Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Forensic 4
Forensic 4
Alteration-form of changes
Blank Paper-A sheet of paper
Characteristics- any property or mark
Collation-critical comparison
Comparison-setting two or more specimen
Conclusion-A scientific result
Cursive writing-joined together
Document examiner-studies scientifically
Decipherment-clear or out
Disguised writing- hiding his identity
Examination -close or critical study
Efface -rubbing out or erase
Exemplars-disputed document
Expert witness-legal term
Forgery -simulating or copying
Graphology-interpret the character
Guided writing- hand printing steadied
Hand lettering-known ad hand printing
Holographic document- completely written by one person holo means hand graph
means wrting
Model signature- genuine signature
Natural writing-control or alter
Restoration-brought out again
Reference collection – material complied
Safety Paper- treated / contains minutes design
Sample-portion of the whole
Significant writing habits sufficiently unique
Slant -condensed and compact
Writing-very complicated series
Writing condition-both the circumstances
Writing Habits -repeated elements
Wrong handed writing-opposite hand form
Types of characteristics
1) Class characteristics- taught to the child / common
2) Personal Characteristics- deviations/ higly personal and peculiar
Rule 1 . personal and individual to him alone
Corollary 1- gradual changes
Corollary 2- persons lifetime
Kinds of Tremors
1) Genuine Tremor – old age/ weakness or sickness
Tremor of Illiteracy- weakening of the muscle
2) Tremor fraud – wrong place or tremor
Class Characteristics
characteristics or properties which are common or which can be foufid in the specimen writing of other
person. Gross characteristics.
Individual Characteristics
characteristics which are highly personal or peeliar. That which is unlikely to occur in other's
handwriting .
Characteristics
- refers to any property, marks or elements which distinæishes. Also referred to as identifying details.
3.NaturaI Writing - a specime writing that is executed nor without any attempt of alte usual writing
habits.
4.Disguised- a specimen of executed deliberately with of changing its usual writing habits the hope of
hiding one's identity.
5) Guided /assisted - a specimen of writing executed while the writer's hand is at steadied. usually
employed by beginners in writing.
1. Cursive - Writing in which letters are for the most part joined together.
Writing Signature
*Significant Writing Habits one's writing that are sufficiently unique and well fixed to serve as a strong
basis of individuality.
Slant - refers to the relative degree of writing inclination relative to the baseline. Slope of writing.
Handwriting - is a visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost unconscious expressions of fixed
muscular habits, reacting from fixed mental impression o certain ideas associated with script form.
Writing Habits - refers to any repeated elements of once handwriting which serves as an identifying
characteristics.
Writing - is the visible result of ah very complicated series of acts, being as a whole or a combination of
certain forms which are the very visible result of mental and muscular habits acquired by long continued
painstaking effort.
System of Writing - is the comb n tidn of the basic shape and designs of letter and the writing movement
which was taught in school.
Copy book form - is an illustration of the basic designs letters that is fundamental to the writing system.
—Writing movement - refers to factors relative to the motion of the pen such as, pressure, rhythm, pen
lifting, etc.
Signature -
Classes of Signature
CHAPTER VI
SIGNATURES AND FORGERY DETECTION
Signature is a name of a person signed by him on a document as a sign of acknowledgment, Signature is
said to be one important thing that a person owns. You can be the riches among the rich or the poorest
among the poor because of your signature. Almost all documents• requires signature for its complet
authenticity. When a person signed his name, he carries one of his most common writing acts making his
signature highly complex and individual. The question of how he writes his name is dependent on a
number of combined factors. Just like for instance in a case of near-i.lliterate usually produces a
measurable, plodding pattern, lacks in skill and freedom of execution but still it is individual to him
alone. With those who have attained a higher level of writing capabilities signature also assumes
greater. skills, its strokes flows with less primitive effects: Some of the factors that contribute -to this
effect are his muscular control and coordination, his health, age, nervous temperament, the oftenest of
being engaged to writing and even his personality. While a number of these factors are blended in a
person's signature nonetheless, the writer is not particularly conscious of these factors as he executes
until such a time through practice or repeated execution of which the strokes are somehow being
formed in a semi-automatic way carrying a consistent pattern with certain degree of variation,
Some writers make use of all these three classes of signature especially those working in a business or a
company in order for 'them to have distinction
between important and not so important documents in the company and differentiate them with his
personal document. Some even makes a distinctive or somewhat hidden mark to their signature in
awareness of possible forgery of his signature.
FORGERY
Documents containing disputed signature occupies the highest level the hierarchy of questioned
document cases. It is due to this, that a specialized branch of questioned document examination was
estabiished —the Signature Verification. The identification of one's signature calls for a greater
emphasis' than in handwriting identification but the basic principles remains the same. There are certain
characteristic or features that a signature has that do not appear in the ordinary handwriting of a
person, making signature more unique, complex and truly individualized. The way signature is written is
a great factor to its recognition. Although it contains fewer letters and -even sometimesunrecognizable
letters strokes being in a form of highly individualized signature its identification is being accomplished.
This -is due to the frequent use of one's signature, its great importance, its value to the author somehow
that makes it more automatic than the usual handwriting. Here the skills, the momentum of the pen and
the forms of the letters plays a very important role.
To ordinary layman letter structure is the most common eye-catching pan but to the lenient person
who knows the art and science of signature identification he knows that the factors of movements or
execution is the most important aspects for accurate and effective identification.
Once a person signed his name in a form of a signature there is automatically that desire to produce
something based pn pre-determined pattern as to how his signature would look like. This pattern
consists of personal designs with certain touch of artistic ability and personality. Once this is done in
repetiti0n it will tum into a form that makes it distinguishable over all others.
Basically, there are two sets of elements to be considered, Those elements associated to the form or
designs of the letters that usually gives the genera: form of the signature and those properties that are
relative to the motion of the writing instrument. If the questioned and all the standard signatures show
an excellent number of similarities with none of the significant differenceS' therefore, you may say that
same person wrote them.
Natural variations play a very important role in,_ ascertaining the genuineness of a signature. Its
presence or absence, its degrees or extents are very significant in determining whether or not the
questioned and the sets of Standards belong to the same person. The concept of natural variation is in
line with the truth that no two specimen of signature are completely and absolutely identical. Therefore,
the extent in which variations •in the specimen signature varies, the condition of the writers, the
conditions under which the writing was prepared and other factors that might affect the over-all
appearance of the writing should be taken into consideration. Especially in determining differences that
arc part of variation as distinguished from that of significant differences.
The process by which signature was forged is also an important factor that is to be considered in
determining the true nature of the signature. It is always said that anything done out of imitation will
leads to a poorer quality of writing. But as what was discussed in earlier a matter of form or design is
only one of the factors to be considered -in signature identification. The way a fraudulent signature was
made is also the reason for which it is identified to be truly forged and not a genuine one. There is no
perfect process of forgery, be it done by simple, simulated or tracing for each one of these processes
leave its trade mark of being fraudulent to whatever will be its product.
There are various classes of forged signature but how they are made are generally categories into three
Major types - The simple, the simulated and the traced forgery.
There where simple instances at which this type of forgery are made. Like for instance in school, there
are students in the hope of giving faior to their friends, might sign the name of their friend in the
attendance sheet even though the said student is actually absent, the student write his friend's name
and opposite of which is a signature which is actually a mere creation of the one signing it. This type of
forgery is also called as Spurious Signature.
The Simulated Forgery
The simulated forgery is considered to be the most skilful type of forgery. Although this form appears or
made in various level of skills depending upon the forger, The reason for its being branded as the most
skillful type, lies on the fact that this process is done in not just ordinary way, it takes _real skill Of
different degrees in order for a forger to successfully imitate the signature which he intends to sign.
Through free-hand imitation a gifted forger will make a practice
over a scratch paper for twenty-thirty times before signing it to the fraudulent document. This is one of
the reasons why at the moment the forger sign it, he sign with certain continuity as distinguished from
those of amateur forger. It is also of this reason that detection of this type is relatively more difficult
especially if skillfully done.
Aside from the challenge of skills on the part of the forger, another thing
that he has to work for is to be able to understand the characteristics of the mode) signature of another
person, execute the same, while discarding his OW writing style. See it is not just a simple job. There are
even certain instances that the forger could not be able to avail himself of the model signature, but
because of his desire to accomplish it and with sufficient familiarization with the signature to be
imitated, simulation can still be undertaken, Simulated forgery is also ca as copied forgery.
The Traced Forgery
The traced forgery like a simulated forgery necessarily requires the ac f a model signature. As the name
implies, it is the result of an attempt of the bi to
Most cases of traced are easy to identify than a simulated one, This to the fact that a traced signature is
done in way foreign from writing actually not more of writing rather a drawing. one exemption to this
could e case of those who traced the signature with certain practice that they ca with a fact, 'fræ pen
movement. But still the large numbers of these cases really drawn with a slow, measurable stroke, done
with much consciousness hesitation and abrupt turns due to certain movement. some of the processes
used in making traced forgery
One of the troubles that a forger has is how to put the ink strokes on the same place where the carbon
outline was. That is why he has to be slow in doing it. Another draw could be the dirt that he carbon
outline produced.
INDENTION OR CANAL-LIKE PROCESS
This is done in similar way the carbon outline process is made, only now a carbon paper is eliminated in
the process. The genuine document is placed above the fraudulent document, the forger will follow the
outline of the genuine using a pressure, enough to make or leave an indented writing on the fraudulent
document. The depression or indented signature is thereafter ovenuritten with an ink to I finish the
forgery. Just like in carbon -outline process, the difficulty now I on the part of the forger is how to make
the ink strokes coincide with the depression or indented outline.
TRANSMITTED LIGHT OR PROJECTION PROCESS
Among the three methods being utilized by some forger, tt6 method has greater advantage on the part
of the forger. Here the fraudulent document is the one placed above the genuine document using a
transmitted light, these two documents will be placed on top the plane glass of the transmitted light
With a strong light passing through these two documents, the image/outline of the genuine signature
will be projected to the fraudulent document and later traced with ink. In this process the forger can be
fast in his execution 3 the problem of dirt by carbon or depression by indention process — eliminated.
With this process and with practice, forgery will be easier should be considered by a document examiner
or signature verifier as a challenge to their credibility in signature identification.
N.B.
Simulated and traced forgeries have something in common. Both utilize model signature and the
objective of the forger is to affect a facsimile. They only differ somehow on the manner of executing it or
having it done.
45
There are a number of drawbacks on the part of the forger using Simulation as well. as tracing and they
are: (1) Giving much attention to the conspicuous features of form and not to other details that
encompasses the execution of a genuine writing; (2) Imitation or tracing leads to disguised, and
disguised leads to a poorer result; (3) TOO much consciousness of -the process leads to hesitation; (4)
Failure to identify significant characteristics of the writing of another, (5) Difficulty in eliminating or
discarding his own writing habits; (6) It needs great muscular skills to produce the writing being
imitated; (7) Awareness of criminal act, fear of discovery and anxiety to do the work well; and (8) the
most basic and fundamental defect is not on the divergent form but in the quality of the line strokes.
Defects that a traced forgery might be evidenced by looking on one or more of the following:
1. Quality of line strokes
Identification of the questioned signature with a genuine or model signature used such as using actual
measurements with the aid of test plates, superimposition with transmitted light, or taking photographs
and producing transparencies to easily superimpose one over the other, transparent glass with uniform
ruled squares or various lines to show all parts agreeing with said
1. Forged signature where no attempt has been done to make a copy or facsimile of the genuine
signature of the person purporting to sign
3. Forged signature that closely resembles the genuine signature' since they have been produced by a
tracing process referred to as Traced For e
Forged signature that resembles the genuine signature written freehand also called as
Simulated or Copied Forqery.
Genuine signature which the writer honestly unwilling to accept a genuine.
Genuine signature obtained by trickery€
Genuine signature deliberately written illegibly or in an unusual manner to afford
signatures some plausible ground for disclaiming them should they deem it expedient.
IDENTIFICATION OF FORGERY
1 . Hesitation and pen stops at unusual places
Abrupt change in direction of strokes, showing uncertainty of movements
Concealed joining or carefully made patching or retouching
Blunt initial and/or terminal strokes
Lack of difference in pressure on up and down strokes
Misplaced shading or shading in more than one direction caused by a false start
Defective line quality
v. urxcS, ut Wavy lines (TretTlOÜS)
Unnatural pen lifting
Presence of carbon, pencil or indented outlines along the strokes
EVIDENCE OF NATURALNESS IN WRITING HALLMARKS SPONTANEOUS
WRITING
A general rhythmic writing through out
Smooth unbroken strokes in writing
Finely tapered strokes both at the beginning and ending letters
Tendency towards illegibility especially towards end of signature or other words
indicating great speed.
PRIMARY SIGNS AND FORGERY
1. Slow brokeri strokes, way lines
CHAPTER Vil
CARE, HANDLING AND PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS
The improper or careless handling of a disputed document can lead to a serious
curtailment of certain technical examinations. Most frequentiy this condition is brought
about by ignorance of the consequences of mishandling just the simple act of removing
and 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 in several
admonitions jn the form. of "DONT's".
DO 's"
I. Keep documents unfolded in protective envelope.
Protective Envelopes
The most useful and effective protective covering of a disputed document is a
transparent plastic envelop. This kind of envelope can easily be purchased commercially
or can easily be made from sheets of clear plastic to a size sufficient to accommodate any
flat unfolded paper.
As an alternative, a large, heavy manila or craft envelope or folder can be used. Again,
the document should be laid flat, unfolded as to prevent wear aiong 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 documents and reduces the chance of
damage.
Take disputed papers to the document examiner's laboratory at the first opportunity.
If storage is necessary, keep the document in a dry place away from excessive heat and
strong tight.
Proper Storaqe
Once a document is disputed, it- is seldom, stored,or filed for long, but important
documénts are often kept for years.'Some of these maybe challenged long after they were
prepared, the document may deteriorate seriously. Moist humid atmosphere, excessive
heat, and strong light accelerate the normal
Of aging, bringing about changes in a relatively short time. Under these
49
conditions, it is entirely possible that even though there is no apparent effect for exposure
to moisture, heat or light, the document had undergone microscopic changes.
DON'T's"
Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry them in a pocket for a long time.
Avoid Excessive Handlinq
Repeated handling of a document can actually wear it out. In thisway a paper becomes
dirty, frayed, and stained. Folds deemed and finally broken by repeated opening and
folding.
Do not mark disputed documents (either by consciously writing or by pointing at them
with a writing instruments or dividers)
Do Not Mark
Interfering marks may result either from someone's deliberately writing in the paper or
form those unconscious strokes and smudges placed there by someone's pointing at the
documents with a pen, pencil, pair of dividers, or eraser. Both must be avoided.
Do not mutilate or damage by repeated refolding, creasing, cutting, tearing or punching
for filing purposes.
Do not allow anyone except qualified specialist to make chemical or
do not treat or dust for latent fingerprint before consulting a document examiner.
Do Not Mow "Amateur Testing"
Charred doauments, because of their extremely fragile nature, must be handled as .little
as possible. Even transporting them to the .laboratory care.
When documents of this kind are discovered, much is to be gained by discussing all
aspects of the question with a qualified document examiner before any attempt is made to
move the materials to his laboratory.
When possible, the charred documents should be moved in the container in which they
are found. tf the fragments 'are not Packed tightly, •lightweight absorbent cotton may be
used as padding. Jarring Of the box must be kept to
minimum if not entirely eliminated
significance for demonstration and proving in court, thus quality should not be
compromise with the use of cheaper ecvipment of poor performance. P,
Hand Magnifier
There are varieties of magnifiers that are at used at present. What is needed? Practically,
what is necessary for use is one, which will serve the greatest purpose of the examination.
A magnifying lens that is just enough in its magnification (at least capable of making
four-times the size of the original), having a diameter of about two inches but not more
than or less than one inch will be reasonable to cover a wider field of view.
Other forms such as Illuminated magnifier, Binocular magnifier, adjustable lens can be
of great help to document examiner but they are rarely used especially; in the country.
Microscopes
Microscope also appear in various forms, there are compound microscope for biological
testing, microscope with a wide-flat form for documents to be laid and comparison
microscope for simultaneous viewing and matching of two specimen at one time.
One of the most useful types is that of a stereoscopic microscope for It gives document
examiner an extensive examination, showing great details Of documents and anything on
it that our naked eye alone is impossible Of being
deciphered. This microscope is of unique form for it gives an examiner three
dimensional enlargement of the specimen under consideration making it ideal for
examination of cross writings. writing across a folds, sequence of strokes and disturb
fiber partly concealed.
Stereoscopic microscopes can be purchased with built-in lighting systems,
this type is convenient for use but sometimes a separate illumination-can be found to be
of greater advantage in some cases for such can be controlled in it intensity and angle of
illumination required. In a comprehensive laboratory one Of the most powerful and
useful equipment used is that of the Forensic Comparator microscope sometimes they
called it three-in-one microscope, an instrument that can bring together two objects into
the same field of view so that they may easily be compared under the same degree of
magnification. This is extensively used in questioned document, fingerprint, Ballistics
and even for forensic chemistry purpose.
Camera and Lens
An S-L-R Camera has its indispensable used in questioned document examination for
discovering and proving in court until at present. A Photographic enlargement of
signature, handwritings and type prints including alterations in documents with the use of
some illuminations are very important to show
4. Transmitted light
One of the very uSeful instruments in document examination is the
transmitted light gadget. It gives a•ource of illumination thatwould strike 'the back or the
bottom of the paper. This apparatus is so simple,' it is essentially consisting of a plane
glass on which the document i' placed and a source of light placed beneath it. The lamp is
house in a box sealed in all side except with one with the glass or a lamp may also be
backed with a metal reflector for a more powerful source of illumination. This lighting
examination is very useful in determination of watermarking in paper, shows fiber
arrangement in paper as well as sequence of strokes.
B. ARTIFICIAL LIGHT GADGET
The X-ray or Roentgen
This gadget is rarely at used in questioned document examination
although sometimes an X-rays of very soft radiation or Genz rays can be of use for
purpose of making a transmitted light photograph to show up watermarking as well any
thinner surface of the paper like the site of erasures. But such activity can likewise be
best shown with the used of ordinary transmitted light, that is only X-ray is not
commonly at use cc practically it is more applied in medico-legai examination.
The Uttra-violet light gadget
The Uitra-vio!et !inht gadget appears in various forms,- some in a form similar to a
fluorescent lamp where the glass envelope also acts as a filter which absorbs the bulk of
the visible radiation and allowing the shorter wave lengths to pass through. This lamp is
commercially termed as the Ublack light" for at the the power is off the bulb is colored
black. This lamp is found to be very useful both for commercial and laboratory
application. One of its widest applications is in detection of counterfeit Philippine
Currency notes. Many businesses established big or small that are directly involved in
money transaction Ultra-violet lamp for security reason.
This lamp makes a discharge through mercury vapor confined in a tube of transparent
fused quarts. Heat and visible lights are generated along with the ultra-violet light, A
nickel glass independently mounted from -the discha/ge tube absorbs the visible light
Infra-red Lamp
The used of infra-red photography refers to that special type of black and white
photography whereby image are reproduced through the action of infra-red
rays on sensitized films.
The value of photography by infra-red lies on the fact that infrared radiation like visible
light often are reflected and or transmitted quite differently by common objects Some
objects subjects under infra-red rays are transparent while others are opaque. Objects
which reflects the infra-red rays are said to be transparent to infra-red rays. On the
positive print the objects appear gray or as white shades. Where the infra-red rays are not
reflected but absorbed, the objects are said to be opaque to infra-red rays. On the positive
prints the object Wii! appear as black shades.
The word infra-red meansn below or beyond the red". As the wave increases to 700
milimicrons and above the radiation merges into heat wave and finally into the radio
waves- Even though the infra-red extends far out only the region quite near the visible
light, is of interest photographically. • Infra-re& rays -in the longest wavelength
among the photographic rays arid it is also called the
heat rays.
infra-red radiation can be made by photofloo& buib with infra-red transmitting
filters like No. 25, 87, 80A or by black-Out flash bulb. Blackout flash lamp makes
photography in almost complete darkness without the usual visible light. Only a dull red
glow from the lamp, •is visible. In case, it is necessary for the photographer to know
where the subject is and the distance.
USES OF INFRA-RED:
1 . Shows gun powder
Deciphering
Restoration of writing documents;
Decipherment of Obliterated writing;
Differentiate paints or pigments which visually identical but & -different
composition;
Detection and demonstration of certain secret writings or stains ion cloth or paper;
Record subject in total darkness without being detected;
8 Addition, interlineations or insertion; and
9. In Surveillance Photography and night vision.
CHAPTER
INKS AND WRITING INSTRUMENTS
IMPORTANCE
Practical knowledge about inks, their composition, resistance to moisture, performance
and absorption effects, manufacturing dates, is a valuable asset in questioned document
examinations. Ink used is Usually examined when the date or age of document is
questioned or when some parts of a document are suspected to have been corrected,
added, altered and/or inserted by another hand with the intent to defraud.
ANCIENT INKS
Pre-Christian era inks were mostly soot or carbon blacks dissolved in water with holding
solutions to attain desired fluidity. The Chinese and Indians were expert crude ink
manufacturers using pulverized stones and saps of woods.
MODERN BLACK INKS
The modern Chemist, leamed from the ancient preparations, has the following ink
solutions in black:
i. Tanno-gaiiate from sulphate of iron with gum — the most durable ink solution for
records purposes
Lampblack with alkaline solution
Coal tar dyestuff with water
Iron tannate with aniline colorings —
The ink containing tannin and iron salts takes an everlasting nature for it resist alcohol
and stays black indefinitely.
Another kind of black ink that appears blue initially but becomes black when exposed to
moisture is the logwood ink with potassium chromate.
ANILINE INK
This is made out of coal tar dissolved in acids. This was used as early as 1870.
However, the ink is washable and) therefore) is not good for permanent records.
SEQUENCE OF WRITING
The difference in absorption effects of inks accounts for the easy determination of the
sequence of writing where the problem is to determine which of the two (2) writings with
crossed lines was written first or last.
The following factors are considered, kind and quality of ink, pen use. quality of paper
and time. Extensions of letters above or below the baseline 31 helpful especially under
magnifications. Consider the following: (1) When the first ink fine is still moist, the
crossing second line wilt not only darken the scored portion but will have its ink on the
scored portion fused through the first line appearing as expanded. (2) When the first line
is dry, the crossing line will darken the scored portion and will appear to be overlapping
or plowing the first line.
In this problem, it is a lot easier to determine ink writing versus writing. When pen and
ink are used to cross some lead lines, the ink flowing the pen will fully cover the lead.
But when a pen is used first and the pen used to cross some ink lines, the lead strokes
scoring the ink lines will ape top of the ink when the ink is dried and will appear plowing
the ink line if yet completely dried.
it is ink versus ink or ink versus lead, ten to fourteen times magnification is necessary to
expose the crossing lines.
OUTLINE OF EARLY HISTORY OF INK, WITH APPROXIMATELY DATES
page 59
CHAPTER IX
Papers
GRADE
Quality of papers used for writing purposes vary according to materials used,
manufacturer's technical' specifications and market demand on certain kinds. The best
grades of papers now used in are those having cellulose fibers, cotton, rags and the
Philippine's abaca fibers. What most people know are the brands that they have used.
Further, what a forger does not is that when he substitutes another page containing his
spurious writings in a set of genuine
documents, these can be easily detected by paper grade comparison.
THICKNESS
Paper manufacturers measure thickness of papers by means of knowing how many
pounds is the weight of one ream. Document examiners measure thickness by means of
micro- calipers with thousandth of inch readings.
CONDITIONS
Written documents of whatever kind of paper used are usually suspected because of
unaccounted alterations or erasures. Most document showing altered pcft:ons contain
genuine information, which were changed and superimposed by visible writings. When
proper examination is done, these suppressed and hidden physical facts would be
concrete proof of unauthorized alterations, and the real meaning is exposed.
Other conditions of papers that raise suspicion as to their validfty are Physical characters
like when an older presents a crumpled, discolored, soited and/ or moistened documents.
When these cannot be satisfactorily explains, the documents must be authenticated.
Bank checks that carry designs to disguise forgery, once a genuine writing is done can
still be passed by a skill check on men. Those that. are tinted would Ordinarily
discourage unauthorized erasures but again, bad check manipulators with unknown
special techniques, æn still erase the tint, and rewrite the Check after a successful
retinting.
SIZING
The surface of a writing paper is coated with animal or •vegetable gelatinous substances
that are rolled during manufacturing processes. This is
applied to improve the absorption effect of a writing liquid to avoid blotting feathering.
The paper of higher quality is made with finer sizing, Any technique erasing writing on a
sized paper can easily be detected by oblique lighting expose the disturbed portion. Also,
when a paper is folded, sizing is broken and one writes over a folded paper, the examiner
can easily determine when writing was done actually after folding of the paper.
Chemical test to determine the kind of sizing a paper has, by way of o is to apply iodine
or phloroglucin reagents. Animal sizing produces a different color from vegetable sizing.
A disputed page of document can be checked by chemical test or by ultra-violet ray that
gives fluorescence in different papers.
WATERMARKS
Paper manufacturers place water markings in their papers to denote their origin and
production. Some use the same watermarks in all their grades of paper but when any
portion of their marker is damaged, they take note. Some
cases of questioned documents resulted to the discovery of a paper used in an instrument
dated several years before the actual manufacturing, through this water marking of
manufacturers.
OUTLINE OF HISTORY OF PAPER, WITH APPROXIMATE DATES
page 63 to 64
CHAPTER X
EXAMINATION OF TYPEWRITING
Another class of questioned documents, which requires a different approach, is that of
documents containing typewriting and typescript With the
existence of various machine, many of the documents being submitted in the questioned
document laboratory involves typescript. Its scientific examination may leads towards the
determination of its origin, age and sometimes even the identity of the typist. Different
typewriters are now manufactured in many highly industrialized countries with certain
varieties in form and mechanicai construction and even in electronic fom such as the IBM
electric typewriters. A conventional typewriter may be look as an very simple machine
with simple operation, but looking closely on the way its pieces of mechanism works the
typist will find it a beat complex still. It takes some interlocking keys before the machine
will fully work for its purpose. Before a typist starts his work, there are certain
adjustment or pre-arrangement to be made in order to come up with the desired results. It
only means to say that in a number of words, sentence or paragraph that a typist has
typewritten in sheet of paper involves a number of motivated working parts.
At present, problems relating to typewriting and typescript becoming more complicated
due to advancement in technology such as the used of computers, printers, scanners. fn
some advanced country, one of the latest crimes, which
involves machination is the spread of cyber crime. Through computers, microchips,
scanners and other modern machine accounts are being transferred from one account
numbers to another.
January 7, 1714 — is the first recorded attempt to invent a typewriter found in the
records of the British patent office, granted by her majesty Queen Anne, to Henry Mill,
an English engineer.
1827 the first United States patent for a mechanical writing machine was issued to
William A Burt of Detroit, Michigan
1867 — Christopher Latham Sholes developed the sholes glided and sole typewriter
patented on June 23, 1568, it mechanically impressed the upper casee letter for the
alphabet into a piece of paper. It may be viewed at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington
D.C.
March 1, 1873 — Sholes entered into contract with the Remington Arms Wor Lion New
York to produce the sholes Gladder and Scult typewriter.
1874— Model no. 1 of the Remington typewriter become available to the public,
1978 Remington model no. 2 which first wrote both upper and lower cased letters were
introduced
IMPORTANT TERMS IN CONNECTION WITH TYPEWRITINGS
TYPEFACE It is the printing surface of the type block.
TYPEFACE DEFECT —- Any peculiarity of the typewriting caused be actual damage
to the typeface metal, which may be actual break in the outline of the letters.
CHARACTERS -— In connection with typewriting, is used to include letters symbols,
numerals or point of functions.
PICA TYPE FACE — Typeface impression ordinarily spaced ten (10) characters to the
horizontal pitch.
ELITE TYPE FACE - Typeface impression ordinarily spaced twelVe (12) characters to
the horizontal pitch.
PROPORTIONAL SPACING MACHINE — A typewriter with type letter spacing
similar to the type spacing of conventional printed in which all letters are allotted
horizontai in conformity with their relative widths.
TRANSITORY DEFECTS — ts an identifying typewriter characteristic, which can be
eliminated by cleaning the machine or replacing the ribbon.
PERMANENT DEFECTS — Any identifying typewriting characteristics of a typeface
of replacing the
IDENTIFICATION RULE IN TYPEWRITING IDENTIFICATION
Two specimens of typewriting are the works of single typewriter 'if all type — sized,
design, and the spacing are same in the two documents and if there is a unique
combination of defective character and no significant difference in common between the
sets of specimen.
PRINCIPAL TECHNIQUES UTILIZED IN TYPEWRITING IDENTIFICATION
The principal technique utilized in comparing a questioned typewriting with a known
typewriting on their proper sequence are the following:
1. Measure the type pitch
Letter spacing in majority of typewriters has been traditionally made either in 1/12 inch
(Elite type face pitch) and 1/10 inch (pica type face pitch) In certain
countries, type sizes have been designs in various metric system such as in the case of
elite spacing it is not only limited to 1/12 inch it is likewise express in 212 mm, 2.00,
2.20, 2.23) 2.25, and 2.30 mm while in pica spacing includes 2.50 and 260 mm in
addition to 2.54 mm which is the equivalent of 1/10 in. The identification of type
measurements would greatly help the investigator in search of the probable instrument to
look for. This technique would lessen the search for the probable instrument despite the
existence of modem equipments. Most of the typewriter designed for commercial use
largely in a form of manual or conventional type, where type characters are form with the
use of a type bar or type metal bar, which carries the designs of the character. This
becomes prevalence up to the mid of the 20 century.
In 1939 a different type of typewriter mechanism was introduced by the IBM company
which was called the Proportional spacing machine and which are known in the market as
executive typewriter. This type of typewriter usually designed to make typescript with
1132, 1/36 or 1/45 in spacing. This type of machine was largely manufacture in United
States by Remington and Olivetti (Underwood) companies. Through the combination of
letter spacing and letter designs, makes and model of typewriter can be determined.
Verify the size and design
The determination of the size and designs of typefaces is an accurate means in
determining the make and model of a typewriter especially in dealing : with domestic
machines. Actually, in determining ethe make and model of a typewriter what is
necessary is to have a complete reference collection containing the various changes in
typeface designs by different manufacturer, but a random search for a particular specimen
in such a file might entail unnecessary loss of time. Such determination of the make and
model will lessen the burden and the time element necessary in looking into the probable
typewriter from which a questioned typewriting was typewritten. This is true especially
when the make and the model were properly identified.
VERFICATION OF TYPEFACE DESIGN AND SIZE
(Primary type size and design)
THE FOLLOWING DESIGNS
The central serif the same height as the sides.
W — 2 The central serif without a serif, the same height on the sides.
a low center.
G — I Tangent the two (2) oval arid the connecting strokes in a vertical- line which does
not lean more than 20 degrees to the right and the space between the upper oval and the
lower oval is narrow less than the half the vertical dimension of the lower oval,
G— 2 The left tangent of the two ovals ad the connecting strokes "C — 1" but the space
between the upper and the lower oval is equal or greater than the half the vertical
dimension of the lower oval.
G — 3 The top is offset to the right by the means of.gooseneck connecting strokes.
68
4 The connecting stroke between the upper and the lower oval does not extend to the left
far enough to touch the common tangent.
G 5 The common tangent of the two ovals and. the connecting stroke is inclined to the
right vertical by more than 20 degrees.
G — IA Sub-class of G — where the lower oval is no large as to almost tough the top
oval.
G — I B Sub-class of G —1 smith in whiéh the top oval and the bottom strokes of the
lower oval are straight (ines
T — 1 The cross stroke extends -the same distance to the right and left of the vertical
staff.
T -—2 The cross bar is larger to the right of the vertical staff than to the left extending
out to at least the inner edge of the bottom curve.
6, Construction of sentences;
Observance or non-observance of grammatical rules; and
Subject matter in general as relating to specifically to the typewriting itseh the matter to
consider in addition to those mention above are:
Depth of identification of paragraph. (indention);
Spacing before and/or after punctuations;
Use of characters in an unusual ways as:
) Capital "l" for figure u 1"
Small "rt for capital "l"
(3) Sign for the word "and"
Arrangement of conclusions;
Erroneous repetitions of letters or words;
Arrangement of heading;
Striking shift key letters in the wrong position;
Repeated heavy impressions of certain letters;
Uniform light impressions of certain characters;
Peculiar erasures or corrections;
Uneven margin;
Balanced or unbalanced placing of letter on page;
Length oflines; and
Method of writing numbers, amounts and fractions.
dentification of Age of the Typewriter:
The basis of identification is upon selected letters. Each of these letters turn is classified
by means of various features of its designs into one of several roups:
The three (3) basic letters in the system in the order of their use are ug" and "t", may not
be always positively identify the machine.
The letters r, y, m, l, and s, serves as supplementary factors in the pica stems and a, r, y,
l, m, and comma(,) in the elite type.
CHAPTER Xl
Scientific Handwriting Examination Process
1. Examination Process:
Analysis
Properties or characteristics of the disputed writing are observed, taking into
consideration its feature of form (general or individual) and Jine quality (whether written
in a natural manner or not). Consistency and oneness of execution of the disputed writing
is also verified.
Four important things to consider in initially analyzing the questioned and standard
writings before conducting a comparison.
Determine whether date of execution of questioned and known writing are
contemporary.
Determine age and physical condition of writer at the time of execution of questioned
and known writing.
c. Determine lowest and highest level of writing capability of the writer thru the
questioned and known writing.
d. Also, determine separately whether questioned and standard writings were written by
one person and how identifiable (individualistic) are the writings.
Comnarieon
Properties or characteristics of the unknown (disputed) as determined through analysis,
are compared with the known attributes of the standard items.
Five Elements or Examination—aspects that should be considered in all handwriting
comparisons:
General (system of writing) characteristics against individual features..
Consistency or inconsistency of individual features, i.e., habitual, accidental, temporary
or rare.
Whether writing is within the demonstrated capability of the writer.
Whether the individual features are hidden characteristics o not.
Frequency of occurrence of a certain feature based o experience.
Ill. Evaluation
Writing elements or characteristics is assigned a value based on the following
1. Degree of consistency with which it occurs throughout th
Degree of speed or spontaneity with which it was made;
Extent to which it deviates from the prescribed ort copy book standards;
Frequency with which it is encountered in writings taken at random; and
Degree of conspicuousness of the element in question and others of a more or less
complexity.
COMMON CAUSES OF ERRORS IN RENDERING A CONCLUSION
1Basing opinion on inadequate amount of writing disputed or standards.
2Allowing outside pressure, influence, prejudice, sympathy, or antipathy to effect a
conclusion.
3. quality.
CHAPTER
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENT PROBLEMS
Documents as discussed in chapter two are questioned not only because of the signature
that t bare nor only because of the handwriting it contains but rather on a variety of ways
depending upon the issue that was raised and what it completely made up. This chapter
discussed on the miscellaneous problems that document examiner might encounter in
re}ation to. the genuineness of the document such as (1) Detection of alteration, (2)
{Decipherment and or restoration of erased writing, (3) Decipherment,pf obliterated
writing, (4 Examination of Indented writing, (5) developing -secret writings, (6)
Examination of Charred documents, (7) Examination of Contact writings, (8)
Examination of water-soaked documents, (9) Determination of age of Documents, (10)
Developing Latent Prints in
l. Alteration
Alterations in documents can either be an addition or deletion in its original content,
which is not a part of its original production.
Alterations in documents do not necessarily mean a forgery in as much as there can be
alterations that are considered a part of the genuineness of the document. Usually an
obvious alteration is a common indication of a genuine alteration considering that the
author is not bothered by its atteration for anytime he or she can attest •to its genuineness.
On the other hand, documents containing partly concealed alterations are the usual
indication of forgery. This is true in most cases because of the attempt of the forger to
successfully passed
document.
ALTERATIONS ARE MADE IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEANS:
61. ERASURE
Removal of the writing from the paper. An erasure can be made by mechanical or
chemical means. Erasure by abrasions which leaves spots and black patches too
pronounced to escape detection by the alert examiner. Eradication by means of
chemicals, on the other hand, leaves traces of some reagents in a document especially in
newly bleached document which when viewed in some instruments will often show a
yellowish discoloration.
78 lAktaw
hydrochloric acid to form Prussian blue which makes the writing plainly visWe.
The most scientific method of restoring ink is by fuming. Hold Of stretch the document
over a saucer containing ammonium sulfide. If the writing is very dim, support the
document over the saucer and cover With glass. The ammonium sulfide fumes will cause
the iron in the ink to dark enough to read. For permanent record, photograph this because
the moment the document is lifted out of the fumes the writing disappears again.
Metallic iodine crystals may also be used in fuming, but they usually discolor the paper.
Though useful in helping to 'bring out iaterft ink lines, much care must be exercised in
their use. Indelible pencil writing can also be restored using ammonium sulfide or iodine
fumes and documents should be photographed by transmitted light (throwing strong light
through
the paper from behind it.)
METHODS OF EXAMINATIONS 'F ERADICATIONS IS SUSPECTED:
PHYSICAL METHODS OR NON DESTTRUCTIVE PROCESS
c. VISUAL INSPECTION- ARTIFICIAL LIGHT varying in intensity. and reflected at
different lighting is useful but later transmitted light, if the effect of the and oblique
light is unsatisfactory. DIRECT LIGHTING, it is the normal method of looking at the
is arrange a it less dir su ace of the paper and the eyes also iooks down on to
it. Transmitte light is of the most owerful methods in the docume armory. n
essential, it is nothing more than placing the document for front of a powerful source of
light so that the eyes perceives only the light which has traveled through the document. In
practice, it is most convenient to have the document supported on a Sheet of opalescent
glass, which act as both support and light diffuser. The sheet of glass is itself supported
above a powerful source of light by a wood or metal frame. To protect the eye from glare
a hole (n a sheet Of cardboard is moved over the portion of the document, which is to be
explored. This method is also very useful in showing watermarks Of the paper, although
ultra violet light is still much powerful in detecting watermarks. Oblique light, here the
source of light is a bulb Of comparatively low wattage about 40w. — Held in a fairly
close-fitting metal reflector titled so that the effective source of illumination is not the
bulb but the narrow area at the bottom of the inside of the reflector. It is useful in
bringing out any physical faults in the nature of the paper surface across which the light
passes.
opaque the effected area of the bag in what seemed to have been obvious effort to prevent
identification of the bag. Despite of the opacity of the near black saturation to transmitted
light, it proved relatively transparent to infrared radiation. Retracing and overwriting
when one writing is made over another, the strokes made last show clearly on top. The
last writing was made at least several minutes after the first had dried and therefore there
is no fusing or spreading of the ink on the places where the strokes or lines crossed.
In case of a writing obliterated by a blue crayon, acetone or any inorganic, solvent can be
used to dissolve the crayon. If a suitable solvent is not immediately known, the
preliminary experiments on the pigments similar to those involved in the obliteration may
be made to find what solvent will remove the covering pigments without destroying the
or leaving the original writing
undisturbed. The following solvents may be tried: water, alcohol, benzene, acetone,
carbon tetrachioride, toluene; xylener turpentine; amyl acetat, and morpholine.
If the obliteration was accomplished by the use of paper cardboard, or similar materials
to cover the writing dry carbon tetrachloride or benzene may be used to render the reverse
side translucent by rubbing against the surface, of the paper is then made.
The following methods are offered in
Visual observation
Fuming with iodine or in some cases with ammonia. ammonium sulfide, or thiocyanic
acid, these three (3) are very useful if iron is a constituent of the writing.
Bleaching the covering
Photography with color
Very recently, Joseph D. Nicole, Chief technician of Dade Country Criminal Bureau of
investigation laboratory develop a new method of reproducing cancelled writing made
with printing inks composed of organic dyes by aPplication of "Thermo Fax" duplicating
machine. This machine can • only reproduce writing, which are made up of graphite or
carbon black.
ADDITION
The validity of a document is sometimes quite naturally questioned because it contains
those parts in the form of interlineations or additions, which may greatly change, extend,
or limit its effect and value. In a case of this kind, the question to be determined is of
course whether the additions or Page 83 -84 laktaw
Many documents have been change by substitution of a whole fraudulent sheet for a
genuine sheet where a document consist more than one sheet. Wills, patent applications,
and other documents have thus been altered and no doubt have in many instances wholly
escaped detection. This naturally is a problem involving almost all the elements or phases
of a document and questions may arise regarding paper, watermarks, ink, handwriting,
typewriting, binding, contents, continuity and other questions discussed in various
preceding chapters. An investigation of this kind should give attention to all these
matters.
OTHER FORMS OF ILLEGIBLE WRITINGS
A. INVISIBLE WRmNG
This type of writing specifically referring to writing which have no readily visible or
legible writing for they have been made by using a sympathetic ink or invisible ink. It is
generally used by criminals to avoid possible interception of the information they want to
transmit. The development and detection of this is quite simple but when in a more
serious aspects of it like in cases of espionage, developing is somewhat a difficult task.
The rationale of it lies on- the fact that persons involved in espionage usually make use of
no ordinary chemicals in preparing their correspondence compare to that of an ordinary
criminals who have a limited mentally respecting the use of sympathetic inks. Since an
invisible vmting is done using a &iemical much of its development depends on the
type of chemicals to be applied to make the writing legible.
In case of possible presence of an invisible writing, the first step that the investigator
should do is to mark and photograph any document in order to preserve the original
condition necessary for the court presentation or other purposes. Methods of the
development can be done by physical or chemical means but still physiæl means should
always be the first option since it does not give any damage to the documents.
B . PHYSICAL METHODS
The methods like the usual one involve the use of light source of varying intensity. It
includes examination by transmitted light, oblique light, reflected light, ultraviolet light,
and infrared light: The application of heat is also one method Of
which of the essence for there are invisible writing which are developed when the
document is dried and was heated. For example, hydrated cobaltous chloride is pink but
forms a colorless solution when diluted If writing with this substance are heated, it losses
it water of hydration and becomes blue.
C .CHEMICAL. METHODS
chemical methods of developing an invisible writing is Often accomplished using the
fuming method.
degree Celsius. This procedure is repeated several times until a mass of chloral hydrate
corstals from the solution of which 13cc of glycerin have been added. The doament is
again dried at 60degtee CelsiuS. Both sides are examined and photographed using
process film.
Mrs. Purisima T. Dumaul, NBL Chemist, has her own method of producing bumed
money by heating the specimen in a furnace under controlled temperature and time
suficient to convert the carbon deposit to carbon dioxide. men this is through the original
design, serial number and denomination of the paper will be restored. Examples of this
were bumed money submitted by the
Central bank which was reproduced.
E. INDENTED WRITING
Indented writing usually applied to a partial depressions appearing on a sheet of paper
underneath the one on which the -visible writing appears. This depressions or indentions
are due to the application of pressure on the writing instrument and would appear as a
carbon copy if a sheet of paper has been properly inserted. it can also appear on a black
sheet of paper used as the backing of the sheet while typing or writing out certain
message. Although, writing are often illegible the message so impressed can be possibly
develop or become more legible by appropriate treatment. This kind of writing can often
be found in alterations made to a document consisting of two or more pages. An
example of this is in a case of a questioned will, where the husband of the
diseased claimed that the alterations found on the will was made before it was signed.
Upon examinations of the document, it was found that on the second page of the will
showed some indented writings over the typewritten words. Common sense will teli you
testator had signed the will.
deciphering
A. PHYSICAL
SIDE LIGHTING — Letting a strong beam of nearly parallel light almost horizontally
over the surface of the paper. The indentions will appear as a shadow as on the untouched
surface sand the writing will then be outlined.
USE OF POWERS — This method is just same with. procedure done in developing
fingerprint, which requires a considerable skill and best choice of powder for the best
results of the examination.
INDENTION ON THE REVERSE SIDE In cases Of obliterations where the writing on
a sheet of paper has been obscured by overwriting with inks, pencil or crayon, it is
sometimes possible to discem the nature of the
writing by examination of the reverse side. If the original writing of typewriting was
made with heavy strokes, the paper will be pushed out on the reverse side in the pattem of
the writing, such indented writing may be reproduced by photography with side lighting
as described above.
B, CHEMICAL
FUMING — Some procedure with the deciphering of erased writing or obliterated
writing. Usually these •methods leave no perceptible 'trace ci any sort of treatment
because of the absence of the ink.
USE OF CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS - The principle behind the use of the chemical
solutions due to the fact that the presSure applied to the paper will create a deformation
of the fiber structure of the paper beneath. If an
iodine solution (lg iodine, 8g potassium iodide in Bcc of water and adding 20cc of
glycerin) is dabbed with cotton on the paper, the indented writing will become readily
visible and can then be photographed.
The paper can be restored to its original condition by dabbing it with 1% solution of
hypo sodium thiosulfate. Always remember that this method does not apply to all kinds
of paper especially to a ruled paper for the lines will appear slightly smudged.
CONTACT WRITING
Partially visibie writing due to the sudden contact of a blank paper into another paper
containing freshly applied inks. Cases Of this are Often referred to the NBI, in one case
an envelope in which a letter was sent to one of the detained prisoners was found to
contain traces of illegible writing. These invisible, traces which nothing but constituents
of the ink used in Writing the letter and placed inside the envelope before the writing
was allowed to dry, may be processed and photographed.
The following procedure of Paul Ermel is recommended for the processing of the contact
writing.
The surface of the paper is treated in a dark room by red light with a solution composed
of 5g silver nitrate, lg citric acid, 0.5g tartaric acid and three (3) drops of nitric acid in
100g of distilled water. The writing is developed in ordinary light and fixed with ordinary
fixation. Since the process of fixation weakens the intensity of the letters, it is advisable
to photograph the writing first:
The principie of this method is "based on the oxidation of the ferrous ion of the ink by
the silver nitrate to ferric ion and reduction of silver, which is deposited.
Since the reaction takes place at boiling temperature, it is to add citric and tartaric acids to
the reagent in order to form complexions with the ferric ions, which are formed. This
method is applied only if the treatment is made before the treatment is made before the
lapse of thirty days since only a negligible amount of iron is present in the inks after this
period.
If the inks involved the contact writing contains iron, copper, and
vanadium, it is possible to develop the illegible writing by the following methods:
IRON — Solution of ammonium thiocyanate and sodium sulfide may be used to develop
the cationic pictures i.e. the colored compound, which results when the metallic cation
reacts with the reagent, forming an outline of the original writing.
CHROMIUM With a capillary pipette and to the area one(l) drop of solution containing
4g sodium hypo chlorite and 2g barium chloride in 1200cc of distilled water. After a few
seconds, add a very small amount of phenol and one (1) drop of 1% diphenylacarbazide
solution of alcohol. A red color will appear which can bedtscharged by adding a few
drops of 10%sulfuric acid solution. A blue color appears if cromate is present and an
outline of a mirror image of the originaLwriting will be apparent. Any result must be
photographed.
3, COPPER A drop of 2% ammonium hydroxide -is placed on the area selected. After a
few seconds, a drop of dithizone (diphenylacarbazone) is added (10 mg of dithizone in
500cc carbon tetrachloride). The green color of the reagent changes to brown, if copper is
present and reverse outline of the original writing will develop. Photograph the .result.
4. VANADIUM — To the area selected, add one (1) drop of a solution Of 12% nitric
acid. After a few minutes, add one (1) drop of 1% hydrogen peroxide solution avoiding
excess. If vanadium is present, a reddish brown color will be developed and reversed
outline of the original writing
will appear. Photograph the result.
DENTIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS THROUGH WATERMARKS
Every document made or manufactured contains distinctive unaracteristics which makes
a paper different from the other paper. Such characteristics are called watermarks. This
was placed on the paper during the time of its manufacture through the aid of dandy roll.
Watermarks are being identified using transmitted light gadget with an illumination,
either from the back or bottom of the paper that will guit to be identified. In some
instances, it can also be used to dotcrmine the dato Of manufacture of papers because
sometimes they make different designs depending upon the date of manufacture. This is
true to say especially in the most famous paper makers. Thus, in order to have an accurate
determination of papers, examiner should strive to go in contact with the different
manufacturers for their records of watermarks they are using in the manufacture of the
papers.
Accidental Markings and Impressions on a Document
The preparation of a document represents a series of planned acts, but at times important
elements become part of the document purely by chance and not through the
premeditated design of either those who prepared the document or those who
subsequently handle it, In this way, latent fingerprints, writings offset from some other
document, embossing from writing strokes that are not part of the page in question, and
traces of foreign matter with which the document has been in contact find their way into
it. More than likely their presence is entirely unknown the documents author, but under
propitious ciræmstances these chance markings and additions can play a significant role.
LATENT FINGERPRINTS
Latent (Invisible) fingerprints are piace upon papers simply by handling
and remain until chemically developed. The case with which they are added to a paper
and their invisibility is definite assets, especially in investigations. If it is possible to
develop an identifiabie print to be compared with those of suspect, a very positive form
of evidence may be forthcoming. With some types of criminal investigation, such as
stolen checks cashed with a disguised, fraudulent endorsement, such a print can assume
significant importance.
Alteration
– refers to any form of changes be it an addition or a deletion to the original contents
of a document.
Black papers – a sheet of paper which contains no visible or readily visible writing.
At times it might only contains certain depressed mark or latent writing that can be
made legible with proper treatment,
Characteristics – refers to any property or mark which serves a distinguishing
traits and in questioned document examination it is commonly referred to as
Identifying Details. There are two groups of characteristics, class and individual
Collection – as used in this text, refers to critical comparison of two or more
specimen or side by side examination
Comparison – is the act of setting two or more specimen/items side by side to weigh
their identifying qualities. It infers not only a visual but also the mental act in which
the elements of one item are related to the counterparts of the other.
Cursive Writing – specimen of writing in which the letter arefor the most part joined
together.
Document examiner – one who studies scientifically the detailsand elements of
documents so as to determine their source or to determine their authenticity. he also
referred to a handwriting identification experts although at present questioned
document examiner’s at work are so caried and complex.
Decipherment – refers to the process of making clear or out of what is otherwise
illegible or what has been effaced.
Disguised writing – is a specimen of writing executed deliberately by the author in
trying to alter his usual writing habits in the hope of hiding his identity.
Examination – is the act of making a close or critical study of any material so as to
discover facts about them.
Expert witness – it is a legal term used to describe a witness who by reason of his
special technical training or experience is permitted to express an opinion regarding
the issue, or a certain aspect of the issue, that is involved in a lawsuit. His purpose in
court is to make a proper interpretation of some information so as to assist the court in
properly administering justice. Document examiner testifies in court as an expert
witness once he/she was allowed to do so.
Forgery – it refers to the act of simulating or copying or tracing somebody’s signature
without the permission of the later, for profit. It is also defined as the act of falsifying
and counterfeiting of treasury or bank notes, paper bills or any instruments payable to
bearer or order.
Guided writing – specimen of writing executed while the writer’s hand is at steadied.
Hand lettering – any disconnected style of writing also known as hand printing.
Holographic document – any document which is completely written and signed by
one person. Derived from the latin word “holo” which means “hand” and “graph”
which means “writing”.
Model signature – a genuine signature which has been used in preparing simulated or
traced forgery. Also known as model.
Natural writing – any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt to
control or alter its identifying habits.
Restoration – it refers to the process by which an erased writing is developed or
brought out again on the surface of the document itself.
Reference collection – material compiled and organized by the document examiner to
assist him in answering special questions comprises his reference collections which he
regularly maintained.
Sample – refers to a selected, representative portion of the whole. Is the some or few
representatives of the general population.
Significant writing habits – refers to characteristics of writing which is sufficiently
unique and well fixed to serve as a strong basis for the identity or non-identity of the
writing.
Slant – refers to the degree of writing inclination relative to the baseline or the slope
of the writing.
Standards – are the condensed and compact set of authentic specimens which, if
adequate and proper, should contain a true cross-section of the material from the
known source. They are design to be used for comparison and identification of
document.
Writing – it is the result of a very complicated series of acts being as a whole or a
combination of certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by long
continued painstaking effort.
Writing condition – it includes both the circumstances under which the writing was
prepared and the factors which influence the writer’s ability to write at the time of
execution.
Writing habits – refers to any repeated elements or details which may serve to
individualize writing
Wrong handed writing – any writing executed with the opposite hand from that
normally used can be term “wrong-handed writing”. This is one means of disguise.
KIND OF TREMOR
Genuine Tremor
a. Tremor of old age
b. Tremor of weakness or sickness
c. Tremor of illiteracy – tremor that is not due to weakening of the
muscle bu due to lack of skills on the part of the writer
Tremor of fraud – refers to tremor at the wrong place or tremor that
is wrongly placed
ELEMENTS OF WRITING MOVEMENTS
Writing (pen) pressure – is the average force with which the pen comes in
contact with the paper or the usual force involves in the writing.
Pen emphasis – is the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper surface
with increase pressure of writing.
Rhythm – is the balance quality of movement or the harmonious recurrence of the
strokes or impulse.
Skills – refers to the relative degree of the writer’s proficiency.
Speed – cannot be measured precisely from the finished handwriting by it can be
interpreted in broad term as to slow and drawn, deliberate average and rapid.
Pen-lift – an interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing instrument from
the paper.
Shading – refers to the more obvious increase in the width of the letter strokes or the
widening of the in strokes due to the added ink on the flexible pen point or the use of
the stub pen.
Pen position – is the location of the pen in relation to the paper surface, which can be
determined by the presence of the emphasis of pen shading.
Pen hold / pen scope – represents the reach of the hand with the wrist at rest is the
average scope or limits of the pen during the process of writing with the wrist of the
hand at still.
Retracing or Retrace – is the stroke that goes back over another writing strokes, it is
slightly to occur in the others handwriting.
Retouching or patching – Is a stroke going back to repair a defective portion of the
writing stroke. Careful patching is a common fault in forgeries.
CLASSES OF SIGNATURE
Formal or complete – class of signature used in acknowledging important document
such as will, checks, contract and business papers.
Informal or Cursory – a class of signature for routinely executed document or made
for personal correspondence.
Careless scribble – used for mail carrier, deliver of goods, purchase of equipment’s
and an autograph collector.
Decipherment of Erased Writings
Erasure – refers to removal of writings or any part of a document either my
mechanical or chemical process.
Mechanical Erasure – done by means of abrasive method through rubbing or
scrapping.
Chemical Erasure – done with the aid or use of bleaching agent called in eradicator.
Usually examined with the aid of fuming, transmitted light, oblique light and ultra-
violet light examination.
Decipherment of Obliterated Writing
Obliteration – is the process of smearing over an original writing to make it
undecipherable or illegible.
Done with the used of superimposing inks.
Usually examined with the used of infra-red lights
Examination of Charred Document and water soaked document
Charred Document – refers to partly burned or brittle document. Decipherment is
usually accomplished with the used of infra-red light examination.
Development of Invisible Writing
Invisible Writing – writing that has no readily visible ink strokes. Made by
sympathetic inks such as acids, juice and others. They are possible of development
depending on the ink used methods of development can be by heat, water, chemical
fuming or by ultra violet light process.
Decipherment of Contract Writing
Contract writing – refers to partially visible ink strokes cause by sudden contact
between a sheet of paper with another paper containing fresh ink. Can be enhanced
through fuming or ultra violet process.
WRITING AND SIGNATURE
System Writing – is a combination of the basic shape and designs of letter and the
writing movement which was taught in school.
Copy book form – is an illustration of the basic design of letters that is fundamental
to the writing system.
Writing movement – refers to factors relative to the motion of the pen such as,
pressure, rhythm, pen-lifting, etc.
TYPES OF MOVEMENT
Finger (used by beginners)
Hand (wrist serves as the point of pivotal and of limited freedom)
Forearm (most skillful type of movement)
Whole arm (used for ornamental or large writings)
TYPES OF CHARACTERISTICS
Class Characteristics – characteristics or properties which are common or which can
be found in the specimen writing of otherperson. Gross characteristics.
Individual Characteristics – Which are highly personal or peculiar. That which is
unlikely to occur in other’s hand writing.
METHODS OF TRACING
Carbon outline process – used of carbon paper.
Indention process – used of considerable pressure, canal-like process
Projection or transmitted light process – used of light from the back or bottom.
MAJOR TYPES OF FORGERY
Simple forgery – a forges signature where no attempt has been made to make a copy
or facsimile of the genuine writing of a person purported to sign document. Also
known as SPURIOUS SIGNATURE.
Simulated or Copied forgery – forged signature which resembles the genuine
signature written in free hand. Considered as the most skillful form of forgery.
Traced forgery – forged signature which closely resembles the genuine made by
some tracing (drawing) process or outline form.