Professional Documents
Culture Documents
QD Study Guide
QD Study Guide
QD Study Guide
INTRODUCTION
Document – is any material which contains marks, symbols or signs, either visible partially visible, that
may presently or ultimately convey a meaning or message to someone.
Questioned document – which some issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny.
Disputed document – suggest that there is an argument or controversy over the document, disputed is
always questioned document.
The examination of questioned document falls into two broad classes:
1. Criminalistics Examination – for detection of forgeries, alterations and obliterations.
2. Handwriting Examination/Identification – to find out who is the author of the writing.
1
Questioned Document Examination
6. Documents involving typewriting, and investigated or examined for purposes determining the
following:
a. Their source
b. Their date
c. Whether or not it contains fraudulent alterations or substituted pages.
7. Documents which may identify a person through handwritings (anonymous letter such as
extortion notes, letter of treat, ransom note)
8. Genuine documents erroneously or fraudulently attacked or disputed.
BRIEF HISTORY
(Historical Background)
From the earliest times, man has put down marks on different materials to make record or send
messages to other people. The first forms of writing were simple pictures on the walls of caves. Man
soon found he could not express all of his thoughts by means of pictures so systems of writing were
developed. Early writings were on stones and metal. Later skins of animals were used called as
parchment or vellum. The Origin of the word paper is ‘papyrus’, which was discovered by the Egyptian
more than 4,000 years ago. It is the early form of writing surface made from grasses called “reeds” Paper
was first invented by the Chinese more than 2,000 years ago from the bark of the mulberry tree but it
was not common in other countries for a long time. With the making of paper in 1150, writing became
more common to many people.
INK – another important aspect of document is the ink. MAN discovered and used ink long
before the Christian era.
Ancient writing inks were compounds of lampblack (carbon) and a gum or glue were mixed with water
● INDIA INK- virtually permanent because the carbon in the lampblack is chemically inert, not
bleared or not affected with sunlight.
● CHINA INK/ CHINESE- Made from soot, lampblack and glue and other ingredients
● IRON GALLO- TANNATE INK- Is made of gall tonic acid from the gall nuts obtained from oak trees
and iron sulfate Found in Asia Minor
● LOGWOOD INK-Potassium Chromate in saturated logwood -1850. Purple dark in color and turns
black on the paper and can be washed off chemically
● NIGROSINE/ANILINE- 1870, derived/made from a coal tar. With improved qualities are used as
fountain pen
● ALKALINE INK- made from alkaline solutions difficult to remove from paper composed of
different colors
● INDILIBLE INK-Surely used in paper because of its permanent heavy ink that penetrates the
paper and cannot be removed at all
● PRINTING INK- Are varnishes which contains pigments and consist of boiled moil with various
natural/synthetic resins.
● COPYING INK-Contains of glycerin or sugar
● STAMP PAD INK-Slow evaporating ink that dries in the paper, compound of coloring materials
that contain glycerol and glycols
2
Questioned Document Examination
● SECRET INK/ INVISIBLE INK-To write secret notes/codes. Early secret inks/writing fluids are urine,
milk and lemon juice
● SYNTHETIC INVISIBLE INK – chemical/ vegetable substances called sympathetic/cryptographic
inks cobalt, chloride, citric acid and lemon juice
● CANCELING INK- often contains carbon and this fact should be borne in mind when it is required
to decipher faint cancellation marks on postage stamps or wrappers.
● RECORD INK - considered as a high quality ink which contain between 0.5 to 0.6 percent of iron
with the minimum concentration of acid.
● FOUNTAIN PEN INK - a record ink which contains about half the normal concentration of iron
compounds, but an increased proportion of dyestuff.
● HECTOGRAPHIC INK - consists of a layer of either a gelatin glycerol mixture of special clay.
● LIQUID-LEAD PENCIL INK - is an ordinary ballpoint pen with a fluid containing finely carbon
substituted for the usual dyestuff containing.
Principal fluid writing inks in common use today:
a. Iron gallotannates such as the blue-blacks popularly advertised as “permanent”
b. Synthetic dye inks, such as the frequently observed aniline blues usually marketed as
“no-permanent”
c. Carbon blacks, including india and drawing or lettering inks.
Other inks:
1. Black ink – from nutgalls and a solution of some salt of iron and consists of gallate of
iron(indigo sulphate)
2. Blue ink-solution of Prussian blue and methylene blue with potassium ferric ferrocyanide
plus oxalic acid.
3. Red ink- from carmine (cochineal) and brazil wood with potassium cosin.
Alphabet
The first form of written communication which started as far as 20, 000 years ago was graphically
represented by arranged and drawings on the walls of the caves and big stones – ICONOGRAPHS (3500
BC) ------ represent things and sounds of those things
IDEOGRAPHIC SYSTEM-Combining pictures to represent the words of ideas example China- SUN and
TREE to represent the word for EAST. Until this symbols and forms which later developed into a system
by the Egyptian tribes – SUMMERIANS which produced a CUNIEFORM SYSTEM when the conquered
MESOPOTAMIA in 3200 B.C.
CUNIEFORM SYSTEM – means wedge-shaped. It was adopted by many semitic tribes and evolved into
different versions under the Acadians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Elamites, Hittites and Kassites.
Egyptian writing developed 3 different styles of symbol system:
1. HIEROGLYPHICS - characters in any system of writing in which symbols represents objects and
ideas Greek term “Sacred Carving” – on Egyptian movement. Ex.: tomb of Queen
Amonherkhepsef.
2. HIERATIC - There is pen/papyrus, employed simpler form to depict draw/portray the same figure.
It became the choice of business and private documents.
3. DEMOTIC- A highly cursive form of hieratic developed about 700 B.C. – used I Egypt.
3
Questioned Document Examination
PHOENICIANS
Are created with the spread of the first alphabet bet from 1, 200 to 900 BC
Adaptation of Greek Letters
MINUSCULES – a Greek new form of handwritten design emerged in the 7th and 8th century AD-it is a
small letters in the alphabet.
ETRUSCAN First latin alphabet consist of 21 greek letters (alphabet in Northern Italy which combined
Semitic and Greek letters) in the first century BC two more Greek symbols were added Y, Z and other
latin letter, U, W , J – total of 26 letters
ROMANS developed the alphabet through centuries until the creation of small letters and the capital
everyday writing in private and business dealings there is Hebrew alphabet, Cyrillic alphabet, Arabic
Alphabet – comes from the Greek letters “ALPHA” – beginning or first letter of Greek alphabet and BETA
is second alphabet of Greek alphabet.
4
Questioned Document Examination
5
Questioned Document Examination
● Any number of accurate reproductions of the documents could be made through photographs,
thus affording unlimited opportunity for study, comparison and evaluation by a number of
examiners that would not be possible by using the documents alone.
● Photographs can be cut apart as maybe desirable and the various part classified for comparison.
● Photographs are also useful in showing delicate discoloration due to chemical erasures or other
fraudulent changes, which may otherwise be overlooked, denied or misinterpreted.
● Erasures by abrasion made by an ordinary rubber eraser can sometimes by shown very clearly
and recorded in permanent from by a photograph taken with the paper placed obliquely to the
plane of the lens and plate inclined at just the right angle of reflection so as to show differences
in the reflected light from different portions of paper surface.
● Transmitted light photography is useful in the examination of watermarks, determining the
identity or the difference in papers by showing arrangement of the fibers and the markings of
the wire gauge and dandy roll, showing continuity of strokes, determining retouching or patching
of a writing by showing clearly the presence of added ink film and the uneven distribution of ink
in interrupted strokes.
● Stereographic photomicrograph shows condition of writing in three dimensional enlargements
and is useful in showing sequences of cross lines or showing writing across a fold preceded or
followed by the folding of a paper.
Agraphia- one loses the ability to write although he could still grasp a writing instrument. Thus the ability
or power to hold a pen or pencil to form symbols and words can be said to emanate from this cortical
center.
● Writing- is the result of a very complicated series of acts, being as a whole a combination of certain
forms, which are the very visible result of mental and muscular habits, acquired by long, continued,
painstaking effort.
● Handwriting – is visible effect of bodily movement which is on almost unconscious expressions of
certain ideas associated with script form.
● System of writing- is the combination of basic design of letters and writing movements as taught in
school.
● Natural writing- is any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt to control or alters
its identifying habits and its usual quality of execution.
● Disguised writing- is a way of writing in which the writer deliberately tries to alters his usual writing
habits in the hope of hiding his identity.
● Writing habit- is any repeated element or detail that may serve to individualize writing.
6
Questioned Document Examination
● Significant writing habit- is term applied to any characteristic of handwriting which is sufficiently
unique and well-fixed to serve as a fundamental point in the identification of the writer.
DEVELOPMENT OF HANDWRITING
FIRST STEP- begins to learn the art of handwriting through drawing. – Imitations
SECOND STEP- the focus of attention is centered on the execution of each letter
THIRD STEP- more or less automatic – attain maturity in writing- which modified by education, training,
personal taste, artistic ability.
Individuality of handwriting
How does one person acquire individuality of handwriting? The following factors may be considered.
1. The influence of writing system- formal handwriting instruction is given in schools.
2. Constant compulsion to write – the young writer, who is forced to write daily lessons and tasks, rarely
aims at writing excellence, but succumbs to a personal legibility which will finally become his individual
handwriting and his alone.
3. Personal legibility- continued handwriting usage in one’s daily pursuits develops maturity in each
writer’s personal characteristics which is the trademark the aggregate identifier of his handwriting.
4. writing maturity- about the time the average writer graduates from high school, his writing
individualities have stabilized in a considerable extent, taking into account his/her training, personal and
occupational experiences. This development earmarks each writer through life.
Kinds of movement
1. Finger movement- using the thumb, the first and slightly the third fingers that are in actual
motion. It is one employed children and illiterates.
2. Hand movement or wrist movement- actions come from the wrist with the combination of
fingers. The wrist is the center of action, but with some action of the fingers. Results of this kind
may show regularity of lines and considerable speed.
3. Whole arm movement- actual movement of the shoulder, hand and arm with the support of the
table. The center of the action is the elbow. The result of this kind of movement are; artistic
design, and similar to blackboard writing.
4. Forearm movement- writing using the forearm, letters is formed due to the action of the elbow,
forearm resting on the writing surface. Results of this kind of movement are clear cut, fine
quality regular gradations of heavy and light pressure.
7
Questioned Document Examination
Distinctive features
1. Slope or slant- is the angle or inclination of the axis of letters relative to the baseline.
2. Size of handwriting- means the relative size of the letters and length of ascending stroke in
relation to the size of another letter. The proportion of height to the width of letters, the height
of initial letter in proportion to the other or the height and length of the ending letter in
proportion to the initial one may signify habit of writing.
3. Ratio- the relation between the tall and short letters
4. DIVIDED TWO GROUPS:
a. SHORT – letters written entirely between the lines are referred to as a, c, e, l, m, n, r, s, u,
v, w, and x
b. TALL – letters with upper/lower loops or other projected portions will be classed. b, d, f,
g, h, j, I, p, t, y, z
5. Connecting strokes- this refers to the strokes of links that connects a letter with the one
following.
6. Connecting Strokes can be classified by:
1. circular
2. oblong/elliptical
3. angular
7. Hesitation- is the irregular thickening of the ink line when the writing slow down or stops while
the writer takes stock of the position.
8. Lateral spacing- in defining spacing, it should be observed from three point of view
a. The space between the letters
b. Space between words and words
c. Space between lines and lines.
9. Line quality- refers to the features of the lines and curve of the handwriting. Line quality can be
either good or poor.
10. Speed in writing- writing is executed fast or rapid, slow or drawn, deliberate or average.
a. Slow- heavy pressure, pen lifts, blunt initial and terminal strokes
b. Very rapid- sloping direction, strokes have short path from start to finish.
c. The greater shaded strokes generally reduce degree of speed.
11. Pen pressure- maybe defined as a weight of the hand or muscles on the pen during the act of
writing.
12. Baseline – an imaginary line where the letters are supposed to be aligned; the rules or imaginary
line upon which the writing rests.
13. Shading- it is said to be the difference between the thickest and the finest or thinnest strokes.
14. Alignment- indicates that line of writing in relation with the arrangement of letters and words.
Alignment maybe straight, irregular, sloping upward or sloping downward.
15. Rhythm- defined as the flowing succession of motion, stresses or impulses in handwriting.
16. Arrangement- is called the relation of the letters and characters with each other. This system of
arranging the word, sentences and paragraphs become so unconscious and automatic that it
serves to identify the writing of particular persons.
17. Tremor-is defined as a writing weakness portrayed by irregular, shaky strokes.
8
Questioned Document Examination
Kinds of Tremors:
1. Genuine tremor such as: of age, illiteracy ad weakness
– showing too many or few tremors, wrong portions of the litters, depends by the momentum of the
hand, otherwise “natural”. Through weakness: shows unusual and erratic movements. Illiteracy shows
lack of skill and a mental uncertainly so to the form general clumsiness due to unfamiliarity with the
whole writing process . Old age – indicate lack of muscular control, does not show fine, rough strokes .
2. Tremor of fraud – actually drown/imitated Show hesitation at the placer and tremor wrongly
placed.
18. Natural variation- this may refer to deviations or changes found between repeated specimens of
any individual handwriting.
HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTIC
is any property/ mark which distinguishes and in questioned document examination, commonly refers to
identifying details.
9
Questioned Document Examination
STANDARD DOCUMENTS
In questioned document investigation refers to those things whose origin are known and can be proven
and which can be legally used as samples to compare with other matters in questioned.
Classification of standard documents:
1. Procured or collected standard – those which can be obtained from files of document executed in
the course of a person’s day to day business, official, social or personal activities.
2. Requested standard – those which are given or made upon the request of an investigator for
purposes of making a comparative examination with the questioned writing.
10
Questioned Document Examination
● The selection should comprise those writings known to be genuine and made under favorable
conditions and in a natural manner (proof of genuineness).
● Kinds of instrument and paper used might influence or affect writing.
● That there are evidence showing that the subject writer had written such standards in his
business transactions or other concerns.
Proper standards are writing of a suspect or known author which are legally obtained. These are
normal or natural handwriting specimens written before and after and nearest the date of the
appearance.
In order to test the genuineness of standards, the document examiner must not forget to
observe the following:
11
Questioned Document Examination
● That such standard was admitted by the person charged with the authorship of the disputed
writing and such admission are done at the trial in his testimony or for the purpose of the
trial.
● The witnesses are available who could testify that they saw the author write and or
acknowledge the writing thereof.
● That there are evidence showing that the subject writer had written such standards in his
business transactions or other concerns.
12
Questioned Document Examination
DIFFERENCES- characteristics of a certain writing that diverge from those of another writing in such
a manner and degree that the differences cannot be reasonable explained or accounted for by any
unusual conditions of the writer or those surrounding him; these differences are more than the
trivial or usual variations normally found in any writing.
VARIATION- variation in the writing of a person is partial changes, alterations, departures and
modifications in the normal formation of the alphabetical characters. These variations in any
genuine writing are peculiarities in letter formation resulting directly from force or habit or some
definite cause at the time of writing.
13
Questioned Document Examination
Documents being disputed should be handled and cared for in a manner that will not impair
their value as frequently happens that either through carelessness or ignorance the evidential value of
an important document is seriously impaired and important interest are thus imperiled.
As early as possible the exact physical conditions of every part of a suspected document should
be carefully observed and made a matter of definite written record thereafter it should be preserved, as
far as possible in exactly the same condition it is in when first suspected. It is advisable that a plastic
container or covering should be provided.
IDENTIFICATION OF SIGNATURES
Identification of signatures
The identification of a signature is based on the combination of the two personal attributes of letter
form and line quality.
Note: no two specimens of a person’s signature are absolutely identical. The signatures normally vary
from each other in some details and the degree with which vary from each other depends on the
individual writer and the condition under which was written. As pointed out in “standard of comparison”
it is because of normal variation in signature that several signatures should be used to identify the one in
questioned.
14
Questioned Document Examination
● Firmness of strokes- in genuine signatures, hesitations and stops are on natural places
● Habitual speed of writing- even in slow and unskillful signatures, there will be consistency in
speed.
● Fundamental muscular movement- in genuine signatures, the upward strokes show more
smoothness and freedom than the downward strokes
● Pattern of shading and pen emphasis
● Presence of natural variation- as no two signatures are exactly alike, a certain amount of natural
variation is expected and consequently allowed for letter design.
● Coordination, continuity and rhythm in writing
● Carelessness in stroke and movement.
Forgery is committed by any person who, with intent to defraud, signed the name of another person,
or of a fictitious person, knowing that he has no authority to do so, or falsely makes, alters, forges, or
counterfeits any check, draft and due-bills for the payment of money or property, or counterfeits or
forges the seal or handwriting of another knowing the same to be fake, altered, or forged or counterfeit
with intent to prejudice, damage or defraud any person.
A forge signature is the signature of another person, or of a fictitious person, written by a person
who has no authority to do so, with intent to defraud.
The forger produces fraudulent signatures, from the elementary process of merely writing the
name without attempt at making a close resemblance of the genuine signature to the more complicated
process of simulated on or tracing in an effort to produce a close facsimile of the genuine signature.
KINDS OF FORGERY:
1. SIMPLE FORGERY
This kind of forgery is best termed as a “ spurious signature”. In committing fraud, the forger
who is confronted with the absence to produce a facsimile of the genuine, but merely signs the name in
his own, or in a modified (disguised) Handwriting, and then contrives some means of passing the
document as his own with intent to gain before the obvious fraud is discovered. This is commonly
employed by the check-chief who steals, endorses and passes government, corporation, or other checks,
or who procures printed check forms, completes and endorses them with fictitious signatures in order to
pass them off as genuine.
2. SIMULATED FORGERY
As previously stated, genuine signature, especially done by a good writer, exhibit fluency and
smoothness of strokes. In simulated or traced forgeries, the motion of the pen is slow and careful. The
beginning and ending lines are usually blunt or clumsy in appearance.
3. TRACED FORGERY
A traced forgery is the result of an attempt to transfer to a fraudulent document an exact
facsimile of a genuine signature or writing by some tracing process. It is any fraudulent signature
executed by actually following the outline of a genuine signature with a writing.
15
Questioned Document Examination
A carbon paper is placed between the genuine signature (top sheet) and the fraudulent document
(below). Outline of model signature is traced with dry pen or pointed instrument to make a carbon
offset on the lower sheet. Outline is finally rewritten or retraced with suitable ink strokes.
Indentation process
An intended or canal-like outline of the genuine signature is produced in the fraudulent document by
tracing (with suitable pressure or force) the outline of the genuine signature with a pointed instrument.
The outline is then directly inked in some instances. The outline is first retraced lightly with a pencil
before it is finally retraced with suitable ink.
Projection process or transmitted-light process
A spurious document is placed immediately over the genuine signature, with strong light directed
through the two sheets of paper from below or behind. The outline that is seen through the upper sheet
is then traced.
4. OPTICAL FORGERY - Simply known as “cut and paste” forgery, this is done either by:
Photoshopping through the use of any other graphic editing program.
Copy paste, by taking a genuine signature, placing and pasting it in a document over the printed
name of the intented victim, have the documents photocopied or scanned and made it appear as copy of
the original.
5. ELECTRONIC AND DIGITAL FORGERY - This is so-called counterfeit reality where documents, images,
videos, sounds and any kind of representation that appear to be convincingly realistic illustration of such
representation, electronically or digitally created, that is inexistent or is not exactly as represented.
ALTERATION
Alteration-changes or alteration, which usually affect the original meaning of a document, are made
either at the stage of preparation and are already part of the document when it is “signed, sealed and
witnessed”, or fraudulently after its execution.
Note: “an obvious, necessary change in a document often is evidence not of fraud, but of
genuineness. “
“A delicate and partly conceal change may be very suspicious.”
Alterations are made in any of the following means:
a. Erasure
i. Mechanical –rubbing off with rubber erasure or scrapping off with sharp
instrument.
ii. Chemical –ink eradicator or other bleaching solutions.
b. Addition- new pages of writing, typewriting or printing may be inserted.
c. Substitution- when an entire page has been remove from an instrument and has been
replaced by another piece containing matters different from those of the remove page.
d. Interlineation or intercalation (insert between the line)- writing between the lines of an
instrument for the purpose of adding a part to it or correcting what has been written.
16
Questioned Document Examination
TYPEWRITING EXAMINATION
Some important dates:
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, and English Engineer.
1827 – the first United States patent for a mechanical writing machine was issued to William, A. Burt of
Detriot Michigan.
1867 - Christopher Lathan Sholes developed the Sholes glided and sole typewriter patented on June 23,
1568 it mechanically the upper cased letter for the alphabet into a piece of paper. It may be viewed at
the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.
1868 – 3 American inventors: CHRISTOPHER LATHAM SHOLES, CARLOS GLIDDEN and SAMUEL SOULE -
they invented a machine until in 1873 they were contracted with E. REMINGTON 8 SONS OF NEW YORK –
manufacturers of rifles and sewing machine – to produce their typewriter -> “BLIND WRITING MACHINE”
1874 - the Remington TYPEWRITER model No. 1 and followed by Remington model No. 2 (1878).
1892 - the first visible writing machine was invented by the U.S which was introduced by the
“Underwood COMPANY” ROYAL & WOODSTOCK.
Typeface Defects - refers to any peculiarity of typewriting caused by actual damage to the typeface
metal. Type face refers to the printing surface of the type block.
● Defect – is used to describe any maladjusted or abnormality in a typewriter which is reflected in
its work and which leads to its identification and individualization.
17
Questioned Document Examination
SERIF – a light line/minute line or stroke erasing or projecting from the end of a main line or stroke in a
letter.
TYPE WRITER – keyboard machine for producing characters, letters, numbers, etc.
18
Questioned Document Examination
Forgers – were punished by Kings by corporal punishments – hanging, burning … even in U.S. there is a
currency printed by
Benjamin Franklin after bore the phrase “to counterfeit is death” - one who had the skill to counterfeit
currency was considered a threat to the safety of the state, had be eliminated.
Counterfeit – to make a copy of without authority for fraudulent purposes – to forge/ to imitate
-to carry on deception
COUNTERFIETING – is probably as old as money itself before the paper money was introduced,
counterfeiting was done by way of mixing base metals – supposed pure gold/silver.
Clipping – the process to which individual should “shave” the edges of a coin so that it weighed less than
it was supposed to
this not counterfeiting but the precious metals clippings use to make counterfeits
fourree – ancient type of counterfeit coin, in which a base metal core has been plated with a precious
metal to look like its solid metal counterpart
Definition of counterfeiting
A counterfeit is something made to imitate the real thing. It is an imitation that is usually
made with the intent to deceptively represent content or origin.
The word is usually applied to a form of forgery involving money. The right to make coins
and print paper money is limited by law to governments. Respective nations cannot make the coins of
their own but also the making of coins or paper money of other governments.
The word counterfeit most frequently describes forged currency or documents, but can
also describe clothing, software, pharmaceuticals, watches, or, more recently, cars and motorcycles,
watches, or, more recently, cars and motorcycles, especially when this results in patent in fringement or
trademark infringement.
19
Questioned Document Examination
Small seafaring communities existed throughout the Philippine Archipelago for at least
2000 years before the arrival of the Spaniards. The early Filipinos traded with neighboring countries, and
the chief means of trading was barter. Chinese merchants brought in porcelain, silk and metalware in
exchange for gold, pearls, beeswax and medicinal plants. Gold barter rings and piloncitos, the first
recognized form of coinage in the country, were also used as medium of exchange.
SPANISH ERA
The Gallon Trade started during the colonization of the Philippines in 1565 and lasted for
250 years. It was responsible for transforming Manila into a trade center for oriental goods that were
brought across the Pacific in exchange for odd-shaped silver coins called cobs or macuquinas. Other
coins that followed were the dos mundos or pillar dollars in silver, also in silver.
In the 18th century, the Royalty of Spain authorized the production of copper coins by the
Ayuntamiento or Municipality of fractional coins. These were called barrillas, and first appeared in 1728.
The first banknotes called pesos fuertes were issued in 1852. In 1861, the Casa de Moneda de Manila
minted the first gold coins with the worl “Filipinas” inscribed. These were called Isabelinas and later
Alfonsinos.
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
The Cry of Balintawak led by Andres Bonifacio signaled the start of the Philippine
Revolution on 23 August 1896. After the proclamation of General Emilio Aguinaldo as President of the
First Philippine Republic, two types of 2-centavo copper coins were struck in the army arsenal of
Malolos. Because their mintage was so few, they are considered extremely rare. Paper notes were also
issued, but the circulation was limited because the government was short-lived.
AMERICAN REGIME
When the Americans took over the Philippines in 1901, the US Congress passed the
Philippine Coinage Act, which authorized the mintage of silver coins from 1903 to 1912. Silver
Certificates were issued until 1918. These were replaced with Treasury Certificates that circulated until
1935. To save on cost of minting silver coins, the Manila Mint was reopened in 1920. It produced coins
until the Commonwealth Period.
JAPANESE PERIOD
During the Japanese Occupation (1941-1944), two kinds of notes circulated – the Japanese
Invasion Money issued by the Japanese Government, and the Guerrilla Notes or Resistance Currencies
issued by Filipinos guerrillas.
REPUBLIC PERIOD
Republic Act No. 265 created the Central Bank of the Philippines on 3 January 1949,
which was vested with the power of administering the banking and credit system of the country. The
Central Bank initially issued the Victory notes with the overprint “Central Bank of the Philippines” in
1949. In 1951, it issued its first official banknotes, the English series. This was followed by the Pilipino
series in 1967, the Ang Bagong Lipunan series in 1973, and the New design series in 1985.
The Central Bank issued coins of the English series in 1959, followed by the Pilipino series in
1967, and the Ang Bagong Lipunan series 1975. It introduced the Flora and Fauna series in 1983. All of
the series were demonetized in 1997.
20
Questioned Document Examination
On the July 1993, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP series) was created pursuant to Republic Act No.
7653, establishing an independent central monetary authority. The new logo of Bangko Sentral was
carried in both its banknotes and coins in 1995.
Level III: The hidden or covert security features reserved for the use of the Bangko Sentral.
Level IV: Forensic security features for the use of law enforcers in testifying whether a banknote is
genuine or counterfeit. These are detectable at specialized laboratories.
The publication goes further to detail Level I security features for public knowledge. Some of the Level II
security features can be seen, but Levels III and IV are not for public use.
Level I: Security features which can be easily recognized by the public without the use of special
instrument. These are the “look,” “feel,” and “tilt” elements in the notes, enumerated below.
1. Embossed prints: The embossed or raised print nature of the ink deposition combined with the quality
of cotton-based paper gives the traditional banknote a unique tactile effect that makes it the first and the
most important line of defense against counterfeiting. This can be felt over the words “REPUBLIKA NG
PILIPINAS,” denominational value in text, signatures, and value panels particularly, the one located at the
lower right corner of the obverse.
2. Asymmetric Serial Number: Alphanumeric characters at the lower left and upper right corners of the
note bearing one or two prefix letters and six to seven digits, with font increasing in size and thickness.
3. Security Fibers: Visible red and blue fibers embedded on the paper and randomly scattered on the face
and back of the note.
4. Watermark: Shadow image of the portrait with the highlighted denominational value that is
particularly seen against the light from either side of the blank space on the note.
5. See-Through Mark: The pre-Hispanic script (Baybayin) at the lower right corner of the face of the note
slightly above the value panel. This is seen in complete form only when the note is viewed against the
light. This script means “PILIPINO.”
21
Questioned Document Examination
6. Concealed Value: The denominational value superimposed at the smaller version portrait at the upper
left portion of the note. This becomes clearly visible when the note is rotated 45 degrees and slightly
tilted.
7. Security Thread (Embedded or Windowed): Embedded thread that runs vertically across the width of
20- and 50- piso notes when viewed against the light. Also, the stitch-like metallic thread on the 100-,
200-, 500- and 1000-piso notes which changes color from red to green and bears the cleartext of “BSP”
and the denominational value on the obverse and “BSP” on the reverse, both in repeated series.
8. Optically Variable Device (OVD) Patch: Found only in 500- and 1000-piso notes, this patch is a reflective
foil, bearing the image of the Blue-naped parrot for 500-piso/clam with South Sea pearl for 1000-piso,
changes color from red to green when the note is rotated 90 degrees.
*Incorporated on the OVD patch is a logo of BSP that also changes color when viewed from different
angles, the denomination at the upper right and bottom center, the text BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS
on the upper left of the oval, and a micro print right below the clam or parrot.
9. Optically Variable Ink (OVI): Found only in the 1000-piso note, this embossed denominational value at
the lower right corner of the face of the note changes color from green to blue when viewed at different
angles.
REFERENCES:
22
Questioned Document Examination
23
Questioned Document Examination
24