Document and Handwriting Analysis“The writing on the wall may be a forgery.”Ralph Hodgson

Questioned DocumentAny object that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt.

Everyone learns to write by either the Palmer (1880) or Zaner-Bloser (1895) method

Handwriting ExperimentTake out a sheet of paper and write your signature near the topNow hold the pen/pencil in your clenched fist and sign your name by moving your wrist and arm.Bend your arm fully and hold the pencil/pen in the crease of your elbow and sign your name

How is your handwriting determined?

1. First you learn by conscious copying 2. Eventually it stops being conscious

and the brain become hardwired.3. Now handwriting becomes an

unconscious act4. Now has habitual shapes and

patterns that make it unique

ExemplarAuthentic sample used for comparison purposesMake sure exemplar is many words and phrases similar to the questioned documentExemplar must be long enough to see the range of natural variationsNO 2 WRITING SAMPLES ARE THE SAMEEVEN FROM THE SAME PERSON

How to get a proper exemplar1. Suspect should NEVER be given questioned

document2. Sit comfortably at desk3. Write with same type of paper and pen4. Dictate phrases for them to write5. Never tell them to write in upper or lowercase 6. Dictation should be given at least 3 times, if you

notice differences, make them write it more times7. If a signature is required, make the suspect 20-30

checks completely8. Never tell the suspect how to spell any words

Handwriting ComparisonThere are 12 traits to handwriting

comparisonsREMEMBER: any single characteristic can be found in another person. There must be a sufficient numbers of characteristics to make a matchDivided into 3 categories

A. Letter Form• Letter shape, curve, slant, size,

continuous stroke, and correct appearance

B. Line Form• Smoothness of letters, darkness of lines of

different strokesC. Formatting• Spacing between letters, words, and lines,

placement of words, & margins

1. Line Quality• Do letters flow or are they erratic or shaky?

2. Word and letter spacing• Are words and letters equally spaced or crowded?

3. Size consistency• Is the ration of height to width consistent?

4. Continuous• Is the writing continuous or does the writer lift the pen?

5. Connecting Letters• Are the capitals and the lower-case letters connected?

6. Letters complete• Are letters completely formed or is part of a letter

missing?

7. Cursive and Printed Letters• Are there printed letters, cursive, or both?

8. Pen Pressure• Is pressure equal when applied to upward and downward strokes?

9. Slant• Left, right, or variable?

10.Baseline Habits• Is the test on the line, above the line, or below the line?

11.Flourishes or embellishments• Are there fancy curls?

12.Diacritic Placement• Placement of crosses on t’s and dots on i’s• Are the t’s crossed? Crossed in the middle, toward the top of

bottom? Are the i’s dotted? Dotted toward the left, right, or centered?

Major CasesGilbert v. California

Upheld getting handwriting samples before appointment of counsel and lies outside the 5th Amendment

United States v. MaraRuled handwriting did not constitute unreasonable search and seizure and therefore did not violate the 4th Amendment rights

Types of ForgerySimulated forgery

Copying a genuine signatureTraced forgery

Tracing a genuine signatureBlind forgery

Made without a model of the signatureExamples

Checks, credit cards, art, contracts, Counterfeits, Identity

2 Types of Document Alteration

1. Obliterations• Removal of writing by chemical

means or smearing over writing• Can be detected by:• Microscopic examination• UV or infrared light• Digital image processing

2. Erasures• Using eraser, razor, sandpaper to

change writing• Can be detected by:• Side lighting• Microscopic examination

ChromatographyUsing a liquid (solvent) to separate out different solutes (solids).Can be used to determine which type of pen was used in questioned document

PaperA thin layer of bonded fibersMost is made of cotton, linen, wood, or a combination of these 3.Watermark

Translucent mark to identify certain paper

Typescript ComparisonLook for random debris or ink lines from copierClogged or any defects in printer ink jets are uniqueImpact (dot matrix) vs nonimpact (laser or inkjet) printersFax TTI (Transmitting Terminal Identifier) on the top of each faxed page.