Chapter 7. Questioned Document Examination Chapter Objectives Types of Document Evidence Development...
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Transcript of Chapter 7. Questioned Document Examination Chapter Objectives Types of Document Evidence Development...
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
III. Writing Process
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
III. Writing Process
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
VII. Reconstruction of Document Events
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
VII. Reconstruction of Document Events
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
VII. Reconstruction of Document Events
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
VII. Reconstruction of Document Events
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
VII. Reconstruction of Document Events
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