INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this chapter, the student will be able to:

 Enumerate the apparatus/equipment used for questioned document examination;

 Define and explain document an questioned document;

 Identify the kinds of document and standard document and its sources;

 Discuss questioned document examination;

 Determine the various kinds of examination that might be conducted by document examiners;
and

APPARATUS/EQUIPMENT FOR EXAMINATION

 Stereoscopic Microscope  Camera with Macro Lens

 Hand Lens  Infrared Image Converter

 Shadowgraph Machine  Video Spectral Comparator

 Oblique light  Electro Static Detection Apparatus

 Micrometer Caliper

 Typewriter Test Plate

 Handwriting Protractor

 Ultraviolet Lamp

 Transmitted Light

 Paper Cutter

 Photo Enlarger

 Photo Paper Dryer

WHAT IS DOCUMENT?

 Any material that contains a mark symbol or sign, either visible, partially visible or
invisible that may presently or ultimately convey a meaning or a message to someone.

 It is any written statement by which a right is established or an obligation extinguished.

(People vs. Moreno, C.A., 38 O.G. 119 

KINDS OF DOCUMENTS

Under the Philippine Law, the following are the four kinds of documents:

PUBLIC DOCUMENT

Any instrument notarized by a notary public or competent public official with solemnities required by
law.

OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

Any instrument used by the government or its agents or its officers having the authority to do so. The
officers must issue the document in the performance of their duties.

PRIVATE DOCUMENT

Every deed of instrument executed by a private person without the intervention of a notary public or of
any person legally authorized, by which documents, some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced
or set forth.

COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT

Any instrument executed in accordance with the code of commerce or any Mercantile law containing
disposition of commercial rights or obligations.
Two Categories of Document

Questioned Document – Document to which an issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny. The
focal point of the examination and to which the document examiner relies as to the extent of the
problem. (also referred to as disputed document).

Contemporary document = documents which are not more than five (5) years before or after.

Standard Document – Document in which the origin is known can be proven and can legally be used as
sample to compare with other things is questioned.

Requested/Dictated (Post litel motam Standard.) – a Standard document which are executed upon
request, they are prepare at one time.

Collected/Procured Standard. – Standard specimen executed in the regular course of man’s activity or
that which are executed on the day to day writing activity.

SOURCES OF STANDARD DOCUMENT

 Personal Document
 Social, Recreational, Fraternal Document
 Governmental and Public Record
 Education Document
 Military Document
 Vocational Document
 Motor Vehicle Document
 Criminal Document
 Personal Document
 Financial Document
 Corporate Document
 Miscellaneous Document

WHAT IS QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION?

Questioned Document Examination is the act of making close and critical study of any
material that seeks to determine the history of a document by technical or scientific processes.
VARIOUS KINDS OF EXAMINATIONS THAT MIGHT BE CONDUCTED BY DOCUMENT EXAMINER

 Handwriting Examination – including hand lettering and signature;

 Imprint Examination –including those produced by manual devices (rubber stamps, deter
stamps and some cancellations stamps) Mechanical device (typewriters and check writers),
electronic printing devices (typewriters and computers).

 Reprographic Examination – including photocopies, facsimile reproductions, machine generated

writings and photographs.

 Dating Examination – including absolute determinations ( dates of introduction of products) and

relative determinations (the sequence of ink stroke with other ink strokes, printings type
writings, perforations and folds. Examination of Falsifications and Alterations – including
removals (erasures, alterations) changes, insertions and substitution.

 Examination of Invisible, Faded, Obscured Writings and Impressions of Writing - including

those of charred document.

 Examination of Falsifications and Alterations – including removals (erasures, alterations)

changes, insertions and substitution.

 Examination of Invisible, Faded, Obscured Writings and Impressions of Writing - including

those of charred document.

 Miscellaneous Examination – including envelope tampering, adhesive, laminations and typist’s

characteristics.

 Examination of Preternatural paper Characteristics – including tears, fasteners (paper clips and
staples) cuts and perforations.
Important Terminologies

1. DOCUMENT - Any material that contains a mark symbol or sign, either visible, partially
visible or invisible that may presently or ultimately convey a meaning or a message to
someone.

2. Questioned Document – Document to which an issue has been raised or which is under
scrutiny.  The focal point of the examination and to which the document examiner relies as
to the extent of the problem.  (also referred to as disputed document).

3. Standard Document – Document in which the origin is known can be proven and can
legally be used as sample to compare with other things is questioned.

4. Questioned Document Examination - is the act of making close and critical study of any
material that seeks to determine the history of a document by technical or scientific
processes.