DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

LAOAG CITY

MODULE GUIDE

FOR 4 – QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

THIRD YEAR/2ND SEMESTER
S.Y. 2020-21

UNIT II
This unit presents the examination of questioned documents, other technical terms in questioned document, the
procedure in conducting preliminary investigation of documents, the Do’s and Don’ts in handling documents
under scrutiny, strokes characteristics of a handwriting, Standard and Exemplars, apparatus used in conducting
document examination and the like.

TOPIC I. Document and Questioned Document Examination

Learning Objectives: At the end of this topic, you are expected to;

Identify the kinds of Documents

Apply the proper procedure in conducting document examination and its Do’s and Don’ts
Understand and familiarize the different characteristics of a handwriting
Apply the scientific procedure in identifying and examination of document in questioned.
Know the proper procedure in collecting standard handwriting or signature from the subject.

Lecture
DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. Addition – Any matter made a part of the document after its original preparation may be referred to as addition.
When there is sufficient space between the words or at the end of a sentence to permit the insertion or addition of
a single letter or word or s punctuation mark, such alteration may change the impact of the entire document or its
monetary value.
B. Alteration – Refers to any change in the writing made by the party thereto, or by some person entitled there under
the instrument has been executed. Alterations made either by erasing, adding, subtracting or cancellation, or
interlineating or inserting. Such changes are made without the consent of other party interested and give the
instrument a different effect from where it originally processed.
C. Cancellation or Subtraction – It refers to any matter (word, letter, number, etc) out, strike out or scratched out
after its original preparation.
An alteration by cancellation is occasionally found in a document of importance such as will, deed or
contract where the writer intends to eliminate word, name or sentence without the necessity of rewriting the entire
matter. The writer draws lines vertical or horizontal lines through the writing having the effect of cancellation.
D. Conclusion – A scientific conclusion results from relating observed facts by logical, common- sense reasoning in
accordance with established rules or laws. The document examiner’s conclusion, in legal term is referred to as
“opinion”.
E. Document Examiner – refers to anyone who studies scientifically the details and elements of document in order
to identify their source or to discover other facts concerning them.
F. Erasure – the removal of writings, typewriting or printing, from a document is an erasure. It may be accomplished
either by mechanical or abrasive erasure or by chemical erasure.
A chemical eradication in which the writing is removed or bleached by chemical agents (e.g. liquid ink
eradicator); and an abrasive erasure is where the writing is effaced by rubbing with a rubber eraser or scratching
out with a knife or other sharp with implement.
G. Examination – Act of making a close and critical study of any material and with questioned documents; it is the
process necessary to discover the facts about them.
H. Expert Witness – A legal term used to describe a witness who by reason of his special training or experience is
permitted to express an opinion regarding the issue, or a certain aspect of the issue, which is involved in a court
action.
I. Forensic Document Examiner – It refers to a person who studies all aspects of a document to determine its
authenticity, origin, handwriting, photocopies, inks and papers.
J. Handwriting Identification Expert – A common name for the document examiner.
K. Identification (Identity) – It is the state of being identical or absolutely the same as in similar of source or authorship
of the questioned and the standard document.
L. Insertion or interlineations (Intercalation) – it is the addition of writing and other material between lines or
paragraphs or the addition of whole page to a document.
M. Non-Identification (Non-Identity) – it means that the source or authorship of the compared questioned and
standard specimens is different.
N. Obliteration – The blotting out or shearing over the writing to make the original invisible to as an addition.
O. Opinion – it refers to the Document Examiner’s conclusion. Actually in Court, he not only expresses an opinion but
demonstrates the reasons for arriving at his opinion.
P. Qualification – The professional experience, education and ability of a document examiner. Before he is permitted
to testify as an expert witness, the court must rule that he is qualified in his field.

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LAOAG CITY

RATIONALE

Generally, examination of questioned documents is restricted to Scientific Comparison which means that
determination of authenticity, genuineness, falsification or forgery lies on the availability of known standards for comparison.
In questioned document examination especially in the investigations of handwritings and signature, the Law of Multiplicity
of Evidence is often applied. However, evaluation of the similarities of the questioned and known specimens gives
emphasis on the existence of corresponding occurrence. After thorough comparison, the following principle of identification
is applied:

“ When two items contain a combination of corresponding or similar and specially oriented characteristics
of such number and significance as to preclude the possibility of their occurrence by mere coincidence and there
are no unaccounted for differences, it may be concluded that they are same in their characteristics attributed to
the same cause.”

FORMS/ASPECTS OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMIANTION

a. Handwriting Examination (Graphology/Graphoanalysis)
1. Examination of signatures and initials
2. Examination of anonymous letters
3. Hand printing examination
b. Examination of Typewriting and typeprints
c. Examination of Inks
d. Examination of Erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc
1. Detection of alteration
2. Decipherment of erased writings
3. Restoration of obliterated writings
e. Counterfeiting
1. Examination of currency bills and coins
2. Examination of fake documents
f. Miscellaneous aspects
1. Determination of age of documents
2. Identification of stamps
3. Examination of seal and other authenticating devices.

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS – It is the initial examination conducted on a document by a document

examiner to determine whether it Is genuine or not. It is not misnomer, for in reality it consists of painstaking analysis more
than looking at a document and expressing an off- hand opinion.

Importance of Preliminary examination of questioned document:

1. To ensure preparedness
2. Avoidance of delay
3. Ensures success of the case

Who is a QDE? One who has:

1. Attained the appropriate education and training;

2. Sufficient knowledge on the technical, scientific, and legal aspects of document examinations; and
3. A board experience in handling questioned document cases.

Reasons for utilizing a QDE:

1. Assurance of preparedness
2. Trial fiscal or judges are infrequently confronted with document cases; consequently, they do not
possess the knowledge of document expert’s ability of the various methods that exist for determining
forgeries.
3. Avoidance of an “OFF-HAND” opinion.

OFF-Hand opinion is usually a conclusion that is not based on thorough scientific examination.
The danger of Off-Hand opinions – It has happened in some cases that an off-hand opinion has sent an innocent
man to prison, while murderer was given a chance to escape.

TOPIC II. Instruments and Techniques in the examination of Questioned Documents

1. Microscopic Examination – Stereoscopic examination with low and high-power objectives is used to detect retouching,
patching and unnatural pen lift in signature analysis.
2. Transmitted Light Examination – Documents are subjected to this type of examination to determine the presence of
erasures.
4. Photographic Examination – This type of examination is very essential in every document examination
4. Magnifying Lens– Bank personnel and other people involved in currency examinations usually use and ordinary hand-
lens; the maximum diameter of which is four inches, and this appears big with its wide frame it has a magnifying power
of two time the original only. Magnifying lenses of five times or more magnifying power, with built-in-lighting more useful.
5. Shadowgraph – A pictorial image formed by casting a shadow, usually of the hands, upon a rightful surface or screen.
6. Measures and Test Plates (Transparent Glass) – those used for signature and typewriting.
7. Table Lamps with Adjustable Shades (Goose Neck Lamps) – used for controlled illumination; needed in sidelight
examination wherein light is placed at a low-angle in apposition oblique to plane or document.
8. Ultra Violet Lamp – this is usually used in the detection of counterfeited bills but can actually be used to detect security
features of qualified documents.

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9. Infrared Viewer – primarily used to decipher writings in a charred document.

10. Comparison Microscope – similar to the bullet comparison microscope
11. Video Spectral Comparator (VCS – it is used in the examination of masked or obliterated text, watermarks, visible
fluorescence paper, paper fluorescence and oblique illumination of indented writing and embossing.
12. Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)- the device that can detect indention/ indented writings can records
transparencies of any indentations.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

A. Purpose of Photographs in QDE:
➢ serve as record of the initial condition of a disputed document;
➢ make clear what otherwise may be hidden or indistinct;
➢ enlarge a writing in question so that every quality and characteristics of it can be clearly and properly
interpreted whether the facts so shown point to genuineness or to forgery;
➢ enable any number of accurate reproductions of document, thus affording unlimited opportunity for study,
comparison and evaluation by any number of examiners, which would not be possible by using the document
alone;
➢ allow cutting apart as may be desired and the various parts classified for comparisons;
➢ can show delicate discolorations due to chemical erasures or other fraudulent changes, which may otherwise
be overlooked, or misinterpreted.
➢ can show very clearly any erasures by abrasions made by ordinarily rubber eraser and it can record in
permanent form with the paper placed obliquely to the plane of the lens and plate and inclined at just right
angle of reflection so as to show differences in the reflected light from different portions of the paper surface;
and
➢ with transmitted light, photographs is useful in:

a. examination of watermarks
b. determining the identify, or difference in paper showing arrangement of the fibers and the markings of
the wire gauze and dandy roll
c. showing the continuity of strokes and
d. determining retouching or patching of a writing by showing clearly the presence of added ink film and the
uneven distribution of ink in interrupted strokes.

HANDLING OF DOCUMENTS AND QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

THE CARE OF DISPUTED DOCUMENTS AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE:

1. It is basic requirement, that when a document becomes disputed and deposited in court or with the attorney, in
order to maintain its original condition, it should be kept unfolded and in a separate, proper size envelope or folder.
This is true not only for the disputed documents, but for many other important documentary evidence.
2. It is also advisable that right after the document becomes disputed, or questioned, it is important to make not only
the usual photo static copy (XEROX), but also a proper photograph of photo-enlargement, done if possible by the
document expert or under the supervision of the document expert.
3. When working in the preparation of case, it is often necessary for the lawyer or court to handle repeatedly the
disputed document. Should this be necessary, instead of handling and working with the original document, the
photograph should be used.
4. Every touching, folding, refolding or pointing to certain parts of the document, can change the physical condition of
the case. For example, touching with wet hands or fingers can create smearing in the ink, pointing with a pencil can
leave marks that create a suspicion of previous pencil marks, or experiments as proof of attempted forgery.
5. Pointing a document with any other instruments, such as sharp stick, can cause slight damage which although it
cannot be seen by the naked eye, can show definite marks under the microscope o on the enlarged photographs.
6. No test should be made to alter the conditions of the document; for example, the old-fashioned ink test, which was
used to determine the age of the ink-writing.
7. Should any test be necessary, insist that it should be done in the presence of a chemist or in court or in front both
parties involved in the case.

DO’s and DON’T’s in the CARE, HANDLING and PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS

A. DO’s
✓ Take the disputed papers to Document Examiner’s Laboratory at the first opportunity.
✓ if storage is necessary, keep in dry plate away from excessive heat strong light.
✓ Maintain in consequential document, unfolded and in transparent plastic envelope or evidence preserver.

B. DON’T’s
✓ Do not underscore, make careless markings, fold, erase, impress rubber stamps, striker, write on, or otherwise alter
any handwriting.
✓ Do not smear with fingerprints powder or chemicals
✓ Do not handle carry handwriting document carelessly in wallet, notebook or brief case on grounds of interviews.
✓ Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry them in pocket for a long time.
✓ Do not marked disputed documents (either by consciously writing instrument or dividers)
✓ Do not mutilate or damage repeated refolding, creasing, cutting, tearing or punching for filing purposes.
✓ Do not allow anyone except qualified specialist to make chemical or tests; do not treat or dust for latent finger prints
before consulting a document examiner.

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TOPIC III. Handwriting Identification and Examination

MOVEMENT IN HANDWRITING
a. Finger movement – Most of the letters are formed by the action of the thumb, first and middle fingers. This is the
most inferior movement in writing. It results to poor quality and lack of rhythm and speed.
b. Hand movement –The action directly comes from the wrist with the combination of the fingers. This movement
affords more expensive more regularity of the lines and considerable speed in movement.
c. FOREARM MOVEMENT – Letters forms are made due to the action of the elbow. The forearm usually resting on
the writing surface the hand starts to write letters produced area clear-cut, fine in quality and are with regular
gradation of heavy and light pressures, especially in the formation of curves, slopes and up and down strokes.
d. WHOLE FOREARM MVOEMENT – The center of the action is the shoulder. This method is usually employed by
creative and demonstrative writer who are fond of artistic design.

QUALITY OF MOVEMENT
1. Clumsy, illiterate and halting
2. Hesitating and painful due to weakness and illness
3. Strong , heavy and forceful
4. Nervous and irregular
5. Smooth. Flowing and rapid

SPEED – Slow and drawn; deliberate; average and rapid

Different Movements employed affect writing in – Smoothness; Directions; Uniformity; Continuity of strokes and
connecting or curves between letters.

GROUP OF MUSCLES IN HANDWRITING MOVEMENT

1. FLEXOR – The muscle that push the pen to form downward strokes
2.EXTENSOR –The muscle that push up the pen to form upward strokes
3. LUBRICAL – Muscle that form the lateral movement/strokes

HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS
1. Common or Class Characteristic
- Ordinary Copy book form
- Usual systematic slant – inclination of the letters related to the baseline
- Ordinary scale of proportion or ratio
- Conventional spacing
2. Individual Characteristics – are characteristics which are highly personal and peculiar and are unlikely to
occur in other instances.

KINDS OF HANDWRITING
1. cursive
2. scripted
3. block

TWELVE POINTS OF COMPARISON

 uniformity of writings
 irregularities
 size and proportion
 alignment
 spacing
 degree of slant
 wight of strokes
 t-bars and i-dots
 needle the wedge,round, flat
 loops
 circle formation
 initial and final strokes

Indication of Genuine HW
➢ Habitual Speed of writing
➢ Firmness of strokes
➢ Degree of Skill
➢ Pattern of shading and emphasis
➢ Fundamental muscular movement
➢ Coordination, rhythm, Continuity and freedom

Indication of forgery
➢ Hesitation
➢ Unnatural pen lift
➢ Patching
➢ Tremor
➢ Uncertainty of movement
➢ Drawn quality and devoid of free normal movement

OTHER TERMINOLOGIES CONCERNING STROKES:

1. Airstroke – The movement of the pen as it is raised from the paper and continues in the same direction in the air.

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2. Covering stroke – A stroke that necessarily covers another stroke in a concealing action.
3. Final – The ending stroke on a letter when it is at the end of a word.
4. Upstroke – Movement of the pen away from the writer.
5. Sequence of Strokes – The order in which writing strokes are placed on the paper is referred to as their sequence.
6. Supported of Strokes – upstrokes partially covering the previous downstrokes. Originally taught in European
schools.
7. Trait Stroke – school on handwriting analysis that assigns personality trait manners to individual writing strokes.

QUALITIES OF THE STROKES:

1. Expansion – whether the movement is extended or limited in its range with respect to both vertical and horizontal
dimension.
2. Co-ordination – whether the flow of movement is controlled or uncertain, smooth or jerky continuous or interrupted.
3. Speed – whether the movement has been rapid or slow and whether the pace has been steady or variable.
4. Pressure – whether the pressure exerted in the movement and its upward and downward reach.
5. Direction – left ward and right ward trend of the movement and its upward and downward reach.
6. Rhythm – in the sequence of movements that weave the total pattern, certain similar phases recur at more less
regular intervals.

GENERAL CLASSES OF QUESTIONED WRITING

A. Forged or simulated writings in which the attempt is made to discard one’s own writing and assume the exact writing
personality of another person.
B. Disguised – those writings that are disguised and in which the writer seeks to hide his own personality without
adapting that of another.
With these, the purpose of handwriting examination is to determine whether handwriting is forged or
whether it is genuine or that of another.

TYPES OF HANDWRITING ACCORDING TO MUSCULAR CONTROL

1. Loose writing – this is characterized by too much freedom of movement and lack or regulation. This is noticed
especially in tall letters forms.
2. Restrained writing – there is lack of freedom and inhibited movements. It gives the impression that every stroke
was made with greatly difficult. This writing is small. There is distortion of letter forms which may lead to illegibility.

PRINCIPLE IN HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

A. When any two specimens of handwriting contain a combination of corresponding or similar and specially oriented
characteristics of such number and significance as to preclude the possibility of their occurrence by mere
coincidence, and their writing characteristics and therefore written by one and the same person.
B. Handwritings are fixed habits.
C. These writing habits like habits of speech become so automatic and unconscious that even by the most strenuous
effort. It is almost impossible to change them. It is one of the most permanent of human habits.
D. No duplication of handwriting by two individuals.

HANDPRINTING
A. The procedure and the principle involved are similar to that of cursive handwriting.
B. In block capital and manuscript writings, personal individual rests principally in design, selection, individual letter
construction, size ratios and punctuation habits. The initial step in handwriting examination is to determine
whether the questioned handwriting and standards were accomplished with:
1. A fluency of movement and a certainty of execution indicative of familiarity with and a measure or skill
in handwriting of conversely.
2. A conscious mental effort and non-rhythmic execution denoting either unfamiliarity with or disguise in
the subject’s handwriting.

EXAMPLE OF COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OR QUALITIES;

a. ordinary copybook form

b. usual systematic slant

c. ordinary scale of proportion or ratio

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d. conventional spacing

EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS:

a. hook to the right and hook to the left

b. shape, position, size and angle or i dots and t crossing

c. idiosyncrasies

d. bulbs and distinctive initials and final pen pressure

e. embellishment, added strokes and free movement

f. abbreviation of letters

g. simple and compound curves and graceful ending

h. labored movement producing ragged lines

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i. terminal shadings and forceful ending

TERMINOLOGIES CONCERNING STROKE CHARACTERISTICS

1. Arc or Arch – any arcade form in the body of the letter

2. Beard – a rudimentary curved initial stroke

3. Blunt Ending or Beginning – blunt ending and initial strokes are results of the drawing process in forgery.

4. Buckle Knot – the horizontal and looped stokes that are often used to complete such letters.

5. Central Part of the Body – the part of a letter ordinarily formed by a small circle that usually lies on the
line of writing.

6. Eye loop or Eyelet – the small loop formed by strokes and extend in divergent direction.

7. Foot of the Letter or Oval – the lower portion of any down stroke which terminates on the baseline.

8. Diacritic – an element added to complete certain letters.

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9. Hitch – the introductory backward strokes added to the beginning or ending of many capital letters or
small letters.

10. Hook or Trough – the bend, crook or curve on the inner side of the bottom loop or curve of small letter.

11. Hump – the rounded outside of the bend, crook or curve in small letters.

12. Spur – short, horizontal beginning strokes.

13. Knob – rounded appearance at the beginning or ending strokes

14. Main stroke or Shank Stem – downward strokes of any letter.

15. Whirl – the upward strokes usually on letters that have long loops.

16. Space Filler or Terminal Spur – an upward horizontal or downward final stroke usually seen in small
letters.

17. Retrace or Retracing – a stroke that goes back over another writing strokes.

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18. Retouching or Patching – a stroke that goes back to repair a defective portion of writing.

19. Staff – backspace of a letter.

20. Baseline – rules of imaginary line where the writing rest.

21. Copybook Form – design of letter, which is fundamental to a writing system.

22. Pen Emphasis – it is the periodic increase in pressure of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper
surface with increased pressure.

Terminologies Related to Handwriting Identification and Examinations

1. Alignment – the relation of parts of the whole of writing or line of individual letters in words to the baseline. It is
alignment of letters.
2. Angular Forms – Sharp, straight strokes that are made by stopping the pen and changing direction before
continuing.
3. Arcade – Forms that look like arches around on the top and open at the bottom.
4. Cacography – it is refers to a bad writing.
5. Calligraphy – it is the art of beautiful writing.
6. Characteristics – any property or mark which distinguishes and in document examination commonly called to as
the identifying details.
7. Collation – side by side comparison; collation as used in this text means the critical comparison on side by side
examination.
8. Comparison – the act of setting two or more items side by side to weigh their identifying qualities; it refers not only
a visual but also the mental act in which the element of one item are related to the counterparts of the other.
9. Disguised Writing - it is a handwriting in which the writer alters his handwriting characteristics to conceal his
identity. A writer may deliberately try to alter his usual writing habits in hopes of hiding his identity. The results,
regardless of their effectiveness are termed disguised writing.
10. Downstroke – the movement of the pen toward the writer.
11. Form – The writer’s chosen writing style. The way the writing looks, whether it is copybook, elaborated, simplified
or printed.
12. Garland – A cup-like connected form that is open at the top and rounded on the bottom.
13. Gestalt – The German word that means “complete” or “whole”. A good gestalt needs nothing added or taken away
to make it “look right”. Also a school of handwriting analysis that looks at handwriting as a whole picture.
14. Graphoanalysis - the study of handwriting based on the two fundamental strokes, the curve and the straight
strokes.
15. Graphometry - analysis by comparison and measurement.
16. Graphology – the art of determining character disposition and amplitude of a person from the study of handwriting.
It is also means the scientific study and analysis of handwriting, especially with the reference to forgeries and
questioned documents.

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17. Handlettering – Any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is written separately; also called hand
printing.
18. Left-Handed Writing – wrong hand writing.
19. Letter Space – the amount of space left between letters.
20. Line Direction - movement of the baseline. May slant up, down, or straight across the page.
21. Line Quality - the overall character of the ink lines from the beginning to the ending strokes. There are two classes;
Good Line quality and Poor line quality. The visible records in the written stroke of the basic movement and manner
of holding the writing instrument is characterized by the term ‘line quality’. It is derived from a combination of acts
including writing skill, speed rhythm, freedom of movements, shading and pen position.
22. Line Space - the amount of space left between lines.
23. Manuscript Writing - A disconnected form of script or semi-script writing. This type of writing is taught in young
children in elementary schools as the first step in learning to write.
24. Margins - the amount of space left around the writing on all four sides.
25. Model Handwriting/ Signature – it refers to the handwriting or signature which is the basis of forgery.
26. Movement - it is an important element in handwriting. It embraces all the factors which are related to the motion of
the writing instrument skill, speed freedom, hesitation, rhythm, emphasis, tremors, and the like. The manner in
which the writing instrument is move that is by finger, hand, forearm or whole arm.
27. Natural Writing - any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt to control or alter its identifying
habits and its usual quality or execution.
28. Natural Variation - these are normal or usual deviations found between repeated specimens of any individual
handwriting.
29. Pen Emphasis - the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper surfaces. When the pen-point has
flexibility, this emphasis produces shading, but with more rigid writing points heavy point emphasis can occur in
writing any evidence of shading; the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper with increase pressure.
30. Pen Hold - the place where the writer grasps the barrel of pen and the angle at which he holds it.
31. Pen Position – relationship between the pen and the paper
32. Pen Pressure – the average force with which the pen contacts the paper. Pen pressure as opposed to pen
emphasis deals with the usual of average force involved in the writing rather than the period increases.
33. Print script – A creative combination of printing and cursive writing.
34. Proportion or Ratio - the relation between the tall and the short letter is referred as to the ratio of writing.
35. Quality – A distinct or peculiar character. Also quality is used in describing handwriting to refer to any identifying
factor that is related to the writing movement itself.
36. Rhythm - the element of the writing movement which is marked by regular or periodic recurrences. It may be
classed as smooth, intermittent, or jerky its quality; the flourishing succession of motion which are recorded in a
written record. Periodicity, alternation of movement.
37. Significant Writing Habit - any characteristics of handwriting that is sufficiently uncommon and well-fixed to serve
as a fundamental point in the identification.
38. Simplification - Eliminating extra or superfluous strokes from the copybook model.
39. Size - May refer to the overall size of the writing or the proportions between zones.
40. Skill - in any set there are relative degrees or ability or skill and a specimen of handwriting usually contains evidence
of the writer’s proficiency; degree., ability, or skill of a write proficiency.
41. Slope/ Slant - the angle or inclination of the axis of the letters relative to the baseline. There are three classes;
slant to the left, slant to the right and vertical slant. There are also writings that manifest variable slants.
42. Speed of writing - the personal pace at which the writer’s pen moves across the paper.
43. Speed/Speedy Writing - not everyone writes at the same rate so that consideration of the speed of writing may be
a significant identifying element. Writing speed cannot be measured precisely from the finished handwriting but can
be interpreted in broad terms of slow, moderate or rapid.
44. System of Writing - the combination of the basic design of letters and the writing movement as taught in school
make up the writing system. Writing through use diverges from the system, but generally retains some influence of
the basic training.
45. Tension - the degree of force exerted on the pen compared to the degree of relaxation.
46. Thready form - An indefinite connective form that looks flat and wavy.
47. Variability - the degree to which the writing varies from the copybook model.
48. Variation – the act or process of changing.
49. Word Space - the amount of space left between words.
50. Writing Condition - Both the circumstances under which the writing was prepared and the factors influencing the
writer’s ability to write at the time of execution. It includes the writer’s position (sitting, standing, abed, etc.) the paper
support and backing and the writing instrument; writing ability may be modified by the condition of the writer’s health,
nervous state or degree of intoxication.
51. Writing Habit - any repeated element on one’s handwriting.
52. Wrong-Handed Writing - Any writing executed with the opposite hand that normally used; a.k.a. as “with the
awkward hand”. Ti is one means of disguise. Thus, the writing of a right-handed person which has been executed
with his left hand accounts for the common terminology for this class of disguise as “left-hand writing.
53. Writing Impulse - the result of the pen touching down on the paper and moving across the page, until it is raised
from the pen.

TOPIC IV. Standards or Exemplars

Definition:
A. Standard. They are known writings which indicate how a person writes. A writer manifests fixed habits in his writings
that identify him. This fact provides the basis for an opinion of conclusion regarding any writing identification problem.

B. Exemplars. Specimen of the writing of suspects is commonly known as exemplars. The term standards is a general
term referring to all authenticated writings of the suspects while exemplars refers more especially to a specimens of
standards writing offered in evidence or obtained or request for comparison with the questioned writing.

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DCCP-CCJE. FACULTY. LAOAG 2020-21
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

C. Sample. A selected representative portion of the whole is known as a sample. The term “sample” follows closely the
statistical usage.

Objective of Standards
This is to illustrate, fairly and completely their author’s personal habits in the creation of such handwritings as is
under question or in dispute. Accurate, complete standards which demonstrate their author’s habits in the light of the
handwriting which is in question provide the basis for reliable sound conclusion. (PNP-CLO notes). As a questioned
document examiner5, the sufficient amount and proper standards should be collected.

USEFUL SUGGESTION REGARDING HANDWRITING STANDARDS FOR COMPARISON

A. Types of Handwriting “Standards”

1. Collected Standards are known (genuine) handwriting of an individual such as signature and
endorsements on canceled checks, legal letters, commercial, official, public and private document and other
handwriting such as letters, memoranda, etc. Written in the course of daily life, both business and social.
2. Request Standards are signature or other handwritings (or hand printing) written by an individual upon
request for the purpose of comparison with other handwriting or for specimen purposes.
3. Post Litem Motam Exemplars writings produced by the suspect after evidential writings come into dispute
and solely for the purpose of establishing his contentions.

B. Type of Standards Desirable for Comparison Use in the Two Most Common Questioned Document Problems
1. Submit collected and request standards signature from both individual case.
2. When anonymous letter writings other than signature are in questioned:
a. Submit request standards writings of general nature from both victim and suspects (as much standards writing
as possible to obtain within reason).
b. Submit request standards of the questioned text written (or printed) – at least 3 writings by the suspect/s and in
some instance by the victim.

C. Suggested Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards in All Types of Questioned-Document
Problems:
1. Have subject seated in a natural position at table or desk having smooth writing surface.
2. Furnish subject with paper and writing instrument similar to those used in questioned writings, lie; paper should be
same size, and ruled or unruled; as questioned document: if questioned document is in written furnish subject with
pen and ink, etc.
3. Never permit the subject to see any writing on the questioned document.
4. Dictate material to be written (or printed, if questioned material is hand printed): give no assistance in spelling or
arrangement on page. Dictate at a rate of speed which will produce the subject natural writing habits.
5. Remove each specimen upon completion by subject number in consequence, date, time and identify by initiating
each, and request subject to sign each specimen.
6. Observe all writing done by subjects and indicate any attempt of disguise, and whether subject appears to be
normally right or left-handed, etc.

D. Special Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards Where Checks Forgery is Suspected.
1. Furnish subjects with check blanks similar to the questioned check/s.
2. Dictate the entries to be made on specimen chechs as follows:
a. Date – same as shown on questioned check
b. Payee
c. Amount
d. Signature
e. Any other handwriting shown on questioned check
3. Give subjects to help or suggestions in completing specimen checks.

E. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR QD EXAMINATION

1. SIGNATURE
 original documents
 at least seven (7) standard signatures
 contemporaneous date (5) years before and (5) years after the execution of QD
 similar writing style
2. QUESTIONED HANDWRITING
a. original documents
b. at least 4 pages of standard
handwriting
c. similar writing style and the
same dialect/language
d. contemporaneous date five years
before and 5yrs after
3. TYPEWRITING
a. original documents
b. at least four (4) pages of standard document written verbatim
c. remove the ribbon and submit it for examination if newly used
4. COUNTERFEITING
a. undisturbed original questioned bill
b. at least one standard specimen (label) in cases of unfair trade competition.

NOTE: ASSESSMENT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED VIA GOOGLE FORMS OR ANY AVAILABLE PLATFORMS.

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DCCP-CCJE. FACULTY. LAOAG 2020-21