QDE MODULE 8

Module 8 – Week 8
FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF ALTERATION
ALTERATION
-Any changes which give the document a different effect from that which is
originally possessed is termed as ALTERATION.
-As a legal term, alteration means an act purposely done on an
instrument by a party thereto or one beneficially interested therein which effects a
change in the sense or language of the instrument.
-It is distinguished from the spoliation of an instrument which is a change made
accidentally or unintentionally, or by one having no
beneficial interest in the instrument.
Fraudulent Alteration
-Changes are made after execution of a document and without the consent of the
other party.
KINDS OF ALTERATION
1. INTERLINEATIONS

4. ERASURE

OBLITERATION
-Obliteration is the process of writing over text with the intention of hiding or
destroying the original information. To obliterate means to blot out so as not be
readily or clearly readable.
-Obliteration may be either intentional or unintentional.
ERASURES
-Documents may be altered in an attempt to hide the original meaning or contents of
a documents.
Erasures can be divided into two basic groups:
1)PHYSICAL/MECHANICAL ERASURES
- Physical removal of writing, impressions or parts therefor may be
accomplished by the abrasion of the surface of paper with the help of
rubber erasures or sharp instruments such as razor, blades, scalper,
knife, etc.
2)CHEMICAL ERASURES
- Are those in which some chemicals are used to erase part of the
documents. The chemical applications are usually strong oxidizing
agents that conceal the ink by changing the properties of the colored
substance. These may include acids or alkali as oxalic acid,
potassium permanganate, ect.
INTENDED WRITING
Are impressions of the original made in the next sheet of paper in a
-
pad. These indentations or impressions may not be visible with the
unaided eye but can be viewed using an electrostatic detection
apparatus (EDSA). The EDSA works by creating an invisible
electrostatic image of indented writing, which is then visualized by the
application of charge-sensitive toners.
ELEMENT OF PROOF
1)Instrument executed on other form than that normally used for the type of instrument
it purports to be
2)Writing extending outside of boxes provided that therefore on form
3)Cramped or “squeezed” appearance of portions of writing
4)Misspelling of words common to both disputed and non-disputed portions in one
portion of the instrument and not in order
5)Peculiarities of composition which may identify portions of the instrument as the work
of particular persons
6)Handwriting characteristics tending to identify the writer or show documents to have
been written by more than one person
7)Inks of different types used on different portions of instrument
8)Variations in color, shading, sheen, and other characteristics of ink in different
portions of instrument
9)Writing done after paper folded
10)Use of blotter on some portions of the instruments and not on others 11)Sequence
of strokes in writing (may show certain words written before others) 12)Erasure marks
13)Residual of prior writing
14)Type characteristics identifying portions of writing as products of different makes or
models of machine
15)Type characteristics peculiar to a particular machine which identify product of
that machine
16)Variation in all alignment of a typewritten portion of instrument (may show removal
and replacement of paper in machine)
17)Opinions of persons familiar with handwriting of purported maker instrument or of
person suspected of altering it
18)Agreement between parties to instrument at variance with instrument as altered
19)Acts of parties inconsistent with belief in genuineness or validity of instrument
as
altered
20)Acts of parties consistent with belief in genuineness or validity of instrument as
originally executed

METHODS OF ALTERATIONS
1. ERASURE
a. Mechanical – rubbing off with rubber eraser or scraping off with sharp
instrument
b. Chemical – using ink eradicator or other bleaching solutions
2. Addition – word/figures
3. Substitution – on pages
4. Interlineations or intercalation – between lines
5. Superimposition – overwriting/ overlapping
6. Obliterations – masking, smeared – overwriting with black or opaque materials
7. Cancelations – to remove by cutting out or stamping lines across written matter
to signify its omission
POINTS TO CONSIDER IN ALTERATIONS
 All alterations must be countersigned alongside them
 Always require a counter – signature, not a mere counter initial
 The counter-signature must be in the same in form as the main signature
 The counter-signature must be examined/ verified separately from, and as
carefully as the main signature
 The three other parts of the checking posting media, the date, the payee, and
the amount in words and figures must be examined in chronological, systematic
matter
 Name: Date Performed:
Group No. Instructor:
Subject/Section: Grade:

EXPERIMENT NO. 6 ANONYMOUS WRITING

Simply means the anonymity or hidden identity of the author of a

document. “NAMELESSNESS” usually if brought about by fear of
rejection, reality, wickedness, betrayal and even vengeance.

OBJECTIVE

For students to analyze/understand reasons why people conceal their identity in their writings.
And experiment I coming up with their own anonymous letter and try for other students to identify
the identity of the writer.

CONCEPT

Anonymity/undisclosed/unknown are works where the creator’s identity is intentionally kept secret
for many reasons, it varies from fear one rejection, humiliation, or even protection of reputation and at
times evade legal implications. In cases involving non-identity people don’t want to be traced, tracked
and be recognized. Anonymity is also a technique, a way of realizing, that others value privacy even
liberty,

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT

1. Several clear bond paper

2. Pen, pencil, crayons, paints, lipstick
3. Cut out letters, pictures, magazines
4. paste, tapes (assorted)
5. pair of scissors

PROCEDURE
 1. Make use of the above materials in making your anonymous letter or a work of art
address to a specific individual or to readers. Make use how far your imagination
can bring you so people close to you may not discover your identity.

RESULT
CONCLUSION

QUESTIONS

1. Give at least 5 ways on how to cope with

receiving anonymous letters?

2. Given the chance give reasons why will you send

someone an anonymous letter/art?