QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS EXAMINATION

Document
It refers to any material which contains marks, symbols or signs either visible, partly
visible or invisible which may presently or ultimately convey a meaning or a message to
someone.
It is any written statement by which a right is established or an obligation extinguished.
(People vs. Moreno, C.A., 38 O.G. 119)

Presentation of Material as Evidence

If we are to consider a material as evidence in court, it can be considered as either object
evidence or documentary evidence. The question of what specific form of evidence will it be
depends on the purpose for which the material is presented to court

Two Categories of Document

1. Standard Document
Specimen documents, in which the origin is known, can be proven and can legally be
used as a sample to compare with other things in question. It also referred to condensed and a
compact set of authentic specimens which, if adequate and proper, should contain a true
correction of the material from a known source.

2. Questioned Document
It refers to a document in which an issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny.

Two Types Standard Document

1. Collected or Procured Standard
Specimen standard which is obtained from the records of files, executed in the ordinary
course of man's activities be it social, business, official or personal affairs.

2. Requested Standard
It refers to those which are given or made upon request of an investigator or document
examiner for purposes of making a comparative examination with the questioned specimen. It is
sometimes referred to as the Dictated Standard. It is likewise tem as Post Litem Motam
Standard in the Latin word.

Classes of Disputed Documents

1. Document with questioned signature (Common).
One of the most commonly encountered cases due to the exceeding value of signature to
human affairs. Man can transfer obligations and rights from one person to another through
signing of documents.
Signature = is a name of a person signed by him on a document as a sign of
acknowledgement.

2. Document containing alleged fraudulent alterations.

Another class of disputed signature that also captured the attention of questioned
document examiner for its has a variety of sub classes such as erasure, addition, interlineations,
insertion, obliteration, contact writings, invisible writing, charred document, water-soaked
documents and others.

3. Holographic Document (Document which is completely written and signed by only one
person).

● Deed – is a conveyance of realty

● Will – is an instrument by which a person makes a disposition of his property, to take effect
after his death, and by which by its own nature is ambulatory and revocable during his
lifetime.
The legal expression or declaration of a person’s mind or wishes as to the
disposition of his property, to be performed or to take effect after his death (Black’s Law
Dictionary)

Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 1

Two Categories of Will
a. Notarial Will = a will signed by the testator in the presence of a witness and acknowledge
before a notary public
b. Holographic Will = a will written, dated and signed by the testator himself

4. Document questioned as to their age or date.

Example:
a. land titles
b. certificates
c. licenses and other government documents, which are subject to expirations and renewal

5. Document questioned as to the material used in their production

Example:
a. Passport
b. License
c. Certification
d. Currency Bills, and others

6. Documents involving typewriting that are investigated or examined for the purpose of
determining their:
a. source
b. date, and
c. content.
7. Documents which may identify a person through handwriting
8. Genuine documents erroneously or fraudulently altered or disputed

BASIC POINTS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN OBTAINING

STANDARDS A. Collected/Procured Standard
1. Similarity of Subject Matter
Rule: Only like things should be compared.
2. Amount of Writing Standards
No hard or fast rule as to the fixed number of standards necessary to constitute
sufficiency or adequacy of standards. Although experience shows that at least seven (7)
standards usually constitute sufficiency of standards

3. Relative Dates of the Questioned and standard Document

Standards for comparison should be relatively contemporary in dates.

Contemporary as used in questioned documents refers to documents that are executed at

least within five (5) years before or after the questioned document.

4. Writing Instrument and paper used

5. Writing Conditions

Writing Conditions – refers to all factors affecting the overall quality of writing such as the
writer’s condition under which the writing was prepared.

B. Requested/Dictated Standard
1. The test must be carefully selected – do not dictate the questioned document exactly as it is
for such a test will give the opportunity for the subject to recall how he/she prepared the question
if he is the suspect to the case.
2. Dictate the test to the writer and never allow the subject to see the questioned document. 3.
Dictation must be repeated at least 3 times. – This is to give a chance for the subject to cope
with the dictation and not for him to be in a hurry in preparing the standards. 4. Dictation must be
interrupted at an interval so that the suspect will feel relaxed and be able to execute his natural
writing.
5. Utilized the same writing instrument and paper as that of the questioned. 6. Normal writing
conditions should be arranged so that the writer will feel relaxed during the process of dictation.
Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 2
Comparison = refers to the act of setting two or more specimens/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
Collation = refers to critical comparison of two or more specimens or side by side examination.
Examination = is the act of making a close or a critical study of any material so as to discover
facts about them.
Exemplars = refers to specimen standards or disputed documents which have been used for
comparison.
Exhibit = is the term used when referring to the specimen standards or questions which are
presented to court as evidence.
Specimen = evidence submitted to the laboratory which can either be Questioned or Standard.
Sample = the some or few representatives of the general population.

Legal Classes of Documents

1. Public document = a document created, executed or issued by a public official in response
to exigencies of the public service, or in execution of which a public official intervened; Refers to
instrument authorized by a notary public or a competent public official with solemnities required
by law.
2. Official Document = issued by a public official in the exercise of the functions of his office;
also a public document. It usually bears the seals and authorized signatory. 3. Private
document = a deed or instrument executed by a private person without the intervention of a
notary public or other person legally authorized, by which document, some disposition of
agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth.
4. Commercial document = defined and regulated by the Code of Commerce or other
commercial law. Capable of being transacted or negotiated.
5. Electronic Document = any material containing marks, symbols and signs recorded
electronically.
Proof of Authenticity (Revised rules on Evidence - Rules of Court Rule 132)

Sec. 19 Classes of documents. – For the purpose of their presentation in evidence,

documents are either public or private.
Public Documents
a. The written officials acts, or records of the official; acts of the sovereign authority, official
bodies and tribunals, and public officers, whether of the Philippines, or of a foreign country; b.
Documents acknowledge before a notary public except last wills and testament, and c. Public
records, kept in the Philippines, or private documents required by law to be entered therein.
d. All other writings are private.
Sec. 20 Proof of Private Documents – before any Private document offered as authentic is
received in evidence, its due execution and authenticity must be proved either: a. By anyone
who saw the document executed or written ; or
b. By evidence of the genuineness of the signature or handwriting of the maker.

Sec. 21. When evidence of authenticity of private documents not necessary – Where a
private document is more than thirty (30) years old, is produced from a custody in which it
would naturally be found if genuine, and is unblemished by any alternations of circumstances of
suspicion, no other evidence of its authenticity need be given.

Ancient Document = document that is more than 30 years, found in a place where it is
normally to be found if genuine and not embellished by any alteration.

Sec. 22 How genuineness of handwriting proved – The handwriting be proved by any

witness who believes it to be the handwriting of such person because he has seen the person
write, or has seen writing purporting to be his upon which the witness has acted or been
charged, and has thus acquired knowledge of the handwriting of such person. Evidence
respecting the handwriting may also be given by a comparison, made by the witness of the
evidence offered, proved to be genuine to the satisfaction of the judge.

PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF HANDWRITING

Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 3
The brain writing center near the motor area of the cortex is responsible for the
movements involved in handwriting. This center is in the brain areas, controls vision, hearing,
talking and walking and it guides the muscles of the hand as they weave through the complex
movements that make the words. Since writing begins in the brain, emotions and attitudes both
of the mind influence how we write just as they influence how we talk and walk.
AGRAPHIA = a mental disease where one loses the ability to write although he could still grasp
a writing instrument

Graphology = the art of attempting to interpret the character or personality of an individual from
his handwriting. It is also called grapho-analysis.

STEPS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF 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
occupies the focus of his attention.
Step NO. 2 – As the person progresses, the matter of form recedes and the focus of attention is
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 mind and the process of handwriting becomes more or less
automatic. As the person attains maturity in writing it 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.

Kinds of Arm Muscle

1. Extensor = it pushes the pen up to make upward strokes
2. Flexor = it pulls the pen down to make downward strokes
3. Lumbrical = used for lateral movement

Upward stroke = goes away from the body of a letter

Downward stroke = goes toward the body

Copy-book-form = is an illustration of the basic designs of letters that are fundamental to the
writing system.
System of Writing = is the combination of the basic shape and designs of letters and the writing
movement which was taught in school.

TWO COMMON SYSTEMS OF WRITING IN THE PHILIPPINES

These are the Angular and the Rounded System.

The Angular System is the one taught in the early years of the students' study and later
as they move to the higher level of learning, they were trained already to adopt the Rounded
System.

Writing = is the visible result of a 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.

Handwriting is a visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost unconscious expression

of fixed muscular habits, reacting from fixed mental impressions of certain ideas associated with
script form.

TWO CLASSIFICATIONS OF HANDWRITING ACCORDING TO FORM 1. Cursive

Writing = writing in which the letters are for the most part joined together. 2. Hand
Lettering = refers to writing characterized by a disconnected style.

Three Classifications of Handwriting According to Degree of Proficiency in Execution 1.

Natural Writing = a specimen of writing that is executed normally and without any attempt of
altering its usual writing habit.
Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 4
Writing Habits = refers to any repeated elements or details which may serve to individualize
writing

2. 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

3. Guided/Assisted Writing = a specimen of writing executed while the writer’s hand is

steadied. Usually employed by beginners in writing.
Abrupt Change in Direction = signs of genuine guided writing
Good Pen control = signs of forgery in guided writing

Significant Writing Habits = elements of one’s writing that are sufficiently unique and well fixed
to serve as a strong basis of individuality.
Slant = refers to the degree of writing inclination relative to the baseline
Baseline = an imaginary or straight line in which the writing rests.

TYPES OF SLANT
1. Vertical 3. Right
2. Left 4. Varied

Ratio of Writing = refers to the relationship between short and tall letters Tall
Letters = are letters with upward and downward strokes on some projected parts
Short Letters = are letters written between the lines

TYPES OF RATIO
1. Normal Ratio = a type of ratio in which the size of short letters is half (1/2) the size of tall
letters
2. High Ratio = a type of ratio in which the size of short letters is three-fourth (3/4) the size of
tall letters
3. Low Ratio = a type of ratio in which the size of short letters is one-third (1/3) the size of tall
letters

Letter Spacing = refers to the amount of horizontal gap or space between letters.

Kinds of Spacing
1. Normal
2. Cropped-Up
3. Wide
4. Very Wide

Characteristics = refers to any property or mark which serves a distinguishing trait and in
questioned document examination it is commonly referred to as Identifying Details. = is what
makes a thing, a thing.

TWO TYPES OF HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS

1. Class or Style Characteristics = those derived from the general style to which the
handwriting conforms
= those characteristics or features that are taught to the child when he is starting to learn
the system of writing
2. Personal or Individual Characteristics = those that have been introduced into the
handwriting, whether consciously or unconsciously by the writer
= those which are highly personal or peculiar and are unlikely to occur in other instances
and they may also be acquired either by:
a. Hook to the right and hook to the left;
b. Shapes, positions, sizes and angles of I-dots and t-crossing;
c. Idiosyncrasies;
d. Bulbs and other distinctive initial and final pressure;
e. Embellishment, added strokes, and free movement endings;
f. abbreviation of letters;
g. Simple and compound curves;
Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 5
h. labored movements producing ragged lines;
i. Terminal shading and forceful endings;
j. Presence of and influence of foreign handwriting

Writing movement = refers to factors relative to the motion of the pen such as, pressure,
rhythm, pen lifting, and others.
Types of Writing Movements
1. Finger movement = is mostly employed in “vertical Writing” and mainly in the formation of
printed styles of writing. Letters are formed by the actions of the Thumb, Index and the Middle
Fingers. This is the movement employed by children, or generally by those with whom writing is
an unfamiliar process, it is otherwise called the Push and Pull Writing.

2. Hand Movement = it involves the action of the hand as a whole with fingers playing but a
mirror role (mainly in the formation of small letters) and the wrist is the pivotal of the lateral
movement.

3. Forearm (or Muscular Movement) = writing is produced by the movement of the hand and
arm and also fingers in some cases. The elbow is the pivotal of lateral movement. = it is usually
used by skillful writer
= it is the most skillful type of movement

4. Whole-Arm Movement = involves the action of the entire arm without rest and is employed in
very large writing.
Ornamental penmanship, blackboard writing and by a few writers making all the capital
letters are some of the writing where this movement is being employed.

ELEMENTS OF WRITING MOVEMENTS

1. Writing (Pen) Pressure = is the average force with which the pen comes in contact with the
paper or the usual force involved in the writing. This is one of the most personal but somewhat
hidden characteristics in writing.
2. Pen Emphasis = is the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper surface with
increased pressure or the periodic increase in pressure of the writing.
3. Rhythm = is the balanced quality of movement or the harmonious recurrence of strokes or
impulse. As an element of writing movements, rhythm accounts to be one of the very essential
for there is nothing in handwriting so difficult to imitate as the exact quality of a muscular rhythm.

4. Skill = refers to the relative degree of the writer’s proficiency. It cannot be accurately
measured although it can be grouped as to poor, average and good. Writing skill is independent
of many factors, manual dexterity being the most important. Its basis is either legibility or
symmetry.

Legibility = is the degree to which glyphs (individual characters) in writing are understandable
or recognizable based on appearance.

Symmetry = refers to the degree of proportion, balance, or harmony of the formation of strokes

5. Speed = cannot be measured precisely from the finished handwriting but it can be interpreted
in board terms as too slow and drawn, deliberate, average and rapid.

INDICATION OF RAPIDNESS IN WRITING

1. Smooth, unbroken strokes
2. Misplaced and misshaped "i" dots and "t" crosses
3. Joining of initial or of words
4. Letters tapered illegibly towards end of words
5. Mark difference in pressure contact and down strokes
6. Wide writings and Spacing
7. Simplification of letters especially in capitals
INDICATION OF SLOWNESS IN WRITING
1. Broken strokes, wavy lines.
Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 6
2. "i" dots and "t" crosses are made and placed perfectly.
3. Pauses, unnecessary marks and angles retouching.
4. Carefully made final spacing
5. Little difference in pressure on up and down strokes.
6. Ornamentals of flourishing letters.

6. Pen lift = interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing instrument from the paper.
Disconnection between letters and letter combination may be due to lack of movement control.
Using a ballpoint pen may cause pen lift due to failure of the ball to rotate.

Hiatus = a special form of pen-lift in which there is an obvious gap between letters

7. Shading = refers to the more obvious increase in the width of the letter strokes or the
widening of the ink strokes due to the added ink on the flexible pen point or the use of the stub
pen.
8. Pen Position (pen hold) = is the location of the pen in relation to the paper surface, which
can be determined by the presence of the emphasis or pen shading.
9. Pen Scope = represents the reach of the hand with the wrist at rest. It is the average scope
or limits of the pen during the process of writing with the wrist of the hand at still. 10. Retracing
or Retrace - is the stroke that normally goes back over another writing strokes; it is slightly to
occur in others handwriting.
11. 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.

Line Quality = is the visible record in the written stroke of the basic movement and manner of
holding the pen or writing instrument. It is derived from a combination of factors including writing
skill, speed, rhythm, freedom of movement shading and proportion.

ELEMENTS OF LETTER FORMS

1. ARC = the bend, crook, or curve on the inner side of the upper loop of such letters as c, h, m,
n, etc.
2. BEARD = The slight up and down introductory or sort of double hitch, seen at the beginning
of many capital letters.
3. Blunt = the beginning and ending strokes of letters, both small and capital, in which the pen
touches the paper without hesitation, beard, Hitch or knob.
4. Buckle Knot = the horizontal and looped strokes that are often used to complete such letters
as A, F, f, H and D.
5. Central Part or Body =the part of a letter ordinarily formed by a small circle that usually lies
on the line of writing, as the bodies of a, b, d, g, o, p.
6. Dactus Broken or Junction Broken = the disconnected and non-continuous stroke between
two letters.
7. Dactus Link or Junction Connected = The continuous line that joins two letters. 8. Eye
Loop or Eyelet = the small loop formed by strokes that extend in divergent directions as in b, c,
f, k, p. q, r, s, v, w, and z.
9. Foot = the base, or bottom of a letter that lies on the line of writing.
10. Hitch = the introductory backward stroke added to the beginning of many capital letters; it is
also occasionally found in some small letters.
11. Hook or Through = the bend, crook, or curve on the inner side of the bottom loop or curve
of small letters.
12. Initial Spur = The long initial rising stroke of a letter.
13. Hump = the rounded outer side of the top of the bend, crook, or curve in small letters such
as h, k, m, n.
14. Main stroke or Stem or Shank of Staff = the long upright downward stroke that is the trunk
or stalk, seen especially in B, F, K, P.
15. Knob = found either at the beginning or end of letters, both small and capital in which the
pen touched or left of the paper so slowly that a tiny pool of ink spread slightly. 16. Space Filler
or Terminal Spur = an upward horizontal or downward final stroke usually seen in small letters
such as a, s, u, y.
17. Whirl = the upward stroke, usually on letters that have a high loop such as h, d, and I. Notes

on Questioned Documents Examination 7

18. Diacritics = strokes added to complete certain letters. They are necessary to the legibility of
the letters.
19. Embellishments = added strokes that serve as an ornamental or flourish to the design of
the letters. They considered it unnecessary to the legibility of the writing.

Factors that Affects Writing characteristics

1. Natural Variations – is the usual or normal deviation found in a repeated specimen of an
individual’s handwriting or in the product of any typewriter.
2. Transitory Change – are meant to those changes which only continue to exist while the
basic cause of the deterioration is still affecting the writer, once the such cause has been
removed from the writer, the writing will revert to its normal form.
Factors that Affects Writing characteristics
3. Tremor – is the weakening of the strokes characterized by wavering or shaky
strokes. a. Genuine Tremor
a.1. Weakness of sickness
a.2 Old age
a.3. Illiteracy (lack of skills)
b. Tremor of Fraud
4. Writing Conditions – refers to all factors affecting the overall quality of writing such as the
writer’s condition under which the writing was prepared.
5. WRITING INSTRUMENT
1. BallPoint Pen (John Loud and Laszlo Biro) = consisting of a ball bearing at the point
of the pen. (difficult to examine/ easy to forged)
2. Fountain Pen (Lewis Waterman) = consisting of pen nib point. (Shows the true writing
characteristics/easy to examine/difficult to forge.
3. Fiber Pen (originally designed by Hongkong)

Signature = a name of a person signed by himself on a document as a sign of

acknowledgement.

Model signature = A genuine signature which was used in preparing simulated or traced
forgery.

Evidential Signature = specimen signature which was executed in particular date, particular
time and place, under a particular writer’s condition and for a particular purpose.

GENERAL TYPES OF SIGNATURE

1. Conventional Signature = signature in which letters or characters are readable
2. Highly Individualized = signature characterized by inter-widening strokes

CLASSES OF SIGNATURE
1. Formal or Complete = class of signature used in acknowledging important documents such
as will, checks, contracts and business papers.
2. Informal or Cursory = a class of signature for routinely executed documents or made for
personal correspondence.
3. Careless Scribble = Used for mail carrier, delivery of goods, purchase of equipment and an
autograph collector.

Forgery = refers to the act of simulating or copying or tracing somebody’s signature without the
permission of the latter, for profit.
= the act as falsifying and counterfeiting of treasury or bank notes, paper bills or any
instruments payable to the bearer or order.

MAJOR CLASSES OF FORGERY

1. Simple forgery = a forged signature where no attempt has been made to make a copy or
facsimile of the genuine writing of a person purported to sign the document. Also known as
Spurious Signature.
2. Simulated or Copied forgery = a forged signature which resembles the genuine signature
written in free-hand. Considered as the Most Skillful Form of Forgery.

Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 8

3. Traced Forgery = forged signature which closely resembles the genuine made by some
tracing process or outline form.

TRACING METHODS
1. Carbon Outline Process = tracing process made using carbon paper
2. Indention or Canal-Like Process = tracing process which requires the application of
considerable pressure
3. Projection or Transmitted Light Process = tracing process made with the used of light from
the back or bottom using transmitted light process
SEVEN CLASSES OF QUESTIONED SIGNATURES
1. Forged Signature where no attempt has been done to make a copy facsimile of the genuine
signature of the person purporting to sign the document. This is commonly referred to as Simple
Forgery.
2. Forged Signature of Fictitious person.
3. Forged signature that closely resembles the genuine signature since they have been
produced by a tracing process referred to as Traced Forgery.
4. Forged signature that resembles the genuine signature written in freehand also called as
Simulated or Copied Forgery.
5. Genuine signature which the writer honestly unwilling to accept as genuine.
6. Genuine signature obtained by trickery.
7. Genuine signature deliberately written illegibly or in an unusual manner to afford signatures
some plausible ground for disclaiming them should they deem it expedient. (Disguised
Signature)

PRIMARY SIGNS OF FORGERY

1. Slow broken strokes, way lines
2. Unnecessary retouching or patching
3. Lack of difference in pressure on up and down
4. Blunt starting and ending strokes
5. Meaningless markings and blots caused by a false start
6. Shading in more than one direction is caused by a false start by an effort to imitate line, which
by twisting the pen rather than varying the pressure or imitating pen hold.

CARE, HANDLING AND PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS

"DO's"
1. Keep documents unfolded in protective envelope
Transparent Plastic Envelope = most useful and effective protective covering of a disputed
document
2. Take disputed papers to the document examiners laboratory at the first opportunity. 3.
If storage is necessary, keep the document in a dry place away from excessive heat and
strong light.

“DON’T’s”
1. Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry them in a pocket for a long period
of time.
2. Do not mark disputed document (either by consciously writing or by pointing at them
by a writing instruments or dividers)
3. Do not mutilate or damage by repeated refolding, creasing, cutting, tearing or punching
or filing purposes.
4. Do not allow anyone except qualified specialists to make chemicals or do not treat
dust or latent fingerprints before consulting a document examiner.

The Equipment of a Document Laboratory

A. Hand Magnifier = Magnifying lens of 5 to 10X magnification (about 75% of questioned
document cases use it)
B. Microscope
1. Stereoscopic microscope - (three) tri-dimensional enlargement.(Length, Wide and
Height)

Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 9

2. Forensic Comparator Microscope = bring together two objects into the same field of
view so that they may easily be compared under the same degree of magnification.

C. Camera and Lens

1. S-L-R Camera and stand with direct lighting
Table lamps = lamps used to support photographing of documents.
2. Macro Lens or a Specialized Short Focus = used to enlarge image in certain
degrees.

D. Measuring Apparatus
1. Handwriting Measuring Test Plate
 1.1. Handwriting Slope Measuring Test Plates = designed to measure degree of
writing inclination
1.2. Handwriting Comparison Test Plate = designed to make a simultaneous
comparison of two specimen handwriting, showing their alignment, slant or scale
and proportions
2. Typewriting Measuring Test Plate = measuring instrument design to measure the
typeface pitch of a given typewriting as well as determining alignment, scale and
proportion of the type characters

SPECIAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT

A. The visible Light application
1. Direct Lighting
This type of light examination is generally applied for photographing purposes.
2. Oblique Lighting
This type of lighting process positioned the lamp at one side with the source of
illumination striking the surface of the paper at a very low angle
3. Side Lighting = the paper is held vertically and the light strikes the surface of the paper from
one side.

4. Transmitted light = it is done with the use of a transmitted light gadget. The illumination
comes from beneath the document

B. ARTIFICIAL LIGHT GADGET

1. The X-ray or Roentgen = rarely used in questioned document examination = it is an invisible
light with a wavelength between .01 to 30 millimicrons. It is produced by passing an electric
current through a special type of vacuum tube.
2. Ultraviolet Light = invisible light that has a wavelength ranging from 30 to 400 millimicrons or
nanometers designed to decipher fingerprints in multi colored background, altered documents
such as erasures, invisible writings, contact writings and water-soaked documents 3. Infra- red
rays = it is an invisible light with the longest wavelength among the photographic rays. It has a
wavelength that ranges from 700 to 1000 millimicrons.
= It has ability to go beyond the surface of the paper or other materials
= it is largely employed for detection of obliterated writings, Addition, interlineations or
insertion and charred documents.

SCIENTIFIC HANDWRITING EXAMINATION PROCESS

1. Analysis
a. Determine whether the date of execution of questions and known writing are
contemporary.

b. Determine the physical condition of the writer at the time of execution of questioned
and known writing.
c. Determine lowest and highest level of writing capability of the writer through the
questioned and known writing.
d. Also, determine separately whether questioned and standard writings were written by
one person and how identifiable (individualistic) are writings.
2. Comparison
a. General (system of writing) characteristics against individual features.

Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 10

b. Consistency or inconsistency of individual features, i.e. habitual, accidental, temporary
or rare.
c. whether writing is within the demonstrated capability of the writer.
d. whether the individual features are hidden characteristics or not.
e. Frequency or occurrence of a certain feature based on experience.
3. Evaluation
a. Degree of consistency with which it occurs throughout the specimens;
b. Degree of speed or spontaneity with which it was made;
c. Extent to which it deviates from the prescribed or copy book standards.
d. Frequency with which it is encountered in writings taken at random;
Degree of conspicuousness of the element in question and others of a more or less
complexity.
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS PROBLEMS
Decipherment = is the process of making clear of what is otherwise eligible or not clear to the
naked eye.
Restoration = is the process of bringing back what is otherwise efface or remove from the
document.
Efface = it refers to the act of rubbing out or erasing or removing something from the document.
Watermark = a translucent design in paper printed with the use of Dandy Roll. Fluorescence =
is the reflection of reaction made by material under exposure to ultraviolet light. Safety Paper =
it refers to a document which is treated in such a way as to minimize changes of forgery by
erasure. A good example of this type is a check that contains minute designs forming a pattern.

1. Detection of Alteration
Alteration = refers to any form of a change either an addition or a deletion to the original
content of the document which is not a part of its original preparation.

a. Erasure – refers to removal of a writings or any part of a document either by

mechanical or chemical process.

Types of Erasure
❑ Mechanical Erasure = done by means of abrasive method through rubbing or scraping. ❑
Chemical Erasure = done with the aid or use of bleaching agent called ink eradicator. Ink
Eradicator = substance capable of bleaching an ink stroke
❑ Usually examined with the transmitted light, oblique light and ultraviolet light
examination.

b. Addition = refers to any matter made a part of the document after the original preparation.
b.1. Insertion = is the addition of page or pages on the original document b.2. Interlineation =
refers to the insertion of sentence between the lines of a document
= it can be deciphered thru infra-red light examination

2. Decipherment of Obliterated writing

Obliteration = is the process of smearing over an original writing to make it
undecipherable or illegible. Done with the use of superimposing inks. Usually examined with
the use of Infra-red light.

3. Examination of Charred Document

Charred Document – refers to a partly burned or brittle document. Decipherment
is usually accomplished with the use of infra-red light examination.

4. 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 for development
depending on the ink used. Methods of development can be by heat. Water, chemical fuming or
by ultraviolet light process.

Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 11

5. Decipherment of Contact writing
Contact writing = refers to partially visible ink strokes caused by sudden contact
between a sheet of paper with another paper containing fresh ink. Can be enhanced through
fuming or ultraviolet light processes.

6. Decipherment of Indented writing

Indented writing = partial depressions appearing on a sheet of paper underneath the one
on which the visible writing appears
= it can be made visible using side, oblique or artificial lighting
7. Decipherment of Water-Soaked Document
= examination is through U.V. light

INKS
ANCIENT INKS
Pre-Christian era inks were mostly soot or carbon blacks dissolved in water with holding
solutions to attain desired fluidity
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.

FOUNTAIN PEN INKS

Fountain pen inks are supposed to be the best writing inks, quick drying, waterproof and
durable

INDELIBLE FLUIDS
These are used mostly when a penetrating marking is desired that will not be erased. It is
commonly used except for special reasons

Carbon Ink = oldest known ink.

Indian Rubber = oldest rubber eraser.
Copy Pencil = a combination of aniline Ink and Graphite.
Papyrus of Egypt = oldest paper

SEQUENCE OF WRITING
INK VS. INK
1. When the fist ink line is still moist, the crossing second line will 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 fist line is dry, the crossing line will darken the scored portion and will appear to be
overlapping or plowing the first line.

INK VS. LEAD

1. When pen and ink are used to cross some lead lines, the ink flowing from the pen will fully
cover the lead.
2. When a pen is used first and the pencil is used to cross some ink lines, the lead strokes
scoring the ink lines will appear on top of the ink when the ink is dried and will appear plowing
the ink line if it is not yet completely dried.

EXAMINATION OF TYPEWRITING
Definition of Terms:
1. Typeface = is the printing surface of the type block in a conventional typewriter. In an electric
typewriter it is the printing surface of the rotating head sphere.
2. Typeface defect = any form of peculiarity of the type printing caused by actual damage to the
typeface metal or which may be an abnormality in its printing condition.
3. Platen = the cylindrical backing of the typewriter which absorbs the blow of the type bar 4.
Characters = in connection to typewriting, it is used to include letters, symbols, numerals or
point of functions.
5.Pica typeface = type face impression ordinarily spaced ten (10) characters to the horizontal
pitch.
Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 12
5. Elite Typeface = type face impression ordinarily spaced twelve (12) characters to the
horizontal pitch.
6. Proportional Spacing Machine = a typewriter with a type letter spacing similar to the type
spacing of conventional printed in which all letters are allotted horizontally in conformity with their
relative widths.
7. Transitory Defects = is an identifying typewriter characteristic which can be eliminated by
simply cleaning the machine or replacing the ribbon.
8. Permanent Defects = any identifying typewriting characteristics of the typeface which cannot
be corrected by simply cleaning the machine or replacing the ribbon. 9. Mal Alignment or
Alignment Defects = refers to defect in the printing condition of the type character in which the
letters are printed either at the top or bottom, left or right of inclined from its proper position.

Principal Technique Utilized in Typewriting Identification

1.Measure the typeface pitch
2. Verify the type size and design (W-G-T)
3. Look for individual type face defects

Typeface Defects
1. Vertical Mal alignment = a character printing above or below of its proper position. 2.
Horizontal Mal alignment = an alignment defect in which the characters are printed to the left
or right of its proper position.
3. Twisted Letters = letters and characters are designed to be printed at a certain angle to the
baseline. Once letters lean to the left or right of its proper position such is called twisted letters.
4. Off-its-feet – is a condition of the typeface printing at which the character outline is not
equally printed, that is the printing is heavier on one side than the remainder of the outline of
the character.
5. Rebound – typeface defect in which a character prints a double impression with the lighter
one slightly off-set to the right or left.
6. Actual Breakage – any peculiarity of typewriting caused by actual damage to the typeface
metal.
7. Clogged Typeface (dirty) – is a typeface defect characterized by dirty prints due to constant
use without cleaning of the type bar or due to use of new carbon. These are common in closed
letter outlines such as o, a, p, g etc.

Notes on Questioned Documents Examination 13