LESSON PLAN

TITLE : Questioned Document

COURSE : Criminal Investigation Course

MODULE : 3 - (Investigative Procedures)

LESSON PLAN NUMBER : 8

TARGET AUDIENCE : Investigators and personnel assigned in

Investigation Offices/Units. Preferably
with the ranks of PO1-PO3

DATE AND VENUE : As scheduled

TIME ALLOTTED : 2 hours

LEARNING AIDS REQUIRED : Overhead Projector, laptop, handouts,

white board & marker/eraser

PARTICIPANTS EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Tickler/notebook, ballpen, pencil, yellow

paper, handouts

TRAINING REFERENCES USED : PNP Crime Laboratory Manual,

Questioned Document by Albert Osborn
and other lecture notes.

INTRODUCTION:
Questioned document is a crucial part of an investigation of crime incident which
a diligent and skilled investigator needs an effort to gather as potential evidence, so that
there is a reasonable ground to implicate the suspect in the commission of crime. Thus,
evidence does not lie based on the result of accurate examination conducted by expert
examiner of questioned document which is admissible in court proceedings. Wherefore,
every investigator and law enforcer must know basic knowledge regarding the scientific
method in the accurate collection preservation and handling of evidence which covered
Questioned documents on handwriting, signature, alteration, counterfeiting, typewriting
identification, and decipherment of secret writing.

LEARNING GOAL:
This module aims to provide the participants working knowledge on how to deal
with questioned documents specimen, the technical and advance technology involved in
the examination of Questioned documents.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the course the participants will be able to:

1. Know the different definition of terms used in this subject.

2. Know how to preserve, collect and handle questioned document
specimen.
3. Know how to investigate and the procedure of acquiring question documents
as potential evidence in a certain crime.
4. Know the comparison of genuine and disputed documents.
SESSIONS:

1. Definition of terms
DOCUMENT – any material which contains mark, symbols or signs, either visible
or invisible, that may presently or ultimately convey meaning or message to someone.
QUESTIONED DOCUMENT – any document about which some issue have been
raised or under scrutiny with respect to its genuineness and its origin.

2. Care, preservation and handling of questioned documents

The improper or careless handling of a disputed document can lead to serious
curtailment of certain technical examinations. Most frequently this condition is brought
about by ignorance of the consequences of miss-handling just the simple act of
removing & replacing a letter in its envelop repeatedly can cause noticeable deteriorate.
The care handling and preservation of documents can be discussed
adequately by setting forth certain positive rules of action in the form of “DO‘s “and
listening several admonitions in the form of DONT‘s.

DO’s
a. Keep documents unfolded in protective envelope.
Protective Envelopes
The most useful and effective protective covering of a disputed documents
is a transparent plastic envelop. This kind of envelop can easily purchased
commercially or can easily be made from sheets of clear plastic to a size sufficient to
accommodate any flat and unfold paper.
As an alternative, a thick brown envelop or folder can be used. Again, the
document should be laid flat, unfolded as to prevent wear along folds. If a
nontransparent envelope is used, it should be carefully labeled both for convenience
and to eliminate unnecessary handling. This kind of envelope makes a poor permanent
substitute for a transparent one because the document is not easily examined but
protection by any sort of envelope preserve the document and reduces the chance of
damage.
b. Take disputed papers to the documents examiners laboratory at the first
opportunity.
c. If storage is necessary, keep the document in a dry place away from
excessive heat and strong light.
d. Proper Storage
Once a document is disputed it is seldom stored or filed for long, but
important documents should be kept properly even a long period of time. Some of this
may be challenged long after they were stored the documents will be deteriorated
seriously by moist or humid atmosphere, excessive heat, & strong light accelerate the
normal effects of aging , bringing about changes in a relatively short time. Prevent these
condition it is entirely possible that even though there is no apparent effect from
exposure to moisture, heat, or light, documents had undergone microscopic changes.
DON’Ts
a. Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry them in a pocket for a
long time.
Avoid Excessive Handling
 Repeated handlings of a document can actually wear-it out. In this way a
paper becomes dirty, frayed, and stained. Folds & deepened & finally broken by
repeated opening & folding.
b. Do not mark disputed documents (either by consciously writing or by pointing
at them with writing instrument or dividers).
Do not Mark
Interfering marks may result either from someone’s deliberately writing in
the paper or from those unconscious strokes and smudges placed there by someone’s
pointing at the document with a pen, pencil, pair of dividers, or eraser. Both must be
avoided.
c. Do not mutilate or damage by repeated refolding, creasing, cutting, tearing or
punching for filling purposes.
d. Do not allow anyone except qualified specialist to make chemical, do not treat
or dust for latent fingerprints before consulting a document examiner.
Do not allow “Amateur Testing”.
Charred documents, extremely fragile in nature, must be handled carefully
when transporting it to the laboratory for examination.
When this kind of document is discovered, it must be gained by discussing
all aspects with a qualified document examiner before any attempt is made to move the
materials.
When possible, the charred documents should be moved in the container
in which they all found. If the fragments are not packed tightly, lightweight absorbent
cotton may be used as padding. Jarring of the box must be kept to minimum if cannot
be entirely eliminated.

3. Two kinds of standard documents

a. Procured or Collected – Those which are obtain from Files of document
executed in the persons day to day business, official, social or
personal activities.

b. Requested – Those which are given or made upon the request of an

investigator for purpose of making comparative examination with the request writing.
Basic Points that should be considered in obtaining standard documents:
a. Collected Standards
1) Amount of writing standards
There is no hard as to fixed number of standards which may be
considered sufficient adequate , although experience shows that at least eight (8)
standards usually constitute sufficient amount of standards but still, 10 is better than 8,
15 is better than 10. In short the more the better.
2) Similarity of the subject Matter
As a rule only like this things are to compare meaning standards should
always congruent to the nature of the question or disputed materials.
3) Relative dates of the standards with the questioned matter
Standards for comparison should relatively cotemporary in dates. Those
documents executed two years before or after the date of the questioned document are
best. Contemporary as used in questioned document refers to documents that are
executed within five (5) years prior to the questioned document.
4) Kinds of writing instrument and paper used
 Writing instrument and paper might influence the quality of writing.
Therefore as much as possible utilized or look for standards that is prepared using the
same instrument and paper as the questioned.
b. Requested Standard
1) Dictate to the writer never allows a suspect to see the questioned
document.
2) Text must be carefully selected - do not dictate the questioned document
exactly all its content.
3) Dictation must be at least 3.
4) Writing instrument and paper should be similar.
5) Dictation must be interrupted as interval so that the suspect will feel relax
and write his own natural writing.
6) Normal writing condition should be arranged so that the writer fells to write
the dictation.
c. Typewriting Standard
1) Use of about the same size as the questions materials, type out a full word
copy of the message in question, typographical errors, using as nearly as possible the
same degree of touch as that used in typing the questioned materials.
2) Make certain that each specimen contain the make, model and serial
number of the typewriter from which it was produced as well as the date and initials of
the offices.
3) Typewriter specimen should be taken from suspect typewriter (s). It is
usually not necessary to forward the typewriter to the laboratory it complete known
exemplars are obtained.

4. Source of Standard Documents

Writing is a part of the daily like of practically everyone. Consequently, the
potential sources of writing standards are numerous, and those who frequently
investigate handwriting cases soon develop a comprehensive list of sources of
standards.
Among the possible sources of signature standards are:
Cancelled checks, Traveler’s check, Signature cards for savings, Checking
and charge accounts, Registered letters, Leases, Mortgages, Agreements, Bills of sale,
Contracts, Deeds of Sale, Stock certificates, Partnership and incorporation forms on file
with government agencies, Court records, Affidavits, Powers of attorney, Passports,
Marriage license affidavits, Driver’s license, . Electricity, Water, Telephone, Loan
applications, Employment application and records of pawnshops, Voters’ registration,
Pay receipts and personal forms, Social Security System, Military records, University
class cards or records, Police clearance record, NBI clearance record, Barangay
clearance record, Issued residence certificate record.
a. Proof of Authenticity
According to Revised Rules on Evidence (Rules of Court) Rule 132
Presentation of Evidence authentication and Proof of Documents.
Sec. 20 Proof of Private Documents – Before any private document offered
as authentic is received its due execution and authenticity must be proved either:
1) By anyone who saw the document executed or written;
2) By evidence of the genuineness of the signature or handwriting of the
maker.

5. Searching for Evidential Documents, Dictated and Collected

 Searching for evidential documents primarily is the investigators responsibility.
To accomplish the difficult task of determining who wrote or signed a certain document,
the examiner – like crime laboratory examiners who compares the crime evidence to
know samples. Generally it is the investigators responsibility to obtain the required
standards.
a. Dictated standard

“As a rule” before obtaining standards, the scientific investigator should try to
secretly obtain a sample of the suspect’s handwriting. One way is to ask suspect if he is
willing to write out his alibi, or, ask him to write his personal history, such as a place of
birth, schooling, military service, employment, family. Another one is that “The scientific
investigator should not believe that he has standard unless he has obtained at least ten
pages of writing and at least one page should consist of the person’s opposite
handwriting. Moreover, obtaining dictated standards have been discussed on the
previous sections if this chapter.
b. Collected standard
Collected standard are is imply what the name implies. The investigator goes
and collects documents, containing the suspects writing. Rules governing collected
standards have been discussed in this same chapter.
When searching the possessions of a person unsuspected of being involved
in a document examination cases, gather all items which might be helpful to the
examiner such as the suspect’s paper, blotter, ink, staples, and stapler. For example,
possibly it can be determined that the make and style of the questioned document
paper are exactly the same as the paper found in the suspect’s custody. Also if the
suspect’s custody. Also if the suspect paper was underneath the questioned document
when it was written, indented writing may be discovered. If the document when it was
written, indented writing might be discovered. If the questioned document was torn from
a tablet or pad, sometimes the edge of the document can be matched with the jagged
edges left behind in the binding. The same matching can sometimes be done with
check and stamps especially when they have not been completely torn along their
perforated edges. The investigators should not overlook the change of finding on a
blotter absorbed working that matches the wording found in the questioned document.
Whenever the investigator believes that any of these possibilities exist he should collect,
mark and handle the item as he would any other evidence it to the forgery by heating
the underside of the wax slightly or by attaching the seal with a small amount of fresh
wax. Transferring has been known to crack the seal, a defect the forger may attempt to
remedy the skillful patching with additional wax. These manipulations accomplished with
the addition of fresh wax often result in a seal composed of two different waxes, which
may be disclosed by examination under ultraviolet light and the microscope.
Stamps of all varieties, including both postal and revenue may find their way
into a document investigation.
They serve primarily as a ready means of dating documents although, in rare
instances, matching of the perforations with stamps found at a particular source and
establish the origin of the document. For the postal authorities, re-use of previously
cancelled stamp forms special document problem. The investigation of an adhesive
stamp is an extended study in itself, and while most of the problems of the philatelist do
not bear upon questioned document problems, consideration of these items in relation
to specified documents may be an order.

6. Hand writing analysis

WRITING – is a result of complicated series of act being as a whole a
combination of a certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by longer
continued painstaking habit.
HANDWRITING -It is the visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost
subconscious expression of certain ideas associated with script form.
 a. Kinds of handwritings:
Cursive – letters are connected.
Script – letters are disconnected.
Block – letters are all capitalized
b. Individual Characteristics

Are those introduced into the handwriting consciously or unconsciously by the

writer. There are highly personal or peculiar and are unlikely to occur in other instances.
These characteristics are acquired either by:
1) Hook to the right or hook to the left
2) The shape, position, size, and angle
3) The idiosyncrasies
4) The bulb and distinctive initial and final pressure
5) The embellishment, added strokes, and free movement endings.
c. Classes of writings
1) System of Writing
The combination of the basis design of letter 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.
2) Natural Writing
Any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt to control
or alter its identifying habits and its usual quality of execution is natural writing.
3) Disguised writing
Writers deliberately try to alter his usual writing habits in hopes of hiding
his identity. The result, regardless of their effectiveness is termed disguised writing.
4) Cursive writing
Writing in which the letters are for the most part joined together is cursive.

7. Steps in the development of handwriting

The following are the different steps in the development of the person’s
handwriting:
Step No. 1 – When a person first begins to learn the art of handwriting,
penmanship copy – book – form or blackboard illustration of the different letters are
placed before him. His first step is one of imitation only a process of drawing,
painstaking, laborious, slow; copying of the letter forms, the form of each letter occupies
the focus of his attention.
Step No. 2 – As the person progresses, the matter of form recedes and the focus
of attention sis centered on the execution of various letters that is they are actually
written instead of drawn.
Step No. 3 – The manual operation in the execution of letters after more progress
is likewise soon regulated to the subjective rind and the process of writing become more
or less automatic. As the person attains maturity in writing by many repetitions writing
becomes an unconscious coordinated movement that produces a record. Attention is no
longer given to the process of writing itself because the subject matter to be written now
occupies the focus of attention.
a. Physiological basis of handwriting
The impulses to form a letter begins in the brain writing center in the cortex,
this center is in the brain areas, that control vision, hearing, talking and walking and it
guides the muscle of the hand as they weave through the complex movements that
makes the words since writing begins in the mind, emotions and attitudes both of the
mind influence how we write just as they influence how we walk and talk.
 In writing, the pen or any other writing instrument functions as an extension of
the hand. The fingers transmitted to the pen the directive impulse and the variations in
muscular tension according to the nature of the writers. Nervous of organizations occur
during the act of writing. Hence, as each writer has his own way of holding his hand
manipulating the pen and exerting pressure, the same pen in different hands will
produce entirely different strokes.
The brain writing center near the motor area of the cortex is responsible to the
finer movements involved in handwriting, the importance of this center is that when it
becomes deceased as in agraphia – one loses the ability to write although he could still
grasp a writing instrument thus the ability or power to hold a pen or pencil to form
symbols and words can be said to emanate from this critical center.

8. Analysis of disputed signature

SIGNATURE – it is the name of the person written by him on a document as a
sign of acknowledgment.
a. Two (2) styles of signature:
1) Conventional type – signature with readable letters.
2) Highly individualized type – unreadable letters or have an intertwining
strokes.
FORGERY – the act of simulating or copying or tracing somebody’s signature
without the permission of the former, for profit.
- Refers to the falsification and counterfeiting of treasury or bank notes
or any instruments payable to the bearer or order.
b. Classes of Signature:
1) Formal or complete – class of signature used in acknowledging important
document such as will, checks, contract and business papers.
2) Informal or cursory – a class of signature for routinary document or made
for personal correspondence.

9. Examination of documents suspected and has been altered

a. Kinds of alterations:
1) Erasure – removal of writing, type writing from a document.
a) Mechanical erasure – the writing is effaced with a rubber eraser or
scratching out with a knife or other sharp instrument.
b) Chemical erasure – the writing is effaced by the used of liquid ink
eradicator.
2) Obliteration – the blotting out or smearing over of writing to make the
original invisible or undecipherable.
3) Addition – any matter made a part of the document after its original
preparation.
4) Subtraction – any matter rubbed out, strike out or scratched out after its
original preparation.
5) Interlineations – the term insertion or interlineations includes the addition
of writing and other material between lines or paging or the addition of whole page to a
document.
6) Superimposition – after accomplished by covering or smearing over or
overlaying the original writing.

10. Detection of genuine and counterfeit monetary, Philippine currency notes

and coins.
 Counterfeit note – an imitation of legal and genuine note intended to deceive or
to be taken for that which is original, legal and genuine.
a) Steps in recognizing genuine Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas notes:
1) Feel the paper – the genuine note is printed on a special kind of paper
which is rough when you run your fingers through it. It does not glow under the ultra-
violet light. During paper manufacture, the water mark, security fibers, security threads
and iridescent are included.
2) Watermark – the unprinted portion of the note. The water mark is
silhouette of the portrait appearing on the face of the note.
3) Security fibers – inspect the security fibers embedded visible fibers are
scattered at random on both surfaces of a genuine note and can be readily picked off by
means of any pointed instrument.
4) Embedded security thread – it is a special thread vertically implanted off
center of the note during paper manufacture. This can be easily seen when the note is
viewed against the light.
5) Windowed security thread – view the windowed security thread on the
improved version of the 100’s, 500’s, 1000’s and the new 200 notes. It is a narrow
security thread vertically located like stitches at the face of the note with clear text of the
numeral value in repeated sequence and changes in color from magenta to green or
green to magenta depending on the angle view.
6) Iridescent Band – the improved version of 100’s, 500’s and 1000’ notes
and the new 200’s notes. A wide glistening gold vertical stripe with the numeral value
printed series.
7) Portrait – appears life-like, the eyes sparkle, shading is formed by the
lines that give the portrait a characteristic facial expression which is extremely difficult to
replicate.
8) Serial Number – composed of 1 or 2 prefix letters and 6 or 7 digits. The
letters and numerals are uniform in size and thickness.
9) Background/Lacework Design – are made up of multicolored and well-
defined lines.
10) Valued Panel – numerals found at the four corners of the front and back
of the note.
11) Fluorescent printing – look for the presence of fluorescent print when the
note is exposed under the ultra-violet light. The fluorescent print is the invisible numeral
value located off center of the face of the note that glows when exposed to ultra-violet
lights.
12) Micro-printing – verify under the lens the presence of the micro-printing
on the denominations 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000.The minute Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas or Central Bank of the Philippines located at the face or back of the note that
are clearly printed and readable.
13) Concealed Value – on the 500 peso denomination, located at the lower
corner of the face of the note and is recognizable when the note is held at the eye level.
14) Vignette – lines and dashes composing the vignette are fine, distinct and
sharp, the varying color tone gives a vivid look to the picture.
15) Color – have a polychrome background with one predominant color for its
denomination.
a) 1000 peso (blue)
b) 500 peso (yellow)
c) 100 peso (mauve)
d) 50 peso (red)
e) 20 peso (orange)
Counterfeit Coin – an imitation of forge design of a genuine and legal coin
regardless of its intrinsic value or metallic composition intended to deceive of pass for
the genuine coin.
b) Steps in recognizing genuine and counterfeit coins:
 1) Genuine coins – the letterings and numerals are of high relief that it can be
felt distinctly by running the fingers on the features. The readings are deep and even.
2) Counterfeit coins – feel greasy and appear slimy. The letterings and numerals
are low and worn-out due to lack of sharpness and show sign of filing. The readings are
irregular and uneven.

SUMMARY:

After the lecture in questioned document in relation to the investigative

procedure, written examination and practical exercises will be given to the participants
by group, and after which critiques will be done as a feedback mechanism to gauge the
level of understanding by the individual.