Questioned Documents

Questioned Documents A questioned document is one in which a document in its entirety, or in part, is subject to question as to authenticity and/or origin OR any signature, handwriting, typewriting, OR other marks whose source or authenticity is in dispute or is doubtful.

What’s a forgery? A person creates a document or alters an existing document in an attempt to deceive people

Most Common Questioned Documents Letters Checks Drivers Licenses Contracts Wills Voter registration Passports Petitions Threatening letters Suicide notes Lottery tickets

Can you describe an individual's personality from examining handwriting? No, forensic document examination does not develop information about personality. There is a separate field of study called "Graphology" which deals with personality and handwriting.

Graphologist VS QD Examiner Graphologist: Profiles character or personality by drawing conclusions from certain types of characteristics in the handwriting sample. They do not compare handwriting to determine authenticity or origin. Remember, most of graphology lacks scientific proof.

Graphology Examples

Questioned Documents What pen wrote this? What type of paper is it written on? Has it been altered?

Forensic Document Examiner Comparisons Are Useful Because: • No two people have identical handwriting • By adulthood, it is exclusive to an individual • Even disguised handwriting will exhibit some of the person’s individual characteristics

Questioned Documents Ink Analysis • Reveal a document was written with a specific writing instrument • Reveal alterations: words added/removed from a document

Inks can be separated into parts unique to each manufacturer by thin layer chromatography All commercial inks have been catalogued in a database by the US Treasury Dept. Many ink manufacturers “tag” their inks annually to aid investigations. Ink

Questioned Documents > Ink Analysis Ink Analysis (matching pens, etc.) • An ink will have specific chemical components. • The same ink can be used in many pens. (even different brands)

Questioned Documents > Ink Analysis Ink Analysis (matching pens, etc.) • Look at under alternative light (different wavelengths) • UV and Infrared light • Glow, Transparent, Nothing

Questioned Documents > Ink Analysis Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) • Place “punch” of ink in solvent • Drop on paper (stationary phase) • Put in liquid (mobile phase) • Liquid travels up paper; separates components of ink

Thin Layer Chromatography

Questioned Documents Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) Stationary Phase Paper Separated Ink Start Dot Mobile Phase Solvent

Erasures are removals of writings by chemical means, razor blades or abrasives such as sandpaper Erasures are discovered through microscopic views of the damaged paper fibers. They cannot be readily reversed. Obliterations(blotting out and smearing over) and alterations using ink different from the original, can often be discovered by alternate light sources like UV, IR, and blue-green. Alterations

Questioned Documents > Ink Analysis Ink Analysis (alterations) Alternative lighting may indicate alterations with different ink.

PAPER ANALYSIS: Class characteristics compared: • Different types of paper receive different additives during manufacturing • Paper size and thickness • Opacity, Color, Brightness (additives affect) • Watermarks

Charred Documents • Charred documents should be packaged in airtight containers that will not damage paper. • Revealing the contents of the documents often uses infrared (IR) photography and light reflected at various angles.

Indented writings are impressions left on paper under the original document that is missing. Oblique or side lighting often allows these impressions to be read. A technique from London involves stretching a thin polymer film over paper and inducing an electrostatic charge. A fine toner powder is then poured over paper and attaches to indentations. Indented Writings

Questioned Documents Machine Analysis • Typewriters/printers/ photocopiers can leave individual markings • Can be class characteristics or individual characteristics

Make and model of typewriters and printers may be determined by type, toner, and paper characteristics. Alignment, slant, and wear and tear on ribbon can individualize a particular machine. Copiers can be identified by comparing distinctive patterns formed by debris and imperfections on mechanical parts. Faxes can be identified by TTI Printers can be ID’d by ink composition. Typescript Comparisons

Handwriting …How does it work? • Handwriting originates in the brain when a mental picture of letters and words is formed. The signal to try to duplicate the mental picture is sent to the arm and hand through the muscles and nervous system. The actual output is almost never an exact match of the original mental picture.

Is handwriting specific to an individual? • Handwriting is different among individuals. • Handwriting style and basic characteristics do not change over time.

Handwriting Analysis When is handwriting style set? • Coordination and visual perception affect development. • Handwriting style usually set by late teenage years.

Collecting Exemplars • Exemplars are handwriting samples of known suspects to match document. • Similar utensils (pens, pencil), type of paper, ink, words, letters, and phrases • At least one page long. • Make writer comfortable. • Suspect should never see document. • Repetition!

Types of Exemplars: • Unrequested specimen: author had no idea it would be used for a comparison • Requested specimen: suspect is asked to produce a specimen

Line Quality (flow) Spacing (word and letter) Size (height, width of letters) Lifting Pen (words) Connecting Strokes (capital to lower) Margins Unusual Letters (cursive, print habits) Pen Pressure Slant Baseline Fancy Writing (curly, loops, unique styles) Diacritics (t’s crossed and I’s dotted) Handwriting Comparisons

Questioned Documents