1. Ch. 16 Document Examination CSI And Document Examination CSI And Document Examination

2. The Document Examiner Questioned Document – any object that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt. Document examiners.. Compare handwriting samples Compare handwriting samples Compare typescript Compare typescript Study alterations, erasures, and obliterations Study alterations, erasures, and obliterations Examine indented writings Examine indented writings Examine charred documents Examine charred documents Compare ink and paper Compare ink and paper

3. The Document Examiner Common handwriting questions addressed by document examiners: Is the signature genuine? Is the signature genuine? Is the document simulated/traced, and if so is it simulated/traced by a particular person? Is the document simulated/traced, and if so is it simulated/traced by a particular person? Is the same person the author of several documents? Is the same person the author of several documents? Which of a group of people wrote an anonymous letter? Which of a group of people wrote an anonymous letter? Did someone guide a person's hand as a will was signed? Did someone guide a person's hand as a will was signed? Did the doctor come back later and alter the medical records? Did the doctor come back later and alter the medical records? Did the signer of the document also initial the changes? Did the signer of the document also initial the changes? What is written under the crossed out portion of the writing? What is written under the crossed out portion of the writing? Was the document written on the date indicated? Was the document written on the date indicated?

4. Handwriting Comparisons Document experts continually testify to the fact that no two individuals write exactly alike. Document experts continually testify to the fact that no two individuals write exactly alike. Many factors comprise the total character of a person’s writing. Many factors comprise the total character of a person’s writing. The early stages of learning handwriting are characterized by a conscious effort to copy standard letter forms. The early stages of learning handwriting are characterized by a conscious effort to copy standard letter forms. However, as writing skills improve, nerve and motor responses associated with the act of writing become subconscious. However, as writing skills improve, nerve and motor responses associated with the act of writing become subconscious. The unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical. The unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical.

5. Handwriting Comparisons Variations are expected in angularity, slope, speed, pressure, letter and word spacing, relative dimensions of letters, connections, pen movement, writing skill, and finger dexterity. Variations are expected in angularity, slope, speed, pressure, letter and word spacing, relative dimensions of letters, connections, pen movement, writing skill, and finger dexterity. Other factors to consider include the arrangement of the writing on the paper, such as margins, spacing, crowding, insertions, and alignment. Other factors to consider include the arrangement of the writing on the paper, such as margins, spacing, crowding, insertions, and alignment. Spelling, punctuation, phraseology, and grammar can be personal and help to individualize the writer. Spelling, punctuation, phraseology, and grammar can be personal and help to individualize the writer. Furthermore, the writing style of one individual may be altered beyond recognition by the influence of drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, the writing style of one individual may be altered beyond recognition by the influence of drugs or alcohol.

6. Handwriting Comparisons No single handwriting characteristic can in itself be taken as the basis for a positive comparison. No single handwriting characteristic can in itself be taken as the basis for a positive comparison. The final conclusion must be based on a sufficient number of common characteristics between the known and questioned writing samples. The final conclusion must be based on a sufficient number of common characteristics between the known and questioned writing samples. There are no hard and fast rules for a sufficient number of personal characteristics; it is a judgment call made by the expert examiner in the context of each case. There are no hard and fast rules for a sufficient number of personal characteristics; it is a judgment call made by the expert examiner in the context of each case.

7. Handwriting Exemplars The collection of an adequate number of known writings (exemplars) is most critical for determining the outcome of a handwriting comparison. The collection of an adequate number of known writings (exemplars) is most critical for determining the outcome of a handwriting comparison. Known writings must be adequate to demonstrate Natural Variations: normal deviations found in an individual’s handwriting samples. Known writings must be adequate to demonstrate Natural Variations: normal deviations found in an individual’s handwriting samples. Known writing should contain some of the words and combination of letters present in the questioned document and be adequate in number to show the range of natural variations in a suspect’s writing. Known writing should contain some of the words and combination of letters present in the questioned document and be adequate in number to show the range of natural variations in a suspect’s writing. The writing implement and paper should also be alike. The writing implement and paper should also be alike.

8. Handwriting Exemplars Handwriting samples can be obtained by court order. Handwriting samples can be obtained by court order. Courts have ruled that this does not violate 4 th or 5 th amendment rights. Courts have ruled that this does not violate 4 th or 5 th amendment rights. To avoid deception: 1. Several pages of writing are required 2. Writing of dictation. 3. Suspects are not told how to spell words or what punctuation to use. 4. Dictation of text is carried out multiple times

9. Typescript Comparisons Document examiners examine documents produced by photocopiers, faxes, printers and typewriters. Document examiners examine documents produced by photocopiers, faxes, printers and typewriters. These devices are often identified by inconspicuous defects These devices are often identified by inconspicuous defects Common Questions 1. Can the make and model of the machine that produced a document by identified? 2. Was a questioned document produced by a suspect machine?

10. Typescript Comparison Photocopiers – defect on glass or inner cover can be unique points of comparison. Photocopiers – defect on glass or inner cover can be unique points of comparison. Fax Machines – Transmitting Terminal Identifier (TTI) is a useful point of comparison Fax Machines – Transmitting Terminal Identifier (TTI) is a useful point of comparison Computer printers-print technology and type of ink are points of comparison; defect patterns are also examined. Computer printers-print technology and type of ink are points of comparison; defect patterns are also examined. typewriters-mechanical defects are useful for comparison typewriters-mechanical defects are useful for comparison

11. Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations Erasure-the removal of writing, typewriting, or printing from a document, normally accomplished by either chemical means or an abrasive instrument Erasure-the removal of writing, typewriting, or printing from a document, normally accomplished by either chemical means or an abrasive instrument - Can be identified using microscopy, UV, or IR light. Infrared light can also be used to detect different inks used on a document that was altered. Infrared light can also be used to detect different inks used on a document that was altered.

12. Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations Obliteration – blotting out or smearing over writing or printing to make the original unreadable Obliteration – blotting out or smearing over writing or printing to make the original unreadable -Infrared light can be used to detect layers of ink. Charred documents – any document that has become darkened and brittle through exposure to fire or excessive heat. - Infrared photography can often be used to reveal the contents of the original document.

13. Indented Writings Indented writings- impressions left on paper positioned under a piece of paper that has been written on It may be possible to determine what was written by the impressions left on a paper pad. It may be possible to determine what was written by the impressions left on a paper pad. Applying an electrostatic charge to the surface of a polymer film placed in contact with a questioned document will visualize indented writings. Applying an electrostatic charge to the surface of a polymer film placed in contact with a questioned document will visualize indented writings.

14. Ink and Paper Comparisons A study of the chemical composition of the ink used on documents may verify whether or not known and questioned documents were prepared by the same pen. A study of the chemical composition of the ink used on documents may verify whether or not known and questioned documents were prepared by the same pen. United States International Ink Library- database of 8500 inks maintained by the Secret Service and IRS. United States International Ink Library- database of 8500 inks maintained by the Secret Service and IRS. Physical and chemical characteristics of paper can also be examined and compared. Physical and chemical characteristics of paper can also be examined and compared.