QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

EXAMINATION
 Definition of term

LEGAL BASIS OF
LEGAL ASPECT DOCUMENTS
OF DOCUMENTS KINDS OF
DOCUMENT

Note 1
WRITINGS WHICH DO NOT
CONSTITUTE DOCUMENTS

CLASSES OF QUESTIONED
DOCUMENTS
What is
Document

According to Microsoft Encarta Reference

Library (as a noun):
1. formal piece of writing
2. object containing information
3. computer file
Document /Legal term

DOCUMENT. Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs either visible, partially visible
that may present or ultimately convey a meaning to someone, maybe in the form of pencil,
ink writing, typewriting, or printing on paper
It is any written statement by which a right is established or an obligation
extinguished. (People vs. Moreno, C.A., 38 O.G. 119.
Document / Technical meaning

The term “document” applies to writings; to words printed, lithographed, or photographed; to maps or plans;
to seals, plates, or even stones on which inscriptions are cut or engraved. In its plural form, “documents”
may mean; deeds, agreements, title, letters, receipts, and other written instruments used to prove a fact.

It Is any Material on which a permanent or semi-permanent message can be placed. Although

most document consist of paper containing handwriting, typewritten material, printed matter, or a
combination, massages can be left on walls, mirrors, blackboards, or locker doors
LEGAL BASIS OF DOCUMENTS:

1. In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA, 338 O.G.  119: any written document by which a
right is established or an obligation is extinguished.
2. In the case of People vs. Nillosquin, CA, 48 O.G. 4453: every deed or instrument
executed by person by which some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or
setforth.
3. In relation to Criminal Jurisprudence under the Best Evidence rule: any physical
embodiment of information or ideas; e.g. a letter, a contract, a receipt, a book of account,
a blur print, or an X-ray plate (Black’s Law Dictionary).
WRITINGS WHICH DO NOT CONSTITUTE
DOCUMENTS
based on some Supreme Court Rulings.

1. A draft of a Municipal payroll which is not yet approved by the proper authority

(People vs. Camacho, 44 Phil. 484).
2. Mere blank forms of official documents, the spaces of which are not filled up
(People vs. Santiago, CA, 48 O.G. 4558).
3. Pamphlets or books which do not evidence any disposition or agreement are not
documents but are mere merchandise (People vs. Agnis, 47 Phil. 945).
Two Categories of Document

QUESTIONED STANDARD
DOCUMENT DOCUMENT
What is Question Document

QUESTIONED. Any material which some issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny.
QUESTIONED DOCUMENT. One in which the facts appearing therein may not be true, and are contested either in
whole or part with respect to its authen­ticity, identity, or origin. It may be a deed, contract, will, election ballots, marriage
contract, check, visas, application form, check writer, certificates, etc.
Or It refers to document in which an issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny

DISPUTED DOCUMENT. A term suggesting that there is an argument or controversy over the document, and strictly
speaking this is true meaning. In this text, as well as through prior usage, however, “disputed document” and
“questioned document” are used interchangeably to signify a document that is under special scrutiny.
What is the Focal point of examination in
Q.D

The focal point of the examination and to which the document

examiner relies as to the extent of the problem. (also referred to as
disputed document).
What is Standard Document

Document in which the origin is known can be proven and can legally be used as sample to compare with
other things is questioned.
Are condensed and  compact  set  of authentic specimens which, if adequate and proper, should contain  a  cross  section  of  the
 material  from a known source.
"Standard" in questioned documents  investigation,  we mean those things whose origins are known and  can be  proven  and  which
can be legally used  as examples  to compare with other matters in question. Usually a  standard consist  of the  known handwriting of
a person  such  case, "standard"  has  the same meaning as is  understood  by  the word "specimen" of handwriting.
EXEMPLAR. A term used by some document examiners and attorneys to characterize known material. Standard is the older term.
 Collected/Procured Std. – Standard
specimen executed in the regular
course of man’s activity or that
which are executed on the day to
day writing activity.
Types of
Standards Requested/Dictated (Post litel
motam std.) – a Standard document
which are executed upon request,
they are prepare at one time.
KINDS OF
DOCUMENT:
PUBLIC DOCUMENT

PUBLIC DOCUMENT - notarized by a notary

 public or  competent public official with
solemnities required  by law.(Cacnio vs. Baens,
5 Phil. 742)
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

- issued by the government or its agents or its officers having the authority to do so
and the offices, which in accordance with their creation, they are authorized to issue
and be issued in the performance of their duties.
PRIVATE DOCUMENT

-executed by a private  person without the intervention of a notary  public or  of  any
person legally authorized, by which documents, some  disposition or agreement is
proved, evidenced  or  set forth (US vs Orera, 11 Phil. 596).
COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT

executed in accordance with the Code of Commerce or any Mercantile Law, containing
disposition of commercial rights or obligations.
Classes of Questioned Documents:
Document with questioned Signature
(most common).

A kind od disputed document which usually encounter by the document examiner

due to importance of signature in any transaction
Document containing alleged fraudulent
alteration.

A type of questioned document which does contains changes on the original content
of the document itself it has a variety of classes
Holograph Document (Document completely
written and signed by one person).

A document which is completely written prepared and signed by the writer himself
without the assistance of any person
Document questioned as their age or date

Document questioned pertaining to the date of preparation of documents

Document questioned as to the material
used in their production

Generally most of the public document are the one being subjected to this kind
controversy.
Document involving type writing

Typewritten document can be questioned based on its source, date or contents

whether they were executed on the same ate or same typewriter or same or different
occasion or if the type writing does not contain any insertion or addition
Note 2

FORMS/ASPECTS
REASON FOR DIVISIONS OF
(SUBJECTS) OF
QUESTIONED QUESTIONED
Definition of term QUESTIONED
DOCUMENT DOCUMENT
DOCUMENT
EXAMINATION EXAMINATION
EXAMINATION

THE LOGICAL
DOCUMENT PROGRESS OF PRELIMINARY
EXAMINATION (In INQUIRY IN EXAMINATION OF
General) DOCUMENT DOCUMENTS
EXAMINATION
DOCUMENT AND
QUESTIONED
DOCUMENT
EXAMINATION
 Definition of Term

ADDITION - Any matter made a part of the document after its original preparation may be referred to as
addition.

CONCLUSION - A scientific conclusion results form relating observed facts by logical, common-sense

reasoning in accordance with established rules or laws. The document examiner's conclusion, in legal term is
referred to as "opinion".

DOCUMENT EXAMINER. One who studies scientifically the details and elements of documents in order
to identify their source or to discover other facts concerning them. Document examiners are often referred
to as handwriting identification experts, but today the work has outgrown this latter title and involves other
problems than merely the examination of handwriting.
 ERASURE - The removal of writings, typewriting or printing, from a
document is an erasure. It maybe accomplished by either of two means. A
chemical eradication in which the writing is removed or bleached by
chemical agents (e.g. liquid ink eradicator); and an abrasive erasure is
where the writing is effaced by rubbing with a rubber eraser or scratching
out with a knife or other sharp with implement.

Definition of EXAMINATION - It is the act of making a close and critical study of

any material and with questioned documents, it is the process necessary to
discover the facts about them.  Various types are undertaken, including

Term
microscopic, visual photographic, chemical, ultra violet and infra-red
examination.

EXPERT WITNESS. A legal term used to describe a witness who by

reason of his special training or experience is permitted to express an
opinion regarding the issue, or a certain aspect of the issue, which is
involved in a court action. His purpose is to interpret technical
information in his particular specialty in order to assist the court in
administering justice. The document examiner testifies in court as an
expert witness.
 INSERTION  OR  INTERLINEATION  -  The  term  "insertion"  and
"interlineations"  include the addition of writing and  other material
 between  lines or paragraphs or  the  addition  of whole page to a
document.

NON-IDENTITIFICATION (Non-identity) – as used in this text it

means that the source or authorship of the compared questioned and
standard specimens is different.

Definition of OBLITERATION - the blotting out or shearing over the writing to make

the original invisible to as an addition.

term OPINION. In legal language, it refers to the document Examiner's conclu­

sion. Actually in Court, he not only expresses an opinion but
demonstrates the reasons for arriving at his opinion. Throughout this
text, opinion and conclusion are used synonymously.

QUALIFICATION. The professional experience, education, and ability

of a document examiner. Before he is permitted to testify as an expert
witness, the court must rule that he is qualified in his field.
REASON FOR QUESTIONED DOCUMENT
EXAMINATION

Generally, examination of questioned documents is restricted to “Scientific Comparison”

which means that determination of authenticity, genuineness, falsification or forgery lies on
the availability of known standards for comparison. After thorough comparison, the following
principle of identification is applied:
DIVISIONS OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT
EXAMINATION

1. Criminalistics Examination. This involves the detection of forgery, erasure, alteration or obliteration
of documents.
 =Dr. Wilson Harrison, a noted British Examiner of questioned documents said that an intelligent
police investigator can detect almost 75% of all forgeries by careful inspection of a document with
simple magnifiers and measuring tools.
 
2 Handwriting Investigation/Analysis. This is more focused in determining the author of writing. It is
more difficult procedure and requires long study and experience.
 Handwriting Examination (Graphology/Graphoanalysis)
• examination of signatures and initials
• examination of anonymous letters
• hand printing examination

Examination of Typewritings and typeprints.

FORMS/ASPECTS Examination of Inks

(SUBJECTS) OF Examination of Erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc.

• Detection of alteration

QUESTIONED • Decipherment of erased writings

• Restoration of obliterated writings

DOCUMENT Counterfeiting

EXAMINATION Examination of currency bills and coins and the like.

Examination of fake documents

Miscellaneous aspects
• Determination of age of documents
• Identification of stamps
• Examinations of seal and other authenticating devices
 DOCUMENT EXAMINATION (In General)

A. VALUE -
• In the commission of a crime, the criminal often finds it necessary to employ one or more documents in furtherance of his act.
• In some crimes, such as forgery, the document is an integral part of the crime.
• In others, such as false claims against government, documents often play an important part in proving the commission of the crime.
• Proof of the fact that a document was altered or made by a particular individual may show that:
• a. He committed the crime.
• b. He had knowledge of the crime.
• c. He was present in a certain locality at a specified time.

B. PURPOSE - A document may be examined to know the following:

• Identity of the author.
• True contents of the document.
• Origin of the instrument or paper used in making the document.
• Alterations or erasures which have been made.
• Authenticity of the document.
THE LOGICAL PROGRESS OF INQUIRY IN
DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

FIRST - ASCERTAIN THE FACTS: to select

"QUESTIONED", "DENIED" or "ADMITTED",
"AUTHENTIC", and "DOUBTFUL" documents.
SECOND - ANALYZE THE DETAILS:
Synthesize the elements, date, circumstances,
conditions, technical problems and the like.
THIRD - QUALIFY THE CASE:
FIRST - ASCERTAIN THE FACTS: to select "QUESTIONED", "DENIED" or
"ADMITTED", "AUTHENTIC", and "DOUBTFUL" documents.

Concerning the Document in Questioned.

• Is only one signa­ture in questioned?
Concerning • Is any part of the document in ques­tion?
• Is the date of the document in questioned?
• Is the paper or the typewriter used in the document in ques­tioned? Etc.

Regarding the Standards:

• Make sure that there are sufficient numbers of authentic documents for comparison submitted. If there are inadequate standards,
Regarding obtain more.
• Determine whether the standards are authentic ones, on which a foundation can be built for admitting them in evidence.
SECOND - ANALYZE THE DETAILS: Synthesize the elements,
date, circumstances, conditions, technical problems and the like.

1. The examiner after ascer­taining the facts, should have detailed information as to the
circumstances of the document in questioned, the condition of an alleged writer, or of any
condition that may have affected the writing or typewriting or any facts that are part of the
technical problem with the document that is submitted to the expert.
2. He should inquire about the circumstances and conditions as far as the client knows,
such as; was the docu­ment signed sitting on the wall, on the lap, or lying in bed? Sitting
on bed, lying on his back or side? For example, a document could have been signed in a
moving automobile or while having a drink at the bar.
 THIRD - QUALIFY THE CASE:
01 02
How much time is needed Is it possible to complete
for the examina­tion? the study from the origi­nal
papers, or is it necessary to
make special photo-enlarge­
ments for proper
examination?
03
If it is possible to make
arrangements with the client
for photo-enlargement, is it
advisable to do so?
04
Photo-enlargements are
always useful for
demonstrating the reasons
on which the opinion is
based, especially in Court.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF
DOCUMENTS

It is the initial examination conducted on a document to determine whether it is genuine or

not. It is not a misnomer, for in reality it consists of painstaking analysis more than looking at
a document and expressing an off-hand opinion.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRELIMINARY
EXAMINATION OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT:

1. ensures preparedness;
2. avoidance of delay; and
3. ensures success of the case.
Principal points for consideration in the PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION of questioned
documents. Please note that these questions may not be applicable in every case.

Are the signatures of the

Does the signature touch
Is the signature in a witnesses genuine and
Is the signature genuine? the other writings? Or was
natural position? were they written in the
it written last?
order as they appear?

Are there remains of

pencil or carbon marks Is the signature shown in Is the writings written Is the signature written
which may have been an an embossed form on the before the paper was before or after the paper
outline for the signature of back of the sheet? folded? was folded?
other writings?

10. Are the several sheets

Is more than one kind of
of the document exactly
ink used in the preparation
the same sizes, thickness
of the document?
and colors?

11. Is the paper torn,
12. Is the paper
burned or mutilated in any
unnecessary soiled or
way, and if so, for what
crumpled?
purpose?
16 . If typewritten, are the
15. Has the document
contents of the document all
been wet in any way and if
written on the same
so, for what purpose?
machine?
19. Do the perforations
agree with the stubs from
which the alleged document
came?
13. Does the document
14. Does the document
contain abrasion,
show abrasion, erasure or
chemical/pencil erasures,
lack of continuity when
and alterations/substitutions
viewed by transmitted light?
of any kind?
18. Are there added
17. Was each sheet written
figures, words, clauses,
continuously at one time
sentences, paragraphs or
without being removed from
pages written on a different
the typewriter?
typewriter?
20. If the document is a
carbon copy, does it conform
in the size, position, and
arrangement of matters with
original letterheads?
21. If the document is a letter, does
postmark, postage stamps, manner
of sealing and opening of envelope
have any significance?
22. Are there indentations in the 24. Is the attached seal of proper
23. Is the rubber-stamp impression
paper from handwriting or date or the seal impression made
if any appears made from a genuine
typewriting on a sheet placed above from a genuine seal and is it made in
stamp?
the paper examined? proper
• sequence?
Who Conducts the Preliminary Examination? – It should be
conducted by a QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXPERT.

Who is a Questioned Document Expert? A Questioned

Document Expert is one who has:
• Attained the appropriate education and training;
• Sufficient knowledge on the technical, scientific, and legal aspects of
document examinations; and
• A broad experience in handling questioned document cases.
REASONS FOR UTILIZING A QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXPERT:

• Assurance of preparedness;
• Trial fiscal or judges are infrequently confronted with docu­ment cases; consequently, they do not possess the
knowledge of the documents expert's ability of the various methods that exist for determining forgeries.
• Avoidance of an “OFF-HAND” opinion.

What is an “OFF-HAND OPINION”? Off-hand opinion is usually a conclusion that is not

based on thorough scientific examination.

THE DANGER OF OFF-HAND OPINIONS - It has happened in some cases that an off-
hand opinion, has sent an innocent man to prison, while a murderer was given a chance to
escape.
Note 3
INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS
USED IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT
EXAMINATIONS
TECHNIQUES IN THE EXAMINATION
OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
PHOTOGRAPHY AND QUESTIONED
DOCUMENT EXAMINATION
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMINATIONS
SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN
QUESTIONED DOCUMENT
EXAMINATION
INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS USED IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATIONS

A. MAGNIFYING LENS – Bank personnel and other people involved in currency examinations usually use and ordinary hand-
lens; the maximum diameter of which is four inches, and this appears big with its wide frame it has a magnifying power of two
times the original only. Magnifying lenses of five times or more magnifying power, with built-in-lighting are more useful.
B. SHADOWGRAPH – a pictorial image formed by casting a shadow, usually of the hands, upon a rightful surface or screen.
C. STEREOSCOPIC BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE – a tri-dimensional (3D) enlargement is possible.
D. MEASURES AND TEST PLATES (TRANSPARENT GLASS) – those used for signatures and typewritings.
E. TABLE LAMPS WITH ADJUSTABLE SHADES (Goose Neck Lamps) – used for controlled illumination; needed in sidelight
examination wherein light is placed at a low-angle in a position oblique to plane or document.
INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS USED IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATIONS

A. TRANSMITTED LIGHT GADGET – a device where light comes from beneath or behind glass on document is placed.
B. ULTRA VIOLET LAMP – this is usually used in the detection of counterfeited bills but can actually be used to detect
security features of qualified documents.
C. INFRARED VIEWER – primarily used to decipher writings in a charred document.
D. COMPARISON MICROSCOPE – similar to that of the bullet comparison microscope
TECHNIQUES IN THE EXAMINATION OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

1. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
2. TRANSMITTED LIGHT EXAMINATION
3. OBLIQUE LIGHT EXAMINATION
4. PHOTOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
5. ULTRA-VIOLET EXAMINATION
6. INFRARED EXAMINATION
MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION

- Any examination or study which is made with the

microscope in order to discover minute physical
details. Stereoscopic examination with low and high
power objectives is used to detect retouching,
patching and unnatural pen-lift in signature analysis.
With proper angle and intensity or illumination, it
aids in the decipherment of erasures, some minute
manipulations not perfectly pictured to the unaided
eye and the sequence of entries done by different
writing instruments.
TRANSMITTED LIGHT EXAMINATION

– In this examination, the document is viewed

with the source of illumination behind it and
the light passing through the paper.
Documents are subjected to this type of
examination to determine the presence of
erasures, matching of serrations and some
other types of alterations.
OBLIQUE LIGHT
EXAMINATION

An examination with the illumination so

controlled that it grazes or strikes the
surface of the document from one side
at a very low angle. Decipherment of
faded handwriting, determination of
outlines in traced forgery, embossed
impressions, etc. are subjected to this
type of examination.
PHOTOGRAPHIC
EXAMINATION

This type of examination is very essential in

every document examination. Actual
observations are recorded in the photographs.
ULTRA-VIOLET EXAMINATION

Ultraviolet radiation is invisible and occurs in the wave

lengths just below the visible blue-violet end of the
spectrum (rainbow).  These visible rays react on some
substances so that visible light is reflected, a phenomenon
known as FLOURESCENCE. This type of examination is
done in a darkroom after the lamp has been warmed up in
order to give a maximum output of the ultra-violet light.
Exposure to the ultra-violet light should be to the minimum
duration in order to avoid fading of some writing ink and
typewriter ribbon
INFRARED EXAMINATION

This examination of documents employs

invisible radiation beyond the red portion of
the visible spectrum (rainbow) which is usually
recorded on a specially sensitized
photographic emulsion.
 1. serve as record of the initial condition of a disputed document;
2. make clear what otherwise may be hidden or indistinct;
3. enlarge a writing in question so that every quality and characteristics of it can be
clearly and properly interpreted whether the facts so shown point to genuineness or
to forgery;
4. enable any number of accurate reproductions of document, thus affording unlimited

PHOTOGRAPHY AND
opportunity for study, comparison and evaluation by any number of examiners,
which would not be possible by using the document alone;
5. allow cutting apart as may be desired and the various parts classified for
comparisons;

QUESTIONED 6.

7.
can show delicate discolorations due to chemical erasures or other fraudulent
changes, which may otherwise be overlooked, or misinterpreted;
can show very clearly any erasures by abrasions made by ordinary rubber eraser

DOCUMENT and it can record in permanent form with the paper placed obliquely to the plane of
the lens and plate and inclined at just right angle of reflection so as to show
differences in the reflected light from different portions of the paper surface; and

EXAMINATION
8. with transmitted light, photographs is useful in:
a. examination of watermarks
b. determining the identity, or the differences in paper by showing arrangement of the
fibers and the markings of the wire gauze and dandy roll
c. showing the continuity of strokes and
d. 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.
 1. ERASURES
MISCELLANEOUS 2. INDENTED WRITING

EXAMINATIONS 3. BURNED OR CHARRED PAPER

4. ADDING MACHINES
ERASURES

One of the common inquiries in the questioned document is whether or not an erasure was
actually made on a document. In cases like this, the following examinations are made:
1. Physical inspection: using ultraviolet light, observation with light striking the surface at a sharp
angle, and observation under the microscope may be considered.
2. Fuming with iodine may cause an almost negligible stain, but in most instances, not the
slightest semblance of a stain remains.
INDENTED WRITING

Indented writing is a term usually applied to the partially visible depressions appearing on a sheet of paper underneath the one on which the
visible writing appears. These depressions or indentation are due to the application of pressure on the writing instrument and would appear as a
carbon copy if a sheet of carbon paper had been properly inserted. Indentation may also appear on a blank sheet of paper if such is used as a
backing sheet while typing out a message on a typewriter. Methods of examination are:
1. Physical methods maybe used by passing a strong beam of nearly parallel light almost horizontally over the surface of the paper.
2. Fuming the document maybe of values in some cases.
3. Powders of various kinds maybe used without changing the document.
BURNED OR CHARRED PAPER

A piece of paper maybe subjected to the action of a limited amount of heat, causing it to become scorched and retaining a certain amount of its identity or it maybe
subjected to intense heat, reducing it to ashes and losing its identity. However, if the combustion is incomplete, a certain amount of success maybe realized
provided the pieces are large enough to form a coherent message.
 
 
The following methods maybe applied to decipher the original message contained thereon:
 
1. Photographic methods, using various types of filters and different angles of illumination may determine the writing contained thereon without changing the
appearance of the charred fragments.
2. Chemical methods, such as spraying, painting, or bathing charred pieces with solutions of different chemical reagents.
3. Photographic plates maybe utilized by allowing the charred paper to remain in contact with the emulsion sides in total darkness from one to two weeks.
ADDING MACHINES

The construction of an adding machine differs greatly from the typewriter but the methods
and principles of identification are related.
 
Manufacturers use different types of numerals and from time to time change their
design. The spacing between columns is also not standardized for all machines. Those
factors form the basis of determining the make of the machine and for estimating the period
in which it was built. Another kind of approach is the ribbon impression, for the ribbon is
made and operates very similarly to the typewriter.
HANDLING OF
DOCUMENTS AND
QUESTIONED
DOCUMENTS
THE CARE OF DISPUTED DOCUMENTS AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

It is a basic requirement, that when a document becomes disputed and deposited in court or  with  the  attorney, in order to
 maintain  its original condition,  it  should be kept UNFOLDED AND  IN  A  SEPARATE, PROPER SIZE ENVELOPE OR
FOLDER. This is true not only for the disputed documents, but for many other important documentary evidence.

It is also advisable that right  after  the document becomes disputed, or questioned, it is important to make not only the usual
photo static copy (Xerox),  but also a proper photograph or photo-enlargement, done if possible  by the document expert or
under the supervision  of  the document expert.

When working in the preparation of case, it is often necessary  for the lawyer or court to handle repeatedly  the disputed
 document.  Should this be necessary, instead of handling and working with the original document, the photo­graph should be
used.

Every touching, folding, refolding or pointing to certain parts of a document, can change the physical condition of the case.
 For example, touching with wet hands or fingers can create smearing in the ink, pointing with a pencil can leave marks that
create a suspicion of previous pencil marks, or experiments as proof of attempted forgery.
THE CARE OF DISPUTED DOCUMENTS AND
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
Pointing a document with any other instruments, such as sharp stick, can cause slight damage which
although it can not be seen by the naked eye, can show definite marks under the microscope or on the
enlarged photograph.

No test should be made to alter the conditions of the document; for example, the old-fashioned ink test,
which was used to determine the age of the ink-writing.

Should any test be necessary, insist that it should be done in the presence of a chemist, or in court, or in
front of both parties involved the case.
DO's and DON'T's in the CARE, HANDLING
AND PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS
 “DO’S”

Take disputed papers to Document Examiner's Laboratory at the

First Opportunity.

If storage is necessary, keep in dry place away from excessive

heat strong light.

Maintain in consequential document, unfolded and in transparent

plastic envelope or evidence preserver.
a. Do not underscore, make careless markings, fold, erase,
impress rubber stamps, sticker, write on, or otherwise alter
any handwriting.
b. Do not smear with fingerprints powder or chemicals.
c. Do not carry handwriting document carelessly in wallet,
notebook or brief case on grounds of interviews.
d. Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry then in

“DONT’S”
pocket for a long time.
e. Do not  marked  disputed  documents  (either  by
  consciously writing instruments or dividers)
f. Do not mutilate or damage by repeated refolding, creasing,
cutting, tearing or punching for filing purposes.
g. Do not allow anyone except qualified specialist to make
chemical or other tests; do no treat or dust for latent finger­
prints before consulting a document examiner.
Note 4
HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION

Physiological
Kind of Development
Basis of Variation
handwritings of handwriting
handwriting

Hand Rhythm in Handwriting

Terminologies
Movement Handwriting stroke

HANDWRITING - It is the result
of a very complicated series of
facts, being used as whole,
combination of certain forms of
visible mental and muscular
habits acquired by long,
continued painstaking effort.
Some defined handwriting as
“visible speech.”
Cursive – connected;
writing in which one
letter is joined to the
next.
Script – separated or
printed writing.
Block – all CAPITAL
LETTERS.
BASIS OF
HANDWRITING
In Wignore's Principles of
judicial Proof, handwriting is
defined as a visible effect of
bodily movement which is an
IDENTIFICATION almost unconscious expression
of fixed muscular habits,
reacting from fixed mental
impression of certain ideas
associated with script form.
Environment, education and
occupation affect individuals so
variously in the formation of
these muscular habits
that finally the act of writing
becomes an almost automatic
succession of acts stimulated
by these habits.
The imitation of the style of
writing by another person
becomes difficult because the
other person cannot by mere
will power reproduce in
himself all the muscular
combination from the habit of
the first writer.
PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF HANDWRITING

In writing the pen functions as an extension of the hand. The fingers transmit to the paper, the
directive impulse and the variation in muscular tension that according to the nature of tie
writer's nervous organization occur during the act or writing. This center near the motor area
of the cortex is responsible for the finger movement involved in handwriting. The importance
of this center is that when it becomes diseased as in a graphic, one loses the ability to write
although he could still grasp a fountain pen, ball pen or pencil. Thus, the ability or power to
hold a fountain pen or pencil to form symbols and words can be said to emanate from its
cortical center
Two Groups of Muscles Involve in
Handwriting:

1. extensor muscles - push up the pen to form the upward strokes

2. flex muscles which push the pen to from the downward strokes.
 
Generally speaking, four groups of muscles are employed in writing - those which
operate the joints of the fingers, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The delicate way in which the
various muscles used in writing work together to produce written form is known as motor
coordination.
VARIATIONS IN HANDWRITING

A more or less definite pattern for each is stored away in the subjective mind but the hand
does not always produce a ster­eotyped duplicate of that pattern. The hand ordinarily is not
an instrument of precision and therefore we may not expect every habitual manual operation
to be absolutely uniform. The greater this skill in the art of penman­ship, the less the
variations there will be in the form of individu­alize letters as well as in the writing as a whole.
CAUSES OF VARIATION

1. Function of some external condition i.e. influence of the available space.

2. Abnormal conditions such as physical injury, toxic effects, inebriation's, emotion and
deception.
3. Position of letter - all the letters are to be found initial­ly, medially, and finally. The fact of a
different position, especially in combination with another and particular letter, may
modify any of them in some way or another.
IMPORTANCE OF VARIATION

1. Personal variation encountered under normal writing conditions is also a highly important element of identification. The
qualities of personal variation include both its nature and its extent. It becomes necessary to determine the amount,
extent, and exact quality of the variations.
2. It is improbable that the variety and extent of the variation in handwriting will be exactly duplicated in two individuals
that such a coincidence becomes practically impossible and this multitude of possible variations when combined is
what constitutes individuality in handwriting.
3. With a group of signatures of a particular writer, certain normal divergence in size, lateral spacing and proportions
actually indicate genuineness. Variation in genuine writing is ordinarily in superficial parts and in size, proportions,
degree of care given to the act, design, slant, shading, vigor, angularity, roundness and direction of stroke.
DEVELOPMENT OF HANDWRITING OF AN
INDIVIDUAL

1. Children learn writing by following the school copy or model.

2. After acquiring some degree of skill the children no longer follow the school model.
3. As speed increases, conscious design and regularity begin to break down.
4. In the course of trial and error, modification are made, simplification and elaborations, addition and omissions occur.
a. The writing pattern of each child embodies unique combinations of such deviation from the standard letter forms or school model, and
becomes his personal habits.
b. Although  thousands  learn the same system and that  the  natural result  is identity, but facts show that it is not because  those who  were
 taught  the same system or school copy  a  class  of writers, but such impairs does not by any means produce a slavish uniformity.
c. Variation begins as soon as writing begins and continues until each writer in the way that seems best and easiest to him.
TERMINOLOGIES
RELATED TO
HANDWRITING
IDENTIFICATION
AND EXAMINATIONS
ALIGNMENT - Is the relation of parts of the whole of writing or line of individual letters in
words to the baseline. It is the alignment of words or the relative alignment of letters.

ANGULAR FORMS – Sharp, straight strokes that are made by stopping the pen and changing
direction before continuing.

ARCADE FORMS – Forms that look like arches rounded on the top and open at the bottom.

CHARACTERISTICS - any property or mark which distinguishes and in document

examination commonly called to as the iden­tifying details.

COLLATION - side by side comparison; collation as used in this text means the critical
comparison on side by side examination.
COMPARISON - the act of setting two or more items side by side to weigh their identifying qualities; it refers not only a visual but
also the mental  act in which the element of one item are related to the  counterparts of the other.

DISGUISED WRITING - A writer may deliberately try to alter his usual writing habits in hopes of hiding his identity. The results,
regardless of their effectiveness are termed disguised writing.

DOWNSTROKE – The movement of the pen toward the writer.

FORM – The writer’s chosen writing style. The way the writing looks, whether it is copybook, elaborated, simplified or printed.

GARLAND FORMS – A cup-like connected form that is open at the top and rounded on the bottom.
GESTALT – The German word that means “complete” or “whole”. A good gestalt needs nothing added or taken away to make it
“look right”. Also a school of handwriting analysis that looks at handwriting as a whole picture.

GRAPHOANALYSIS - the study of handwriting based on the two fundamental strokes, the curve and the straight strokes.

GRAPHOMETRY - analysis by comparison and measurement.

GRAPHOLOGY - the art of determining character disposition and amplitude of a person from the study of handwriting. It also
means the scientific study and analysis of handwriting, especially with reference to forgeries and questioned documents.

HANDLETTERING. Any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is written separately; also called hand printing
LETTER SPACE – The amount of space left between letters.

LINE DIRECTION – Movement of the baseline. May slant up, down, or straight across the page.

LINE QUALITY - the overall character of the ink lines from the beginning to the ending strokes. There are two classes: Good Line quality and Poor Line quality. The visible
records in the written stroke of the basic movements and manner of holding the writing instrument is characterized by the term "line quality". It is derived from a combination of
actors including writing skill, speed rhythm, freedom of movements, shading and pen position.

LINE SPACE – The amount of space left between lines.

MANUSCRIPT WRITING. A disconnected form of script or semi-script writing. This type of writing is taught in young children in elementary schools as the first step in
learning to write.
MARGINS – The amount of space left around the writing on all four sides.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION - Any study or examination which is made with the microscope in other to discover minute de­tails.

MOVEMENT – It is an important element in handwriting. It embraces all the factors which are related to the motion of the writing instrument skill, speed freedom, hesitation,
rhythm, emphasis, tremors and the like. The manner in which the writing instrument is move that is by finger, hand, forearm or whole arm.

NATURAL WRITING - Any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt to control or alter its identifying habits and its usual quality or execution.

NATURAL VARIATION - These are normal or usual deviations found   between repeated specimens   of any individual handwriting.

PEN EMPHASIS - The act of intermittently forcing the pen against   the paper surfaces.  When the pen-point   has flexibility, this emphasis produces shading, but with more rigid
 writing points  heavy point emphasis  can  occur  in writing w/out any evidence of shading; the act intermittently forcing the pen  against  the paper with increase pressure.

PEN HOLD – The place where the writer grasps the barrel of the pen and the angle at which he holds it.
PROPORTION or RATIO - the relation between the tall and the short letter is referred as to the ratio of writing.

QUALITY. A distinct or peculiar character. Also, “quality” is used in describing handwriting to refer to any identifying factor that
is related to the writing movement itself.

RHYTHM – The element of the writing movement which is marked by regular or periodic recurrences. It may be classed as
smooth, intermittent, or jerky in its quality; the flourishing succession of motion which are re­corded in a written record. Periodicity,
alternation of movement.

SHADING - Is the widening of the ink strokes due to the added pressure on a flexible pen point or to the use of a stub pen.

SIGNIFCANT WRITING HABIT – Any characteristic of handwriting that is sufficiently uncommon and well fixed to serve as a
fundamental point in the identification.

SIMPLIFICATION – Eliminating extra or superfluous strokes from the copybook model

SIZE – May refer to the overall size of the writing or the proportions between zones.

SKILL - In any set there are relative degrees or ability or skill and a specimen of handwriting usually contains evi­dence of the writer's
proficiency; degree, ability, or skill of a write proficiency.

SLOPE/SLANT - the angle or inclination of the axis of the letters relative to the baseline. There are three classes: Slant to the left; Slant to
the right; and Vertical Slant.

SPEED OF WRITING - The personal pace at which the writer’s pen moves across the paper.

SPEED (SPEEDY) WRITING - Not everyone writes at the same rate so that consideration of the speed of writing may be a significant
identifying element. Writing speed cannot be measured pre­cisely from the finished handwriting but can be interpreted in broad terms of slow,
moderate, or rapid.

SYSTEM (OF WRITING) - The combination of the basic design of letters and the writing movement as taught in school make up the
writing system. Writing through use diverges from the system, but generally retains some influence of the basic training.
TENSION – The degree of force exerted on the pen compared to the degree of relaxation.

THREADY FORM – An indefinite connective form that looks flat and wavy.

VARIABILITY – The degree to which the writing varies from the copybook model.

VARIATION – The act or process of changing.

WORD SPACE – The amount of space left between words.

WRITING CONDITION – Both the circumstances under which the writing was prepared and the factors influencing the writer’s ability to write at the time of
execution. It includes the writer’s position (sitting, standing, abed, etc.), the paper support and backing, and the writing instrument; writing ability may be modified by
the condition of the writer’s health, nervous state, or degree of intoxication.

WRONG-HANDED WRITING. Any writing executed with the opposite hand that normally used; a.k.a. as “with the awkward hand.” It is one means of disguise.
Thus, the writing of a right-handed person which has been executed with his left hand accounts for the common terminology for this class of dis­guise as "left-hand
writing".

WRITING IMPULSE – The result of the pen touching down on the paper and moving across the page, until it is raised from the paper.
MOVEMENT IN
HANDWRITING
KINDS OF MOVEMENT

 
1. Finger Movement - the thumb, the first, second and
slightly the third fingers are in actual motion. Most usually
employed by children and illiterates.
2. Hand Movement - produced by the movement or action
of the whole hand with the wrist as the center of attraction.
3. Forearm Movement - the movement of the shoulder, hand
and arm with the support of the table.
4. Whole Forearm Movement - action of the entire arm
without resting. i.e., blackboard writing.
 
 Clumsy, illiterate and
halting

Hesitating and painful due

to weakness and illness

QUALITY OF Strong, heavy and forceful

MOVEMENT
Nervous and irregular

Smooth, flowing and rapid

 Speed - Slow and drawn;
Deliberate; average; and rapid
Speed &
Different
Different movements employed
Employed affect writing in – Smoothness;
Directness; Uniformity; Continuity
of strokes; and Connecting or curves
between letters
 RHYTHM IN HANDWRITING
Rhythm is a succession of connected, uniform strokes working in full coordination. This is manifested by clear-cut
accentuated strokes, which increase and decrease in which like perfect cones. Pressure is always in a state of
change moving from light to heavy or from heavy to light.

Lack of Rhythm - Characterized by a succession of awkward, independent, poorly

directed and disconnected motions.

Importance of Rhythm - By studying the rhythm of the succession of strokes, one can
determine if the writer normally and spontaneously or write with hesitation as if he is
attempting to for another signature.

Letter of Connections - Determine the essential expression of the writing pattern. It is a

mean indicator of the neuromuscular function. Words are formed by connection letters to
one another. Even letters are formed by the joining of the upward and downward strokes.
These types of connections are:
CONNECTING STROKE

Arcade - a rounded stroke shaped like an arch. It is a slow mode of connection resulting from controlled movements.
Garland - Links the downward stroke to the upstrokes with a flowing curve swinging from left t right. It is an easy, effortless
mode of connection, written with speed.
Angular connective form- When the downward strokes and upward strokes meet directly, angular connection is formed.  This
type of connection imposes a check on the continuity of movement which is characterized by an abrupt stop and start in each
turning point.
The threadlike connective form - the joining of downward and upward strokes is slurred to a threadlike tracing or where rounded
turns used at both top and bottom produce a double curve.  These forms appear both in the shaping of letters within the word.
HANDWRITING SROKE

STROKE is a series of lines or

curves written in a single letter; one
of the lines of an alphabet or series
of lines or curves within a single
letter; the path traced by the pen
on the paper.
ARC – a curved formed inside the top curve of loop as in small letters “h”, “m”, “n”, & “p”.

ARCH - any arcade form in the body of a letter found in small letters which contain arches.

ASCENDER - is the top portion of a letter or upper loop.

BASELINE - maybe actually on a ruled paper, it might be imaginary alignment of writing; is the ruled or imaginary line upon which the
writing rests.
BEADED - Preliminary embellished initial stroke which usually occurs in capital letters.

BEARD - is the rudimentary initial up stroke of a letter.

BLUNT - the beginning and ending stroke of a letter (without hesitation).

BODY - The main portion of the letter, minus the initial of strokes, terminal strokes and the diacritic, of any.  Ex: the oval of the letter "O" is
the body, minus the downward stroke and the loop.
BOWL - a fully rounded oval or circular form on a letter complete into "O".

BUCKLE/BUCKLEKNOT - A loop made as a flourished which is added to the letters, as in small letter "k & b", or in capital letters "A",
"K","P"; the horizontal end loop stroke that are often used to complete a letter.
CACOGRAPHY - a bad writing.

CALLIGRAPHY - the art of beautiful writing.

DESCENDER - opposite of ascender, the lower portion of a letter.

DIACRITIC - "t" crossing and dots of the letter "i" and "j".  The matters of the Indian script are also known as diacritic signs; an element added to
complete a certain letter, either a cross bar or a dot.

ENDING/TERMINATE STROKE OF TOE - the end stroke of a letter.

EYE/EYELET/EYELOOP - a small loop or curved formed inside the letters. This may occur inside the oval of the letters "a, d, o"; the small loop form
by stroke that extend in diver­gent direction as in small letters.

FOOT - lower part which rest on the base line. The small letter "m" has three feet, and the small letter "n" has two feet.

HABITS - any repeated elements or details, which may serve to individualize writing.

HESITATION - the term applied to the irregular thickening of ink which is found when writing slows down or stop while the pen take a stock of the
position.

HIATUS/PEN JUMP - a gap occurring between a continuous stroke without lifting the pen. Such as occurrence usually occurs due to speed; may be
regarded also as a special form of pen lift distin­guish in a ball gaps in that of perceptible gaps and  appear in the writing.
HOOK - It is a minute curve or a ankle which often occurs at the end of the terminal strokes. It also sometimes occurs at the beginning of an initial stroke. The  terminal
curves  of the letters "a", "d", "n", "m", "p", "u", is the hook. In small letter "w" the initial curve is the hook; the minute involuntary talon like formation found at the
commencement of an initial up stroke or the end terminal stroke.
HUMP - Upper portion of its letter "m","n","h" ,"k" - the rounded outside of the top of the bend stroke  or curve in small letter.

KNOB -the extra deposit of ink in the initial and terminal stroke due to the slow withdrawal of the pen from the paper (usually applicable to fountain pen).

LIGATURE/CONNECTION - The stroke which connects two stroke of letter; characterized by connected stroke between letters.

LONG LETTER - those letters with both upper and lower loops.

LOOP - A oblong curve such as found on the small letter "f", "g", "l" and letters stroke "f" has two. A loop may be blind or open. A blind loop is usually the result of the
ink having filled the open space.

MAJUSCULE - a capital letter.

MINUSCULE - a small letter.

MOVEMENT IMPULSES - this refer to the continuity of stroke, forged writing is usually produced by disconnected and broken movements and more motion or
movement impulses than in genuine writing.

PATCHING - retouching or going back over a defective portion of a written stroke. Careful patching is common defect on forgeries.
Retouching retouching or going back over to repair a defective portion of a
stroke. Careful patching is common defect on forgeries

Retrace/ a stroke goes back over another writing stroke; any part of stoke
Retracing which is super imposed upon the original stroke

Shoulder outside portion of top curve small letter m has three shoulder
and the small letter n

Spur short horizontal beginning strokes

Staff back of the letter any major long downward stroke of a letter such s long downward stroke of letter b,g

Stem/shank/staff – is considered as the backbone of the letter characterized by a long downward strokes

Tick / hitch any short stroke which usually at top of the letters

Whirl the upward usually on the that have long loops

Liner letters lower case letters having no ascending loops or stem ar descending loops or stem sometimes called
minuscule
Supralinear letters that extend a distance vertically above the linear letters, (bd h k l )

Infralinear letters re those that extend a distance vertically below the baseline of the writing or of the linear letters.
(gjpqy )
Double- length ltters are few letters that extend a distance vertically both above and below the linear letters
Take Note:

AIRSTROKE – The movement of the pen as it is raised from the paper and continues in the same direction in the air.

COVERING STROKE – A stroke that unnecessarily covers another stroke in a concealing action.

FINAL – The ending stroke on a letter when it is at the end of a word.

UPSTROKE – Movement of the pen away from the writer.

SEQUENCE OF STROKES - The order in which writing strokes are placed on the paper is referred to as their sequence.

SUPPORTED STROKES – Upstrokes partially covering the previous down strokes. Originally taught in European schools.

TRAIT STROKE – a school o handwriting analysis that assigns personality trait manners to individual writing strokes.
QUALITIES OF THE STROKES

1. Expansion - whether the movement is extended or limited in its range with respect to both vertical and horizontal dimen­sion.
2. Co-ordination - whether the flow of movement is controlled or uncertain, smooth or jerky, continuous or interrupted.
3. Speed - whether the movement has been rapid or slow and wheth­er the pace has been steady or variable.
4. Pressure- whether the pressure exerted in the movement and its upward and downward reach.
5. Direction-  Left ward and right ward trend of they movement and its upward and downward reach.
6. Rhythm - in the sequence of movements that weave the total pattern, certain similar phases recur at more or less regular
intervals.
 HANDWRITING
PROBLEMS
1. A signature/handwriting contested by its author which in reality is genuine
 and corresponds  perfectly to  the  ordinary,  and habitual signatures of that person.
2. A signature/handwriting contested by its author which in reality was written by him but in a
way which was different  from  the ordinary manner and which is more or less different from
the common genuine signatures of that person.
3. A signature/handwriting contested by its author which in reality was written by a third person
and which is a forgery written in an attempted imitation of a model.
4. A spurious signature/handwriting written by somebody who did not attempt to imitate the
signature of a person and who uses a ficti­tious name and this to give his work the appearance
of a signature.
5. An uncontested signature/handwriting, in fact, genuine but written by an unknown person
whose name must be deciphered by the document examiner.
GENERAL CLASSES OF QUESTIONED
WRITING

Forged or simulated writings Those writings that are

in which the attempt is made disguised and in which the
to discard one’s own writing writer seeks to hide his own
and assume the exact writing personality without adapting
personality of another person. that of another.
Note 5
HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS