Chapter 16 Document and Voice Examination

Document Examination

DO NOW; 11/19 When you look at a document what is included?

1. Handwriting a.The form of the handwriting such as the shapes of the letters and their slant, angles, connections, and curves The line quality, the thickness of the line as a result of the type of writing instrument used the pressure exerted while writing b.The arrangement on the page, including spacing, alignment, formatting, and unique punctuation c.The content, including the spelling, phrasing, punctuation, and grammar

Addition analysis of handwriting 2. Paper used. what the paper is made of, what additives have been used, *whether watermarks are present, *whether surface treatments, –heat or resins, have been used. By analyzing the paper, scientists can often tell how old a document is. 3. Analyze the ink to help figure out what kind of pen was used to write the document.

When analyzing a document also look for? Alterations of Documentation –Overwriting –Erasures or crossing out –Indented writings Latent Fingerprints, fibers, watermarks, DNA, Ink

Handwritten documents famous cases Examples: Jonbenet Ramsey, ransom note The ransom notes in the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh, Jr., on March 1, 1932 Clifford Irving’s forgery during the 1970s of letters and an autobiography he claimed Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire, had written.

Do Now: 11/20 Analyze this document and highlight any “General” inconsistencies. Hint: Why do authors write notes?

Do Now: 11/20 Answers truthful or deceptive Hint: Why do authors write notes?

Do Now: 11/20 Answers

Using the Document Analysis Teams from this week: Identify 9 out of a possible 12 basic characteristics for comparing handwriting. –On the data sheet provide the line number and the example. (yes you may provide more then one example. –Be prepared to publically support your analysis.

Handwriting Analysis vs. Statement Analysis? Statement Analysis is the process of examining a person's words to determine exactly what the person is saying. This includes determining: –if the person is being truthful or deceptive, –discovering additional information within the statement –seeing if the person is withholding any information. Statement Analysis is based on three things: 1. Definitions 2. Grammar 3. Research

If these characters matched why wouldn’t Karr be behind bars?

Character revelations from the handwriting:  Great attention to detail: close i-dots Low self-esteem: low t-bar crossing Emotionally distant: all printing and vertical slant In pain: Compressed words In a hurry: printing and frequent pen lifts Sexual frustration: incomplete lower loops Domineering/ excessive need for control: downward t-bars Provided by:

Character revelations from the handwriting: Using three to four sentences tell me about your favorite:_____

m/news/ /detail.html m/language/ m/ramseynote/ Jonbenet Ramsey, ransom note

Check Forgery Compare your exemplars to the questioned document/check. Use the natural variations to: –Make a list of top three suspects –Identify which individual is the Forger.

Seven Steps to minimize “conscious” writing effort. 1.Writer should be allowed to write sitting comfortably at a desk or a table w/o distractions 2.The suspect should not under any conditions be shown the questioned document or be provided with instructions on how to spell certain words or what punctuation to use.

Seven Steps to minimize “conscious” writing effort. 3.The suspect should be furnished a pen and paper similar to those used in the questioned document. 4.Dictated test should be the same as the content of the questioned document. Same words Phrases Letter combinations NO indication of casing 1 page minimum

Seven Steps to minimize “conscious” writing effort. 5.Dictation of the text should take place at least three times. (for Disguised writing) Noticeable variations will show up in the three. If So!! Investigators MUST insist upon continued repetitive dictation of text

Seven Steps to minimize “conscious” writing effort. 6.Signature exemplars can be obtained when the suspect is required to combine other writings with a signature. –Instead of compiling a set of signatures the writer might be asked to fill out completely separate checks or receipts, each with a signature.

Seven Steps to minimize “conscious” writing effort. 7. Before requested exemplars are taken from the subject, a document examiner should be consulted and shown the QUESTIONED SPECIMENS

D-END