1 Document Analysis Guided Note Packet Mrs. Toth IRP 4 Guided Note Packet Mrs. Toth IRP 4.

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Document AnalysisDocument Analysis

Guided Note PacketMrs. Toth IRP 4

Guided Note PacketMrs. Toth IRP 4

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What is document examination? (aka Questioned

Documents)

What is document examination? (aka Questioned

Documents)Definition:- the analysis of documents for authenticity

- Can refer to the original type of paper, ink, machine, or person who wrote the document

Definition:- the analysis of documents for authenticity

- Can refer to the original type of paper, ink, machine, or person who wrote the document

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Common Document Analysis QuestionsCommon Document

Analysis Questions• Signature genuine?

• Document forged and if so, by who?

• Document altered at a later date?

• Signature genuine?

• Document forged and if so, by who?

• Document altered at a later date?

• Signature look like it was “helped”?

• Machine document typed on?

• Any erasures on the document?

• Document created all at one time or prepared sequentially?

• Signature look like it was “helped”?

• Machine document typed on?

• Any erasures on the document?

• Document created all at one time or prepared sequentially?

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Services Provided By a Document Laboratory

Services Provided By a Document Laboratory• Authenticates and

compares handwriting• Detects forgery, indented writings, obliterations, and alterations

• Provides court testimony

• Ink and paper analysis• Reconstruction of charred or burned paper

• Authenticates and compares handwriting

• Detects forgery, indented writings, obliterations, and alterations

• Provides court testimony

• Ink and paper analysis• Reconstruction of charred or burned paper

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Who and What of Document AnalysisWho and What of

Document Analysis• Job Title: Document examiner• Job: (First ones were photographers!)1. Handwriting/handprinting analysis2. Typewriter comparison,3. Looks at erasures, impressions,

alterations, obliterations4. What data is within the paper (watermarks, fibers, perforated edges, tears, stamps)

• Job Title: Document examiner• Job: (First ones were photographers!)1. Handwriting/handprinting analysis2. Typewriter comparison,3. Looks at erasures, impressions,

alterations, obliterations4. What data is within the paper (watermarks, fibers, perforated edges, tears, stamps)

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Document Analysis Example

Document Analysis Example

ExampleNotice that this photo

shows a stamp perforation

match

ExampleNotice that this photo

shows a stamp perforation

match

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EducationEducation• No formal college-based education programs on D.E. in the U.S.- work as an apprentice- then advance to a professional- must pass tests and exercises- apprentice, journeyman, professional- as a professional, must be certified by the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners

http://www.asqde.org/

• No formal college-based education programs on D.E. in the U.S.- work as an apprentice- then advance to a professional- must pass tests and exercises- apprentice, journeyman, professional- as a professional, must be certified by the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners




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Review: Albert S. Osborn

Review: Albert S. Osborn

• Made document examination admissible evidence in court

• Made document examination admissible evidence in court

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Learning to WriteLearning to Write• Handwriting involves fine motor skills

• Develops based on grip of writing utensil, pressure, and dexterity of muscles

• Muscles/nerves of the shoulder, arm, hand, and fingers affect the appearance of handwriting

• Handwriting involves fine motor skills

• Develops based on grip of writing utensil, pressure, and dexterity of muscles

• Muscles/nerves of the shoulder, arm, hand, and fingers affect the appearance of handwriting

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Learning to Write cont…

Learning to Write cont…

• Most public schools teach the handwriting methods of either Palmer or the Zaner-Blosser method (imitating the letter style)

• No two people write exactly alike

• Most public schools teach the handwriting methods of either Palmer or the Zaner-Blosser method (imitating the letter style)

• No two people write exactly alike

Palmer Method

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Writing AnalysisWriting Analysis• Experts study the variations in writing samples and the authenticity of the document

• Individual characteristics in handwriting are key to identification; changes over time with emotion, physique, depression

• Experts study the variations in writing samples and the authenticity of the document

• Individual characteristics in handwriting are key to identification; changes over time with emotion, physique, depression

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Writing Analysis Cont…


• Documents whose authenticity is in doubt are called questioned documents

• A known specimen written by an identified person is called the “standard” or exemplar

• Exemplars are used to compare with questioned documents

• Documents whose authenticity is in doubt are called questioned documents

• A known specimen written by an identified person is called the “standard” or exemplar

• Exemplars are used to compare with questioned documents

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Writing Analysis cont…


• What is a document?

• Anything that contains linguistic or numerical markings that are put there by handwriting, typewriting, copying, or computer printing

• What is a document?

• Anything that contains linguistic or numerical markings that are put there by handwriting, typewriting, copying, or computer printing

Ex. A wall with writing on it could be considered a document; place cards, mirrors

Ex. A wall with writing on it could be considered a document; place cards, mirrors

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Writing Analysis Cont…• Comparing exemplars with

questioned documents can be timely and a lot of effort (uncooperative participants)

• Gilbert v. California - supreme court upheld taking of exemplars

• United States v. Mara - samples do not violate Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure

• Comparing exemplars with questioned documents can be timely and a lot of effort (uncooperative participants)

• Gilbert v. California - supreme court upheld taking of exemplars

• United States v. Mara - samples do not violate Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure

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• The exemplar # should be many so that one sees the wide range of natural variation in a suspect’s writing

• Natural variation - normal deviations found between repeated specimens of an individual’s handwriting or any printing device

• The exemplar # should be many so that one sees the wide range of natural variation in a suspect’s writing

• Natural variation - normal deviations found between repeated specimens of an individual’s handwriting or any printing device

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• Signatures can be difficult to authenticate

• Can contain characteristics not normally present in handwriting

• Signatures can be difficult to authenticate

• Can contain characteristics not normally present in handwriting

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Types of SignaturesTypes of SignaturesFormal Informal Abbreviated

or Stylistic-signature to an official document

Ex. Will

-signature used in routine correspondence

Ex. Personal letters

-signature used to sign checks, credit card receipts

Ex. Physicians signature (messy)

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How authentic?How authentic?• NEVER attach a percent of certainty of authenticity Ex. 95% sure

• Instead say “With reasonable scientific certainty”

• Why? No required minimum # of characters to reach a conclusion of authenticity; broad guidelines

• NEVER attach a percent of certainty of authenticity Ex. 95% sure

• Instead say “With reasonable scientific certainty”

• Why? No required minimum # of characters to reach a conclusion of authenticity; broad guidelines

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Four Primary Factors for Analysis

Four Primary Factors for Analysis

1. Form - refers to elements that comprise writing; slant, angles, lines, curves, connections

2. Line quality - the type of writing instrument used and the pressure exerted along with the flow and continuity of the script

3. Arrangement - spacing, alignment, formatting, and distinctive punctuation

4. Content - spelling, phrasing, punctuation, and grammar

1. Form - refers to elements that comprise writing; slant, angles, lines, curves, connections

2. Line quality - the type of writing instrument used and the pressure exerted along with the flow and continuity of the script

3. Arrangement - spacing, alignment, formatting, and distinctive punctuation

4. Content - spelling, phrasing, punctuation, and grammar

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Requested vs. Nonrequested Samples

Requested vs. Nonrequested Samples

• Samples taken from someone for purpose of comparison

• Obtained through dictation

• Ideal because examiner has control over paper, ink, and content

• Time disadvantage

• Samples taken from someone for purpose of comparison

• Obtained through dictation

• Ideal because examiner has control over paper, ink, and content

• Time disadvantage

• Samples taken as a normal part of business

• Ex. Checks, bills, diaries, deeds

• Problem: authenticity??

• Must prove suspect wrote these Ex. Witness saw suspect write document

• Samples taken as a normal part of business

• Ex. Checks, bills, diaries, deeds

• Problem: authenticity??

• Must prove suspect wrote these Ex. Witness saw suspect write document

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Obtaining Writing Samples


• Subject should not be shown questioned document

• Subject should not be told how to spell certain words or use certain punctuation

• Subject should use materials similar to those of the document

• The dictated text should match some parts of the document; long passages

• Subject should not be shown questioned document

• Subject should not be told how to spell certain words or use certain punctuation

• Subject should use materials similar to those of the document

• The dictated text should match some parts of the document; long passages

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• The dictation should be repeated at least three times; have subject produce 10-20 samples

• The subject should be asked to sign the text

• Make sure an objective witness observes the procedure

• The dictation should be repeated at least three times; have subject produce 10-20 samples

• The subject should be asked to sign the text

• Make sure an objective witness observes the procedure

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Special Techniques for Analysis


• UV/IR spectral comparator: uses electromagnetic wavelengths to differentiate inks and reveal hidden material on documents

• UV/IR spectral comparator: uses electromagnetic wavelengths to differentiate inks and reveal hidden material on documents Notice that the UV light

helps sort the two different kinds of paper

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• Stereomicroscope- uses two images that create one in the brain to see variations in style the naked eye can’t see

• Stereomicroscope- uses two images that create one in the brain to see variations in style the naked eye can’t see

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• 3D imaging of a print- computer program that shows the push and pull of the writing utensil, pressure marks, energy levels, and grasp of a writing utensil

• 3D imaging of a print- computer program that shows the push and pull of the writing utensil, pressure marks, energy levels, and grasp of a writing utensil

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• Electrostatic detection - use of metal plate on top of a document; create static charge; use a toner powder on document and toner goes into the grooves of the paper to charged areas

• Electrostatic detection - use of metal plate on top of a document; create static charge; use a toner powder on document and toner goes into the grooves of the paper to charged areas

• Infrared Luminescence - exposing ink to blue-green light so that it will absorb radiation and reradiate infrared light (detects ink over ink)

• Infrared Luminescence - exposing ink to blue-green light so that it will absorb radiation and reradiate infrared light (detects ink over ink)

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• TL Chromatography - ink analysis by separating it into its different components; ink obtained with a blunt needle that is stuck into paper and extracted

• Means “color writing”

• TL Chromatography - ink analysis by separating it into its different components; ink obtained with a blunt needle that is stuck into paper and extracted

• Means “color writing”

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Analyzing DateAnalyzing Date• Document dating can tell WHEN a document was written

• Determining age of ink is most reliable

• Watch how ink behaves; has the solvent dissolved and formed resins???

• Disadvantage: Timely!• Artificial aging can be done in an oven at 100ºC for a few minutes or hours

• Document dating can tell WHEN a document was written

• Determining age of ink is most reliable

• Watch how ink behaves; has the solvent dissolved and formed resins???

• Disadvantage: Timely!• Artificial aging can be done in an oven at 100ºC for a few minutes or hours

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Ways Documents are Altered

Ways Documents are Altered

Alterations - changing part or all of the document

1. Erasures - removal of writings from a document using chemical means or an abrasive instrument (eraser, sandpaper, razor blade, knife)

2. Obliterations - blotting out or smearing over of writing or printing to make the original unreadable

Alterations - changing part or all of the document

1. Erasures - removal of writings from a document using chemical means or an abrasive instrument (eraser, sandpaper, razor blade, knife)

2. Obliterations - blotting out or smearing over of writing or printing to make the original unreadable

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Ways Documents Are Altered cont…

Ways Documents Are Altered cont…

3. Indented writings - pressure points left on paper exerted by a writing utensil

4. Charred documents - documents not completely destroyed by fire

3. Indented writings - pressure points left on paper exerted by a writing utensil

4. Charred documents - documents not completely destroyed by fire

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Document Analysis Technique ExamplesDocument Analysis Technique Examples

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Document Analysis Technique ExamplesDocument Analysis Technique Examples

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Problems With Analysis

Problems With Analysis

• Drugs, alcohol, and other factors can alter writing habits

• Hard to analyze writing that has been purposefully disguised

• Hard to find imperfections in documents made on mass produced equipment (like computers)

• Drugs, alcohol, and other factors can alter writing habits

• Hard to analyze writing that has been purposefully disguised

• Hard to find imperfections in documents made on mass produced equipment (like computers)

1 Document Analysis Guided Note Packet Mrs. Toth IRP 4 Guided Note Packet Mrs. Toth IRP 4.

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