1. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 1 Chapter 10 Handwriting Analysis, Forgery, and Counterfeiting By the end of this chapter you will be able to: describe 12 types of handwriting characteristics that can be analyzed in a document demonstrate an example of each of the 3 types of handwriting traits identify the major goal of a forensic handwriting analysis distinguish between the terms forgery and fraudulence identify several ways that businesses prevent check forgery describe 4 features of paper currency that are used to detect counterfeit bills All Rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2009

2. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 2 Introduction Document analysts examine and compare questioned documents with known material. Experts in the field investigate such things as handwriting, computer printouts, commercial printing, paper, and ink. They may study threatening, ransom, or suicide notes. Their work can help identify a document’s author.

3. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 3

4. 4 Introduction Experts in the field investigate such things as handwriting, computer printouts, commercial printing, paper, and ink. – Questioned documents can include: checks, certificates, wills, passports, licenses, money, letters, contracts, suicide notes, receipts, lottery tickets, etc. Their work can help identify a document’s author.

5. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 5 Introduction Document Experts may investigate threatening, ransom, or suicide notes. – What do you think they are specifically looking for when they analyze the questioned document against a known sample? – Changes in: letter size, shape or appearance, line spacing, letter slant, style, etc.

6. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 6 Introduction Document Experts are NOT graphologist! – Graphologists analyze handwriting to detect personality traits (this is not a recognized part of forensic science, but is may be useful to investigations). How could a graphologist be useful to an investigation?

7. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 7 History of Forensic Handwriting Analysis In the 1930s, handwriting analysis played a role in the famous Lindbergh case. – It was used in the trial of Richard Hauptman for the kidnapping & murder of the son Charles Lindbergh.

8. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 8 History of Forensic Handwriting Analysis (cont.) In 1999, the United States Court of Appeals determined that handwriting analysis qualified as a form of expert testimony. To be admissible in court, however, scientifically accepted guidelines must be followed. Handwriting analysis has been used by Scotland Yard, the FBI, and the Secret Service.

9. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 9 Introduction to Handwriting Everyone’s handwriting shows natural variations. Here are 6 of the 12 major, specific traits.

10. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 10 Introduction to Handwriting The traits are functions of formatting or of letter or line form. Here are the other 6 of the 12 major, specific traits.

11. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 11 Introduction to Handwriting Everyone’s handwriting shows natural variations. – What are some factors that affect our handwriting and cause these variations? – Writing instrument (pen, pencil, marker, crayon) our mood, age, time restraints, audience being written too. Despite these variations, each person has a unique handwriting style. This is because as we write more and more regularly, the process becomes subconscious.

12. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 12 Example What do you notice about the two samples of handwriting to the right?

13. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 13 Introduction to Handwriting Characteristics of Handwriting – Handwriting Analysts look at three aspects of handwriting: letter form, line form, and formatting. – Letter form includes: letter shape, curve, slant, size, continuous stroke, and correct appearance. – Line form includes: smoothness of letters, and darkness of lines of different strokes – Formatting includes: spacing between letters, words, and lines, placement of words, & margins

14. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 14 Handwriting Examination Two writings are the product of one person if their similarities are unique and no unexplainable difference are found. 1. Examine the questionable document for detectable traits and record them. 2. Obtain some writing of the suspect’s (an exemplar) and compare the traits found in the questionable document with it. 3. Draw conclusions about the authorship of the questionable document based on the comparison.

15. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 15 Handwriting Examination What is the goal of handwriting examination? – To determine authorship and authentication. – To identify forgeries: documents created with the intention to deceive… Two writings are the product of one person if their similarities are unique and no unexplainable differences are found.

16. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 16 Handwriting Examination Step of handwriting analysis: 1. Examine the questionable document for detectable traits and record them. 2. Obtain some writing of the suspect’s (an exemplar) and compare the traits found in the questionable document with it. 3. Draw conclusions about the authorship of the questionable document based on the comparison.

17. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 17 Technology Used in Handwriting Analysis Biometric Signature Pads This computerized pad “learns” to recognize how a person signs his or her name based on the speed, pressure, and rhythm of the signing. Forgeries then are recognized by the detection of even slight differences. Computerized Analysis of Handwriting Computers can make objective comparisons between handwritings. Suspect signatures can be compared with ones stored in databases.

18. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 18 Forgery Forged documents can include such things as checks, employment records, legal agreements, licenses, and wills. Fraudulence is forgery done for material gain. Check forgery can include: – ordering another’s checks from a deposit slip. – altering a check. – intercepting another’s check, altering, and cashing it. – creating a check from scratch.

19. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 19 Preventing Check Forgery These are some methods used to prevent check forgery:

20. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 20 Literary Forgery Letters or other documents written by famous people can be very valuable. The best literary forgers aim to duplicate the original document by using materials similar to those used for the original: – old paper – chemically treated materials to fake an older look – inks mixed from substances that would have been used at the time – watermarks that add the appearance of age – tools and styles that would have been popular at the time

21. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 21 Counterfeiting Counterfeiting money is a crime stretching back into ancient times. Items most often forged today include: – currency – traveler’s checks – food stamps – certain bonds – postage stamps

22. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 22 Counterfeit Currency The Secret Service has worked with electronics and software makers to add security features to paper currency that makes forgery extremely difficult. Scanning cannot reproduce these security features. The first security feature is the feel of the paper. Regular printer paper contains starch. Paper bills contain rag fiber instead of starch.

23. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 23 Verifying Authentic Currency Some features found in the new series bills:

24. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 24 Handwriting Evidence in the Courtroom The expert shows how comparisons were made. The defense attorney likely will cross-examine the handwriting expert. Shortcomings in Analysis A particular piece of handwriting can be different from its usual style because of factors such as fatigue. Experts can miss details.

25. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 10 25................. Summary................. Summary Handwriting analysis compares questioned documents with exemplars to establish authorship. Aspects of a person’s handwriting style can be analyzed to accomplish that. Many new features of paper currency help prevent counterfeiting. Technological advances have enhanced chances of detecting forged documents.