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Questioned Documents Notes

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27 views2 pages

Questioned Documents Notes

Uploaded by

ppfnoll
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Forensic Science: The Basics - Questioned Documents

Definition of Questioned Document


- Any object with handwritten or printed material in doubt of source or authenticity.

Types of Questioned Documents


1. Handwritten
2. Typewritten (less common)
3. Copied (xerography)
4. Computer printed (digital)
5. Multiple surfaces (e.g., painted, mirrors, walls)

Questioned Document Examiners


- Originated in the 1800s in Europe.
- Delayed acceptance in the US due to common law rules.
- Admitted in court based on Osborn's book and 1913 US code.

Training/Certification of Examiners
- Formal coursework, literature study, apprenticeship, legal aspects, mock trials.
- Certification by American Board of Forensic Document Examiners.
- Professional organization: American Society of Questioned Document Examiners.

Handling of Cases
- Do not fold, cut, tear, mark, or write on questioned documents.
- Process fingerprints after document examination.
- Hand-deliver or use registered mail.
- Maintain an accurate chain of custody.

Individualization of Handwriting
- Learn to write by copying model letters.
- Handwriting becomes subconscious and individual.
- Palmer Fonts.

Handwriting Exemplars
- Requested writings: voluntary, dictated, same paper/instrument.
- Non-requested samples: true writing, on official documents, authentication challenges.
- Admissibility: acknowledged by subject, witnessed, normal course of business.

Handwriting Characteristics Used in Comparisons


- Line quality, spacing, size of letters, pen lifts, connecting strokes, etc.
- Unusual formations, shading, slant, baseline habits, embellishments.

Characteristics of Forgery
- Lack of individuality, slowly written, unnatural appearance.
- Identical signatures, lack of rhythm, inconsistent letters.

Disguised Writing
- Inconsistent slant, letter formations, change of capitals.
- Use of block lettering, major changes in size.
- Using the wrong hand, lack of rhythm, irregular spacing.

Other Types of QD Examinations


- Erasures, obliterations, additions, indented writings.
- Charred documents, ink exams, dating, paper, pencil lead.

Ink Dating
- Determining the age of ink through dye extraction.
- Newer methods: infrared spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry.
- Artificial aging: heating, oxidizing atmosphere, UV radiation.

Emerging Legal Status of Handwriting Comparisons


- Starzecpyzel v. NY: Handwriting comparisons viewed as a skill, not science.
- Timothy McVeigh v. US: Handwriting can exclude but not conclusively identify authors.

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