termed normal variation

• Natural variation in a person’s handwriting is much less than the variation in handwriting between different individuals

III. Writing Process

• Three basic parts of the writing process can yield useful information:– the writing surface– the writing instrument– the transfer medium

• Paper is a common writing surface• Writing instruments include pen, pencil,

paintbrushes, crayons, or a spray can• The transfer medium may be ink, paint, chalk, toner,

or pencil lead


Paper:

• Information about the fiber content and surface treatments can be ascertained by examination of the paper

• Surface coatings (sizing) are materials placed on the surface of the paper to smooth the roughness of the interwoven fibers, providing a smooth writing surface

• Coatings are usually starch or clay and differ between paper manufacturers

III. Writing ProcessWriting Instruments:

• There are different types of ink delivery mechanisms (ballpoint, razor point, nylon tip, or fountain pen tips)

• Different writing instruments can be distinguished by the line quality and ink application characteristics


The Transfer Medium:

• Different writing instruments with the same color of ink often have different ink compositions (solvent, dyes, or pigments)

• Analyzing a small amount of ink from two different writings can determine if they have similar chemical compositions

IV. Recognition, Collection, and Preservation of Evidence

• QD examiners require originals not copies for their examination of handwriting

• Questioned documents should be carefully handled to preserve any fingerprints or trace evidence and placed inside plastic sheet protectors

IV. Recognition, Collection, and Preservation of Evidence

• Control samples and evidence samples must have sufficient writing and be in pristine condition

• The source and circumstances of collection of both evidence and control samples must be known

• A sufficient quantity and quality of control (known) writings are required to determine how much variation is natural

• The control writings must be reliably attributed to the writer and written about the same time as the questioned material

V. Handwriting Comparison:Class & Individual Characteristics

• Class characteristics originate from the early copybook writing approach, with individual characteristics developing as a person matures

• A person’s signature is usually more distinctive than the normal handwriting

• The automatic nature of writing makes it difficult to disguise one’s writing

V. Handwriting Comparison:

Important Writing Characteristics:

• Skill level - based on the level of fine motor control and is reflected in the smoothness and flow of the writing

• Pictorial & contextual elements - style, spacing, grammar, and spelling

• Mechanical characteristics - the formation and slant of letters, and the ratios of small to tall letters

V. Handwriting Comparison:Importance of Known Standards

• The more comprehensive the set of known standards that represents the appropriate time frame, the easier it is to define and judge the normal variation level

• Handwriting standards fall into two general categories: collected writings and requested samples

V. Handwriting ComparisonImportance of Known Standards

Collected:

• Collected writings are the most useful but the most difficult to obtain

• Collected samples are obtained from the subject’s life experience and history

• Each sample must be carefully authenticated

Requested (Ordered):

• Are obtained either voluntarily or through court order directly from the individual

V. Handwriting ComparisonImportance of Known Standards

• With requested (ordered) writings, the individual may try to distort or disguise the writing and it may not represent the proper time frame for comparison

• Therefore the material to be written should be dictated and repeated several times

V. Handwriting Comparison:Importance of Known Standards

Comparison of How Documents are Written:

• The appearance of the writing on the page

• How the letters are made (letter forms)

• Where pressure is applied

• Connections between letters

• Word and letter spacing

V. Handwriting Comparison

Writing Mechanics:

• Where a letter starts and ends, where pressure is heavy, and the general flow

• Letter and word spacings, letter connections, size ratio of small and large letters, and slant

Handprinting:

• Handprinting can be successfully compared and identified in many cases, if sufficient evidence printing is available and good handprinting knowns are obtained

VI. Non-handwriting Document Examinations

Typewriter and Printer Comparisons:

• Many documents still exist which were typed on a typewriter

• Typewriters or printers that are impact devices, may develop mis-alignments or damage to the typefaces, that could serve as a basis for comparison

VI. Non-handwriting Document Examinations

Copying Machines:

• In copy machines and laser printers, toner takes place of the ink

• Different manufacturers tend to use different toner formulations

• Analysis of toner composition can often determine the make and model of the copier used

• Accidental marks left on the drum are potential individualizing characteristics for comparisons

VII. Reconstruction of Document Events

Alterations and Erasures:

• Documents are often altered for economic gain

• An initial examination using a stereo-microscope may detect erasures or alterations

• Non-visible light photography may be used to distinguish two apparently identical inks


Alterations and Erasures:• An instrument called a spectral comparator uses a number of

different light sources, filters, and a video camera to make non-visible light comparisons

• Erasures cause damage to the thin sizing layer and these may be visualized by backlighting on a light box

• Erasures can also be detected using fine powders which are attracted to the damaged areas of the paper


Charred Documents:• Charred documents are those that have been partially

burned or heated until they have turned a very dark color

• Writings on charred documents can be done most easily using a spectral comparator


Indented Writing:• Indented writings are impressions on one or more sheets

below the one that had an image produced by a writing instrument

• Indented writings are visualized by: oblique lighting or use of the ESDA (Electrostatic Detection Apparatus)

• Oblique lighting produces shadows in the indented area


ESDA & Indented Writings:• A document is placed on the ESDA platen surface, covered

with a thin plastic sheet, and then electrostatically charged

• A fine powder, which is dusted over the plastic surface, is attracted to areas that were indented in the original document


Age Determinations:• “When was the document written?

• The raw materials used in the manufacture of paper have evolved over time and can therefore help in dating a document

• Watermarks can identify the company that made the paper and possibly provide information on the time frame of manufacture

• Ink analysis can help detect formulations that were available only after certain dates