QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

Leynet V. Aguila, B.S. Crim. , MA Crim.

Document Examiner V
PNP Forensic Group, Camp Crame Q.C.
DEFINITION OF
DOCUMENTS
•Documents- Any material that contain marks, symbols, or
signs either visible, partially visible or invisible that may
ultimately convey a meaning or message to someone, pencil
or ink typewriting, or printing on paper are the most usual
forms of document.
•Document – Applies to writing, to words printed,
lithographed, photographed, to maps or plans, to seals,
plates or even stones in which inscriptions.
•Documents – Plural form means deeds, agreements,
contracts, title, letters, receipts and other documents
•Documents – Any material that contains marks, symbols, or
sign either visible, partially visible or invisible that may
ultimately convey a meaning or message to someone. Pencil
or ink typewriting or printing on paper are the most usual
forms of documents.
•QUESTIONED DOCUMENT – Any document which some issue has been
raised or that is under scrutiny. These are other less violent, more
subtle – tools and products of crime. They do not bruise, batter cut or
shed blood, but they are used to steal your money and threaten your
security, more than guns, knives and pry bars.

•DISPUTED DOCUMENT- A term suggesting that there is an argument or

controversy over the document, and strictly speaking this is its true
meaning. In this text, as well as through prior usage, however, disputed
document and questioned document are employed interchangeably to
signify a document that is under special scrutiny.

•HOLOGRAPIC DOCUMENTS - Any document completely written and

signed by one person; also known as holograph. In a number of
jurisdiction a holographic will can be probated without anyone having
witnessed its execution.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
•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.
•FORENSIC SCIENCE - The field of science that is used in the judicial
process. A number of scientific disciplines commonly make up the more
active segments of forensic science. Some are derived from the physical,
medical and dental sciences and the best qualified workers specialize in
the court- oriented aspects of each disciplines. Questioned document
examination is a notable part of forensic science in that it developed
directly from the need of court experts to answer problems regarding
documents instead of growing out of established of field of science.
•EXPERT WITNESS - A legal term used to describe a witness who by reason of
his special technical training or experience is permitted to express an opinion
regarding the issue, or a certain aspect of the issue, 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
document examiners testifies in court as an expert witness.
•FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER – Is a forensic scientist whose
specialty centers around paper documents and related
materials .Examinations of handwriting is the most common activity,
but the field includes the study of almost anything related to documents
about which a forensic issue could rise.
•FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINATION – Applies the principles of
science and logic to all questioned documents problems in order to
determine the origin, authenticity and genuineness.

•GRAPHOLOGY - The act of attempting to interpret the character or

personality of an individual from his handwriting.

•GRAPHO - ANALYISIS - A form of graphology commonly practiced in

the US. It has no relationship to handwriting identification.

•PALEOGRAPHY - It is the study of early writings, old and ancient

scripts. It also focuses on writings done on papyrus, parchment vellum,
etc.
•EXAMINATION – The act of making a close and critical study of any
material and with questioned documents is the process necessary to
discover the facts about them. Various types of examination are
undertaken including microscopic, visual, photographic, chemical,
ultra violet and infra-red examination.

•COLLATION - Critical comparison or side by side examination.

•COMPARISON - The act of setting two or more items side by side to

weigh their identifying qualities. It implies not only a visual but also a
mental act in which the elements if one item are related to the counter
parts of the other.

•CONCLUSION- A scientific conclusion results from relating observed

facts by logical, common sense reasoning in accordance with
established rules or laws. The document examiners are so derived.

•CACOGRAPHY - Characterized as bad writing.

•CALLIGRAPHY - is the art of beautiful writing.

•CALCOGRAPHY – Art of drawing with colored chalks or pastels.

•AMBIDEXTROUS - Ability to write with both left and right.

•OPINION - In legal language, the document examiners conclusion.

Actually, in account he not only express an opinion but
demonstrates the reasons for arriving at it. Opinion and conclusion
are used synonymously

•QUALITY - A distinct or peculiar character. It used in describing

handwriting to refer to any identifying factor that is related to the
writing movement itself.

•SCIENCE - a body of eternalized knowledge for searching truth or

facts.

•ART - Knowledge or experience and specialized studies. Skillful

adaptation and application of knowledge of the same purpose.
•TECHNIQUE - The quality of skill and execution of some artistic
scientific works.

•QUALIFICATION – The professional experience, education and ability

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

•CERTIFICATION – The recognition of a particular level of professional

qualification. A national organization, the American Board of Forensic
Documents Examiners, Inc. has set up a certification program for the
document examiners based upon a review and testing of their
qualification. This nationwide program, established in 1878, will
ultimately provide a register of well – qualified document examiners.
KINDS OF DOCUMENTS
•PUBLIC DOCUMENTS – instruments notarized by a notary public or
competent officials with solemnities required by law

•OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS – Any instruments 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 DOCUMENTS - Every deed or instruments executed by a

private persons, without the intervention of a notary public or any
person legally authorized by which documents, disposition or
agreement is provided evidence or set worth.

•COMMERCIAL DOCUMENTS- Any instruments executed in

accordance with the Code of Commerce.
CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
1. Documents with questioned signatures

2. Documents with containing alleged fraudulent alterations

3. Holograms documents questioned or disputed

4. Documents attacked in the questions of materials used in their

production.

5. Documents attacked in the questions of their age or date.

6. Documents investigated on the questions of typewriting with a view of

a. Ascertaining their source
b. Determining their date
c. Determining their date
d. Determining whether or not they contain fraudulent alterations or
substitutes pages.

7. Document or writing investigated it is alleged that they identify a

person through handwriting .
8.
Genuine documents erroneously and fraudulently attacked.
 TECHNIQUES
IN THE EXAMINATION
OF
QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
Microscope Examination - stereoscopic examination with low and
high power objectives is used to detect retouching, patching, and
unnatural pen-lift is signature analysis. with proper angle and
intensity of illumination, it aids in the decipherment of erasures,
some minutes manipulation not perfectly pictured to the unaided eye
and the manipulation not perfectly pictured to the unaided eye and
the sequence of entries done by different writing instrument.

Transmitted Light Examination - documents are objected the type of

examination to determine the presence of erasures, matching of
serration and some other types of alteration.

Oblique Light Examination - Decipherment of faded handwriting

determination of outlines in traced forgery, embossed impression etc,
are subjected to this type of examination.

Photographic Examination - This type of examination is very essential in

every document examination.
Ultra Violet Examination - This type of
examination is done in a darkroom after the lamp
has been warned up in order to give a maximum
output of the ultra violet light. Exposure to the
ultra violet light should be the minimum duration
in order to avoid fading of some writing ink and
typewriter ribbon. The exposures of a document
the ultra violet light is useful when it consist of
several pages and substitution is being suspected.
The color and intensity of fluorescents reaction is
very apparent of substituted page. Mechanical and
chemical erasures will certainly change the
reflectivity and fluorescence of the area affected.
 KINDS
OF
EXAMINATION
Handwriting Examination - Including hand lettering and signatures.

Imprint Examination - Including those produce by manual devices

(rubber stamps, dater stamps and some cancellation stamps) mechanical
devices (typewriters and cheque writers) electronic printing devices
(typewriter, computer printers, time clock and cash registers) and
including the manufacture of counterfeits currencies, negotiable
instruments, faxed documents licenses and various personal credentials
and identification documents.
Reprographic Examination - Including photocopies, facsimile
reproductions, machine generated writings and photographs.

Writing Media Examination - Including instruments, inks and papers.

Examination of Invisible faded, Obscured Writing and Impressions of

Writings - including those of charred documents.

Dating Examination - Including absolute determination (i. e., dates of

introduction of products) and relative determination (I, e., the sequence of
ink strokes with other ink strokes, printings, typewriting perforations
and folds
Examination of Preternatural Paper Characteristics
- Including tears, fasteners, (i.e.,. paper clips and
staples) cuts and perforations.

Miscellaneous Examination - Including envelope

tampering, adhesives, laminations typists
characteristics and linguistics.
 INSTRUMENTS USE IN
THE EXAMINATION OF
QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA) - Detects indention/indented
writings Records transparencies of any indentations.

Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) - Used in the examination of masked or

obliterated text, watermarks, visible fluorescence, paper fluorescence and
oblique illumination of indented writing and embossing, detects variation in
the infra-red characteristics of inks.

Microscope - Is an instrument, which magnifies objects by means of lens\

lenses so as to reveals details invisible to the naked eye.

Comparison Microscope – It allows side by side simultaneous comparison of

questioned and known under study.

Stereoscopic Microscope – It provides a three dimension enlargement of

samples of typewriting, crossed strokes, erasures, alteration and others.

Infrared Image Comparison Microscope - It provides instant comparison of

inks and their ability to absorb or reflect infrared light.

Handwriting Protractor - it is a special ruled protractor designed for the easy

and accurate measuring of the slant of writing.
Uniformed Ruled Squares on Glass, Letter and Numbered -
This is a glass with uniformed squares that can be place over
an alleged forgery and a model form to compare for enlarged
typewritten letters.

Transmitted Light Table - An opaque or clear glass mounted

to a frame wherein a strong light source is installed
underneath.

Typewriting Test Plates on Glass for Alignment and Line

Spacing Test - Consist of a glass carrying accurately
graduated fine line squares. Then to an inch, the spacing
ordinary typewriting
Angel Measure - An instrument used in measuring angles in
handwriting and typewriting the with of the angle is
indicated at the point and the steps are in degree of half
degrees and the range is 60 ˚ to 10˚.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
IN
QUESTIONED
DOCUMENT
1. ANALYSIS – Properties or characteristics is observed or measured.

2. COMPARISON – Properties or characteristics of the unknown

determined through analysis are now compared with the familiar or
recorded properties of known entries.

3. EVALUATION – Similarities or dissimilarities in properties or

characteristics will each have a certain value for identification,
determined by its likelihood of occurrence. The weight or
significance of each must therefore be considered. The principle of
identification requires that when two items contain a combination of
corresponding or similar and specifically oriented characteristics of
such number and significance as to preclude the possibility of their
occurrence by mere coincidence and there no unaccounted for
difference. It may be concluded that they are the same in their
characteristics attributed to the same cause.
CRITERION FOR SCIENCE

ACCURACY – Refers to the correspondence

between results obtained and the truth.

PRECISION – A measure of the consistency

of results obtained in repeated study or
experimentation.
 DEFINITION
OF
HANDWRITING
Handwriting - Is the result of very complicated series of
acts, being used as a whole and combination of certain
forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by a
long continued painstaking effort. Some defined
handwriting as “visible speech”.

“According to Huber, it is an acquired skill and clearly

one that is a complex perceptual motor task, sometimes
referred as the nuero- muscular task. That out hand
contains 27 bones controlled by more than the muscle”.
TWO KINDS OF MUSCLES
OF HANDS
EXTENSOR MUSCLE – Muscle that push up the pen
to form upward strokes.

FLEXOR MUSCLE – Muscle that push up the pen to

form downward strokes, Flexor and extensor
combined LUMBRICAL – muscle that form lateral
strokes.

FOUR GROUPS OF MUSCLES EMPLOYED IN

WRITING
1. Fingers
2. Wrist
3. Elbows
4. Shoulder
SIGNATURES
•Signature - Name of a person written in a document as a
sign of acknowledgement.

KINDS OF SIGNATURES
1. CONVENTIONAL SIGNATURE – signatures which are
readable or legible.
1. HIGHLY INDIVIDUAL SIGNATURE – Series of
intertwining strokes, flourishes and ornamentations.
 CLASSES OF SIGNATURES

1. FORMAL SIGNATURE – complete correct signature for an

important document such as WILL.
2. INFORMAL SIGNATURE – Signature for routine
documents and personal correspondence.
3. CARELESS SCRIBBLE – For the mail carrier, delivery boy
or the autograph collector.
 KINDS
OF
HANDWRITING
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS - A property or mark that
distinguishes and in document examination commonly refers
to identifying details.
1. Common/ Class Characteristics
- They are those which conformed to the general
style acquired when learning to write and which is
fashionable at the particular time and place. It is the
style taught to the child in school or by the parents. Not
all characteristics encountered is document
examination are peculiar to a single or thing but rather
common to a group.
EXAMPLE OF COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

a. ordinary copy book form

b. usual systematic slant
c. ordinary scale of proportion and ratio
d. conventional spacing
 EXAMPLES OF COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OR
QUALITIES

1. Ordinary Copybook Form

2. Usual Systematic Slant

3. Ordinary Scale of Proportion

4. Conventional Spacing
2. Individual or Personal Characteristics
– Are those introduced into the handwriting,
consciously or unconsciously by the writer. They are
highly personal or peculiar and are unlikely to occur in
other instances. This class of characteristics are acquires
either by:

a. outgrowth of definite teaching

b. result of imitation
c. accidental condition or circumstances
d. expression of certain mental and physical traits
of
the writer as affected by education, environment
and
by occupation.
 EXAMPLES OF
INDIVIDUAL
OR
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
a. hook to the right and hook to the left

b. shape, position, size and angle of “i” dots and “t” crossing

c. indiosyncracies

d. buckle and distinctive initial and final pen pressure

e. embellishment, added strokes and free movement

f. conventional spacing

g. abbreviation of letters

h. simple and compound curves and graceful endings

i. labored movement producing ragged lines

j. terminal shadings and forceful endings

k. presence of and influence of foreign handwriting

 EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE
INDIVIDUAL
CHARACTERISTICS
1. Hook to the Right and Hook to the Left

2. Shape, Position, Size, and Angle of “i” Dots and “t”

Crossing
3. Idiosyncrasies

4. Bulbs and Distinctive Initial and Final Pen Pressure

5. Embellishment, Added Strokes and Free Movement

6. Abbreviation of Letters
7. Simple, Compound Curves and Graceful Endings

8. Labored Movement producing Ragged Lines

9. Terminal Shadings and Forceful Endings

10. Presence of Influence of Foreign Handwriting, i.e. the

introduction of Greek “e”
 VARIATION
IN
HANDWRITING
NATURAL HANDWRITING – Any specimen
of writing executed normally without an
attempt to control or alter its identifying habits
and its usual quality of execution. It is typical
writing of an individual.

NATURAL VARIATION - Normal or usual

deviation found between repeated specimens
of any individual handwriting.
CAUSES OF NATURAL HANDWRITING

 Due to the lack of machine-like precision of the human

hand

 Caused by external factors such as writing instrument

and writing position

 Internal factors as influenced by physical and mental

conditions such as fatigue, intoxication, illness,
nervousness, age of the writer

 The quantity of writing prepared in the course of time

 CLASSES OF QUESTIONED SIGNATURES

1.Genuine signatures which the writer

refuses to admit as genuine.

2.Genuine signatures deliberately modified

(disguised writing)
DISGUISED SIGNATURES – a writer
deliberately try to alter his usual writing
habits in hopes of hiding his identity.

3. Forged signatures
FORGERY - How forgery is committed under 168 of RPC?
•By giving a treasury or banknote or any instrument payable to the bearer or to
order mentioned therein, the appearance of a true and genuine document.
•By erasing, substituting, counterfeiting or altering by any means the figures,
words or signs contained therein.

ELEMENT OF FORGERY
1. It must be shown that writing was falsely made or altered. It must be shown
by the document examiner by comparison of the signature with the true
signature which it purports to be. The forged instrument itself should be
produced.

2. LEGAL LIABILITY – The signatures of writing must be in a nature which

would, if genuine, impose a legal liability on another or changes his legal
rights or liability to his prejudice.

3. IDENTIFY OF THE FORGER – It must be shown that it was the accused who
falsely made or altered the writing or who knowingly offered or issued the
false instrument.

4. INTENT TO DEFRAUD – the intent to defraud another must be shown. It

need not be directed to a particular person or for advantages of the offender.
The intent can be inferred from the act. It must be shown that the suspect
knew that the instrument/document/ bank note he is offering are forgery.
1.Simple forgery (Spurious signature) - Forged signature
without the attempt to copy a genuine model, this kind of
forgery is easily detected as fraudulent in view of the fact
that is widely different from the genuine or even in general
appearance alone.

MODEL SIGNATURE – a genuine signatures that has been

used to prepare an imitated or traced forgery.

2. Traced Forgery – This means following the outline of

genuine signatures. This are generally created by one of four
methods; transmitted light, carbon intermediate, pressure
indented image, and tracing paper technique.

3.SIMULATED FORGERY (FREE-HAND FORGERY) – An act

of simulating or imitating the genuine signatures. It used by
forgers who have a certain skill in writing, after some practice,
the forger tries to write a copy of the model quickly
 KINDS OF TRACED FORGERY

1. CARBON PROCESS (CARBON OUTLINE) – It denotes that the forgery

interleaves a carbon paper between the genuine signatures (top sheet) and
the document intended to be forged (bottom sheet). The outline of the
model or genuine signatures is traced with a dry pen or any sharp pointed
instrument with considerable pressure to make a carbon out line on the
fraudulent document.

2. INDENTATION PROCESS – is that type whereby indentations of canal-

like outlines of the genuine signatures is produced by the fraudulent
document (bottom sheet) by tracing the outline of the genuine signatures
(top sheet) with considerable pressure with any sharp pointed instrument.
The indented first retraced with pencil very lightly before it is finally
“inked-in”.

3. TRANSMITTED LIGHT PROCESS – fraudulent document is placed

immediately above the genuine document (signature) and with strong light
directed through the two super imposed sheets of paper from under with
transparent glass used as writing surface, the outline which is seen thru the
upper sheet is then traced with any suitable writing instrument.
 INDICATION OF FORGERY
1. Hesitation and pen stops at un usual places.
HESITATION – irregular thickening of the inked line when the writing is slow
down or stops while a penman takes stocks of the position.
2. Abrupt changes of direction of lines or strokes, showing uncertainty of movement.
3. Concealed joining
4. Blunt initial and terminal strokes.
BLUNT – is the beginning or ending stroke of the letter both small and capital
letter in which the pen touched the paper with out hesitation, beard, hitch or
knob.
5. Misplaced shadings
6. Lack of variation in pen pressure
7. Defective line quality – presence of tremors, re-touching and poor line quality.
LINE QUALITY – the over all character of the inked line from the beginning to
the ending strokes.
8. Careful patching or re-touching
PATCHING (re-touching) – going back over a defective portion of a writing
stroke. Careful patching is a common defect in forgeries.
9. Un-natural tremors
TREMORS – a writing weakness portrayed by irregular and shaky strokes.
10. Presence of carbon, pencil or indentations along the lines of strokes.
11. Un-natural pen-lifts.
PEN-LIFTS – an interpretation in a stroke caused by removing the writing
instrument from the paper.
12. Drawn quality and devoid of free and normal writing movement.
 CHARACTERISTIC OF GENUINE SIGNATURES

 Degree of Skill - genuine signature even if showing tremors will show some
free connecting and terminal strokes.
SKILL – in any act there are relative degrees of ability or skill. It refers to the
writer’s proficiency in the art of writing.

 Firmness of strokes - In genuine signatures hesitation and pen- stops are in

natural places.
STROKE STRUCTURES – series of lines or curves of the individual letters of
alphabet.

 Habitual Speed of Writing - Even in slow and unskillful signatures, there is

consistency in speed.
SPEED OF WRITING – not everyone writes at the same rate so that
consideration of the speed of writing maybe a significant identifying element.
Writing speed cannot be measured precisely from the finished handwriting but
can be interpreted in broad term as slow, moderate or rapid

 Fundamental Muscular Movement - In genuine signatures the upward stroke

show more smoothness and freedom than the downward strokes.
5. PATTERN OF SHADING AND PEN EMPHASIS
SHADING – A widening of the ink stroke due to added pressure on
a flexible pen point or the use of a stub pen.
PEN EMPHASIS – An act of intermittently forcing the pen against
the paper surfaces with increased pressure. When the pen point has
flexibility this emphasis produces shading but with more rigid
writing point such as ball point pens heavy pen emphasis can occur
in writing without any evidence of shading.

6. PRESENCE OF NATURAL VARIATIONS - no two signatures of an

individual are exactly a like.

7. COORDINATION, CONTINUITY AND RHYTHM

RHYTHM – is the following succession of motion, which are
recorded or the harmonious recurrence of stress or impulse. It maybe
classed as smooth, intermittent or jerky in its quality

8.CARELESSNESS
 SPECIMEN TO BE SUBMITTED FOR THE SIGNATURES EXAMINATION
1. Original document
2. Contemporaneous date of the standard signatures maximum of five (5) years
before and after the execution of questioned signatures;
3. At least eight (8) standard signatures appearing at different documents.
4. Similar style/kinds of signatures, i.e. Conventional to conventional; highly
individualize to highly individualize.
STANDARD OR EXEMPLARS
STANDARD – known writings which indicate how a person writes

STANDARD – a condensed and compact sett of authentic specimens which, if

adequate and proper, should contain a true cross section of the material from a
known source. They are used by the document examiner as the basis for his
identification or non- identification of the questioned document as fro example
the known handwriting which serves to establish who wrote the disputed
letter.

SAMPLE – a selected, representative portion of the whole, these terms follows

closely the statistical usage.

REFERRENCE SELECTION – material compiled and organized by document

examiner to assist him in answering special questions. Reference collection of
type writing, check writer specimen, ink, pencil and paper frequently
maintained.
 CLASSES OF HANDWRITING STANDARDS
1. COLLECTED STANDARD – known handwriting of a
person written in the course of his daily life, business,
social or personal affairs such as signatures and
endorsement on cancelled check, commercial, official,
public and private documents and letters.
2. REQUESTED STANDARD – signatures or other writings
written by individual upon the request of the investigator
for purposes of comparison with other handwritings,
hand printing and signatures.
3. POST LITEM MOTAM Exemplars – Writings produced
by the subject after evidential writings have come into
dispute and solely for the purpose of establishing his
contentions
Court room demonstration where the writer gives a
sample which a checked within an hour to a day or more
by the questioned document examination expert.
 BASIS OF HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

1. RECOGNITION OF HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS - one must

acquire the ability to distinguish what are the style and individual
characteristics which are normal and disguised.

2. COMPARISON OF HANDWRITING CHARCTERISTICS – make

allowances for the presence of natural variation in handwriting.

3. EVALUATION OF HANDWRITING CHARCATERISTICS FOR OPINION

PURPOSE – Evaluate the significance and number of similarities and
dissimilarities in handwriting.

MOVEMENT - An important element of handwriting, it embraced all the

factors related to the motion of the writing instrument – skill, speed,
freedom, hesitation, rhythm, pen emphasis, tremor and the like. The
manner in which the writing instrument is moved, that s finger, hand. Or
arm action may influence each of these factors.
 BASIS OF HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

1. RECOGNITION OF HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS - one must

acquire the ability to distinguish what are the style and individual
characteristics which are normal and disguised.

2. COMPARISON OF HANDWRITING CHARCTERISTICS – make

allowances for the presence of natural variation in handwriting.

3. EVALUATION OF HANDWRITING CHARCATERISTICS FOR OPINION

PURPOSE – Evaluate the significance and number of similarities and
dissimilarities in handwriting.

MOVEMENT - An important element of handwriting, it embraced all the

factors related to the motion of the writing instrument – skill, speed,
freedom, hesitation, rhythm, pen emphasis, tremor and the like. The
manner in which the writing instrument is moved, that s finger, hand. Or
arm action may influence each of these factors.
 KINDS OF MOVEMENT
1, FINGER MOVEMENT – method of writing in which the letters are made almost
entirely by the action of the thumb and the first and second fingers. It is usually
employed by children and illiterates.
2. HAND MOVEMENT – produced in most part by the whole hand.
3. FOREARM MOVEMENT – writing produced mainly from the shoulder; but it is
the movement of the hand and arm supported at a desk.
4. WHOLE ARM MOVEMENT - writings using the whole arm usually employed in
large writing , ornamental pen ship And blackboard writing.
CLASSIFICATION OF MOVEMENT
1. As to quality
a. clumsy, illiterate and halting
b. hesitating and painful due to weakness/illness
c. strong, heavy and forceful
d. nervous, and irregular
e. smooth, flowing and rapid
2. As to speed
a. Slow and drawn
b. deliberate
c. average
d. rapid
 SUGGESTED STEPS IN THE EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURES

Step 1 – Place the questioned document and the standard document in a juxta
position (side by side) for a simultaneous viewing of the various elements and
characteristics.

Step 2 – The first element to be considered is MOVEMENT employed or

manner of execution (slow, deliberate, rapid, etc.) the fundamental difference
existing between a genuine signatures and almost perfect forgery is in the
manner of execution.

Step 3 – Second element to examine is quality of line, presence of tremors,

smooth fluent or hesitant. Defect in line quality is only appreciated when
simultaneous viewing is made
LINE QUALITY – A term characterizing the visible record in the written
stroke of the basic movement and manner of holding the writing instrument. It is
derived from the combination factors including writing skill, speed, rhythm,
freedom of movement and pen position.
PEN POSITION – The relationship between the pen point and the paper
specifically the angle between the nibs of the pen and the paper surface are the
elements of pen position.
TREMORS – writing weakness portrayed by irregular shaky strokes.
 KINDS OF TREMORS
A. Natural Tremors – fine tremors
a. tremors of illness/aged
b. tremors of illiteracy
c. tremors of nervousness
B. Tremor of Fraud
CHARACTERISTIC OF TREMOR OF FRAUD
1. In equality in movement at any place in any strokes or line with strokes too strong
and vigorous combined with eaweak, hesitating strokes.
2. Frequent interruption of movement
3. Un equal distribution of ink on upward and downward strokes.
4. Varying pen pressure, due to change in speed and interruption in movement,
which may occur in the middle of direct curves or even in what should be straight
line
5. Too many pen-lifts and pen-lifts on wrong places.

Step 4 – Examine the beginning and ending strokes lines, they are very significant.
Determine whether the appearance is blunt, club-shaped, tampered or vanishing.
INITIAL STROKE – this refer to the starting stroke in handwriting
ENDING OR TERMINAL STROKE – the last or vanishing stroke in a signature
 EXAMPLES IF INITIAL AND TERMINAL STROKE

1. BEARD – a rudimentary curved initial strokes

2. BLUNT – beginning or ending of stroke of letter both small and capital in which
the pen touched the paper without hesitation, beard, hitch or knob
3. KNOB – extra deposit of ink in the initial and terminal strokes due to withdrawal
of the pen from the paper. Rounded appearance at the beginning or ending
strokes.
4. HITCH – the introductory backward strokes added to the beginning and ending
of many capital letters or small letters.
5. HOOK – the bend, crook, curve on the inner side of the bottom of the loop or
curve of a small letter.
6. SPUR – short horizontal beginning stroke.
7. BLUNT TERMINAL STROKE – terminal stroke diminishes abruptly
8. TAMPERING TERMINAL STROKES (FLYING) – the width of the strokes
diminishes abruptly

Step 5 – Design and stroke of the letter determine the roundness, smoothness,
angularity and direction. Each individual letter has a different concept of letter
design
STROKE STRUCTURE – series of lines , curves and angles of individual
letters of the alphabet.
FORM – most basic of individual characteristic from is the pictorial
representation of a letter or writing movement.
BODY – part of the letter ordinarily form by small circle that usually lies on
the line of writing as bodies.
HUMP – the rounded outside top of a bend crook or curve in a small letters.
BUCKLE KNOT – the horizontal loop that are often used to complete such
letter as A, B, H and K.
EYE LOOP or EYE LET – the small loop formed by stroke that extends in
divergent direction.
MAIN STROKE OR SHANK STEM – downward stroke of any letter
ASCENDER – top portion of a letter on the upper loop
ARCH – is the bend, crook or curve in the inner side of the loop.
LIGATURE – a stroke connecting two letter.
MINUSCULE – a small letter
MAJUSCULE – a capital letter
SPLICING – slight overlapping of two strokes after an interruption in the
writing. It may be a part of imitated, fraudulent signatures that are prepared
one or two letters at a time.
 KINDS OF STROKE STRUCTURE
1. Initial stroke
2. Connecting stroke
a. circular
b. angular
c. elliptical
3. Terminal stroke – final stroke

Step 6 – Look for the presence of retouching or patching

RETOUCHING (PATCHING) – going back over a defective portion of a writing
stroke. Careful patching is a common defect in forgeries.
RETRACING - any stoke that goes back over another writing stroke. In natural
writing there are maybe instances in which the pen doubles back over the same
course but some retracing in fraudulent signatures represent as re-working of a
letter form or stroke.

Step 7 – Connecting strokes, slant, size, lateral spacing

SLANT – an angle or inclination of the axis of letters relative to the base line
BASELINE – the ruled or imaginary line upon which the writing rests.
ALIGNMENT – is the relation of parts of the whole line in writing, or line of
individual letter/s. Arrangement of words relative to the base line
 KINDS OF ALIGNMENT
A. On the line
B. Above the line
C. Below the line
D. Ascending
E. Descending

SIZE – relation between the tall and short letters

HABIT – Any repeated element or detail that may serve to individualize
writing
HIATUS – special form of pen-lift, distinguishable in that a perceptible
gap appear in writing, through sometimes hiatus are caused by failure
of ink register on a paper due to speed of writing movement.

Step 8 – Do not rely so much in the similarity or difference of the capital

letters, for these are often changed according to the whim of the writer.
 KINDS OF HANDWRITING
1. CUTSIVE – writing in which the letters are for the most joined together
2. SCRIPT – disconnected and combination of capital and small letters
3. BLOCK OR PRINTED – disconnected and purely capital letters

EXAMPLES OF HANDWRITING
A. Anonymous letter
B. Threat letter
C. Extortion letter
D. Suicide notes

POINTS TO CONSIDER IN EXAMINATON OF EXTENDED WRITING

1. Uniformity
2. Irregularities
3. Size and proportion
4. Alignment
5. Spacing
6. Degree of slant
7. Weight of strokes
8. T- bars and I dots
9. The needle, the wedge, the round, the flat
10. Loops
11. Circle formation/s 12. Initial and final strokes
 COMMON TERMS AND
DESCRIPTION
1. ARC or ARCH
-Any arcade form in the body of the letter.
2. BEARD
-A rudimentary curved initial strokes usually in
capital letters.
3. BLUNT ENDING/BEGINNING
-Blunt ending and initial strokes are result of the
drawing process in forgery.
4. BUCKLE KNOT
-The horizontal and looped strokes that are often
used to complete such letter.
5. CENTRAL PART or BODY
-The part of a letter ordinarily formed by a small
circle that usually lies on the line of writing.
6. EYE LOOP or EYELET
-The small loop formed by the strokes that extend
in divergent directions.
7. FOOT OF THE LETTER or OVAL
-The lower portion of any down strokes that
terminates on the baseline.
8. DIACRITIC
-An element added to complete certain letters.
9. HITCH
-The introductory backward stroke added to the
beginning or ending of many capital letters or
small letters.
10. HOOK or THROUGH
-The bend, crook, or curve on the inner side of the bottom
loop or curve of a small letter. A minute and involuntary
talon – like formation often found at the commencement of
an initial stroke, upstroke, or at the end of the terminal.
11. HUMP
-The rounded outside top of the bend, crook, or
curve in small letters.
12. SPUR
-Short horizontal beginning stroke.
13. KNOB
-Rounded appearance of the beginning or ending
stroke.
15. WHIRL
-The upward stroke usually on letters that have
long loops.
14. MAIN STROKE or SHANK STEM
-Downward strokes of any letter.
16. SPACE FILLER or TERMINAL SPUR
-An upward horizontal or downward final stroke
usually seen in small letters.
EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS HIS/HER OWN CONCEPT OF
WRITING A LETTER; NOW LET US EXAMINE THE
LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET.

1. Examination of letter is similar to

the examination of the oval letters

a. Consider each oval as clock face; it is closed
at 11:00, 12:00, and 1:00 o’clock?
b. Is the oval completely closed in its upper
aspect or is there a general tendency to leave a
tiny gap?
c. Are initial upstrokes present? Do these start
from the baseline? Above or below?
d. What is the height of its terminal stroke?
2. Examination of letters
a. Is the staff straight, bowed or curved?
b. Is the staff looped or retraced?
c. Is there an eyelet at its junction of spur?
d. Examine its final stroke as to the curve, and angle
with the baseline.
3. Examine the letters f, g, j, y, q, z.

a. As to its lower projection – does it form a

loop or hook?
b. Was it done on a straight line?
c. Does its terminal stroke reach the baseline?
4. Examination of i and j.

a. Determine the average position of the i-dot:

Is it on top of the letter?
b. Is it at its left or right position of the letter, in what
form?
c. What is its form?
5. Examine of the letters m, n and h.

a. Is the hump rounded/archaded? Pointed?

b. Where is the foot located? On the baseline, above
the baseline, below the baseline?
c. What is its initial stroke formed? Its terminal.
6. Examination of letters u, w, y and v.

a. Examine the height of the two points.

do they have

same sizes?
b. Examine the shape of the letter.

is It garlanded?

angular or pointed?

wedge? (between
angular and garlanded)
c. Is there an initial upstroke? What is its shape?
7. Examination of letter C.

a. Is there an initial upstroke?

b. Note the position of the main curve in relation to
the baseline.
c. Examine its terminal stroke.
8. Examination of letters e and L.

a. Examine the development of its curve, which

is flatter?
b. Is the initial upstroke straight or curved?
c. Where is the height of its intersection? (On the
baseline? Above the baseline? Or below?)
9. Examination of letters O and P.

a. Does the letter begin with an initial upstroke?

b. Does it form an eye?
c. At what point does the oval close?
10. Examination of letter R.

a. Is there an initial upstroke? What is its form?

b. What is the size of its shoulder? Is it the same, one
is higher, or it has one shoulder?
c. Where is the foot located in relation to the
baseline?
11. Examination of letter S.

a. Where is its initial stroke located in relation to the

baseline? On, above or below?
b. In what form is the initial stroke? Straight line or
spur, with a hitch or with a hook?
c. Is it top pointed, with eyelet?
12. Examination of letter T.

a. As to the position of its initial stroke – straight or

curved?
b. Examine the position of the terminal stroke, is it
straight, curved?
c. The T-crossing, is the left and right equal in size, is
one short, other long, is it only at the left or right
side?
d. Where is the crossing placed? On top or above Its
stem, or at the middle? Determine also the terminal
stroke, with hitch or hook.
13. Examination of letter V.

a. Is there an initial stroke? In what form? Hitch, curve or

hook?
b. Its foot with regards to the baseline. What is its
form? Pointed, rounded or wedge?
c. The terminal stroke? Where is it?
14. Examination of letter X.
a. Point of intersection – is it at the middle, below the
middle, below the position, at its upper portion?
b. What is its formation – with curve at its upper
position, with an eyelet at the foot and upper
position?
c. With a unique shape.
TYPEWRITER IDENTIFICATION
•Single Element Typewriter – Typewriter using either a type ball or type wheel
printing device. The IBM selection machine was the first modern typewriter of the
group.

•Word Processing Unit – Any typewriter or other printing unit that is combined
with a memory system and is thus capable of automatic typewriting pr repetitive
typewriting of certain matter. Materiel can be stored on disks, tapes or memory
chips.

•Escapement – The spacing along the line of typewriting, that is, the basic letter
spacing also termed pitch.

•Character – In connection with typewriting identification, letters, symbols,

numerals and points of punctuation.

•Platen – The cylinder that serves as the backing for the paper and absorbs the
blow from the typeface.

•Type Ball – A device containing all the typefaces of some single element
typewriters and which by rotation and tilting prints the type.

•Type Element – The type ball or type wheel of a single element typewriter.
•Type Wheel – In modern use, series of characters mounted on flexible
arms around a circular core. The wheel rotates to position each type
which is printed by a plunger striking against the back of the typeface
forcing it against the ribbon and the paper.

•Clogged Typeface – With use the typefaces become filled with tint, dirt,
and ink, particularly in enclosed letters such as “o”, “e”, “p”, and “g”. If
this condition is allowed to progress without cleaning, there comes a time
when the written impressions actually print with the clogged areas
shaded or solid back.

•Off-its-feet – The condition of a typeface printing heavier on one side or

corner than the remainder of its outline

•Typeface – The printing surface of the type block or type element. On the
type bar machine the type block is attached on arm, known as the type
bar.

•Twisted Letter – Each character is designed to print at a certain fixed

angle to the baseline. Wear and damage to the type bars and the type
block may cause some letters to become twisted so that they lean to the
right or left of their correct slant.
•Carbon Impression – Any typewriting placed on the paper
by the action of the typefaces striking through carbon paper.
Generally, carbon impressions are “carbon copies” but
sometimes original typewriting is made directly through a
carbon paper film ribbon.

•Ribbon Impression – Typewriting made directly through a

cloth carbon film is called ribbon impression. Original
typewriting is made in this way.

•Ribbon Condition – Cloth or multiple-use typewriter

ribbons gradually deteriorate with use, and the degree of
deterioration is a measure of the ribbon condition.
 CLASS CHARCTERISTIC IN TYPEWRITING
1. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS – Characteristic common to a group.
example; same type face, same design
2. ACCIDENTAL CHARACTERISTICS – these are what we call the defects of the
typewriter.
DEFECTS – any abnormality or mal-adjustment in a typewriter that is reflected
in its works and lead to its individualization or identification
MACHINE DEFECTS – any defect in typewriting resulting from the
malfunctioning of the machine rather than the type bar or type element.
ALIGNMENT DEFECT- characters that write improperly in the following
respects; a twisted letter; horizontal mal-alignment; vertical mal-alignment or a
character “off its feet”. These defects can be corrected by special adjustments to
the type block on A type bar machine
PERMANENT DEFECT – any identifying characteristics of a typewriter that
cannot be corrected by simply clearing the type face or replacing the ribbon.
Actually this term is not absolutely accurate, since all defects in typewriters
undergo modification and change with time.
A. MECHANICAL DEFECTS
1. Irregular left margin
2. Regular mal alignment of some letters (vertical and horizontal)
VERTIVAL MAL ALIGMENT–the result of a character printing above or
below its proper position
HORIZONTAL MAL ALIGNMENT – An alignment defect in which the
character prints to the rights or left of its proper position.
3. Irregular horizontal alignment due to uneven grip of the platen.

B. TYPE FACE DEFECTS – any peculiarity in typerwriting results from

actual damage to the type face metal. An actual break in the outline of the
letter where metal is chipped away and distorted.
1. Battered type face defect
2. OFF ITS FEET – the condition of a type face printing heavier on one
side or corner that the remainder of its outline.
3. Titled to the right or tilted to the left.
4. REBOUND OF LETTERS – a defect in which a character prints a
double impression with the lighter one slight offset to the right or left.
5. Missing Serif
6. Uneven pressure of letters

C. TRANSITORY DEFECT – An identifying type writer characteristic that

can be eliminated by cleaning the machine or replacing the ribbon .
Clogged face are the most common defects of this class.
1. Filling up of hollow of letters a, e, g, p, q, from debris of ribbon.
2. Dirty type faces (clogged type faces)
3. Worn ribbon.
PICA TYPE FACE – type face impression ordinarily spaced ten (10)
characters to the horizontal inch.

ELITE TYPE FACE – type face impression ordinarily spaced twelve (12)
character to the horizontal inch.

ACTUAL BREAKAGE – any peculiarity of type writing caused by actual

damage to the type face , metal which maybe actual breakage in the line of
the letters.

CHEQUE WRITING MACHINE – a devise which is extended to prevent

either erasure or alteration of the entire cheque.

ENGRAVED PRINTING – letterhead and other matter that are printed

from a metal plate containing an etched design, for example with this type
of work the ink is slightly raised above the surface of the paper.

LITHOGRAPHIC OR OFFSET PRINTING – printing from a smooth

surface plate that has been treated so that the printing areas are ink
attracting and the non-printing areas are ink repelling. Originally the
process used a smooth stone surface but today most offset printing is
prepared from specially treated zinc or paper plates.
 COMPUTER PRINT OUT CLASSES OF HIGH SPEED
PRINTERS
1. MATRIX PRINTER – distinctive, forming letters and numerical as
pattern as pattern of DOTS by a series of printing rods. The design of
characters and their defective elements permit the identification of a
particular matrix type

2. IMPACT PRINTER – single element type head, similar to selective

type ball or wheel type printer, chain printer and the drum, IBM and
Univac use the type ball units.

3. NON-IMPACT PRINTER – Xerox and Diablo use a flywheel with type

face attached to short plastic or mental arms.
 ALTERATION
Are the change in the writing made by
the party thereto, or by some person
entitled there under after the instrument
has been executed.
- Such changes is made without the
consent of other party interested and give
the instrument a different effect from that
where it originally possessed.
 KINDS OF ALTERATION

1. ERASURE
- Removal of writing, typewriting or printing from a
document.
Mechanical or Abrasive erasure
- The writing is effaced by rubbing with a rubber
erasure or scratching out with a knife or other sharp
instrument.
- Is usually made w/ a knife, rubber erasure or fine
memory paper that will injure the paper. When the paper
surface is damaged the paper become porous and the ink
will penetrate the fiber
b. Chemical Erasure
-The writing is effaced by the use of liquid ink
eradicator.
- Chemical eradicator are made in solution
which bleach the color out of ink, making the
writing appear invisible.
- Frequently the eradicator can be detected by
the peculiar odor removing in the paper or with
litmus paper which reveal evidence of tampering.
- A chemical alteration may sometimes be detected
by the appearance of a pale yellow stains or a
slight discoloration around the suspected
alteration/changes
CHEMICAL ALTERATION
ADDITION
- Any matter made a part of the document
after its original preparation. When there is
sufficient space between the word or at the
end of a sentence to permit the insertion or
addition of a single letter or word or a
punctuation mark, such alteration may
change the impart of the entire document of
its monetary value
ADDITION
SUBTRACTION/ CANCELLATION
- Any matter out, strike out or scratched out after
out its original preparation.

- An alteration by cancellation is occasionally found

in a document of importance such as will, deed or
contract where the writer intends to eliminate a
word, name or sentence without the necessity of
rewriting the entire matter. The writer draws lines
vertical or horizontal lines through the writing
having the effect of cancellation.
INTERLINEATION or INSERTION
The term “insertion” and “interlineations”
include the addition of writing and other material
between lines or paging or the addition of whole
pages to a document.

- The writing between the lines of an instrument

for the purpose of adding apart to it or correcting
what has been written
DECIPHERMENT
- The process of making out what is illegible or
what has been effaced. Decipherment refers to the
process of reading or making out the material, which
is illegible without actually developing or restoring
the original writing on the document itself
DECIPHERMENT
Blank paper - A sheet of paper that contains no visible or readily visible writing.
At times a blank paper may contain impressed or latent writing that can be
made legible with proper treatment.

Charred Documents - A document that has become blackened and brittle

through burning or through exposure or through exposure to excessive heat.
Decipherment - The process of making out what is illegible or what has been
effaced. Process of reading or interpreting the erased or obliterated material that
is illegible without actually developing or restoring the original writing on the
document itself.

Efface - To rub out, to strike or scratch out, or to erase.

Erasure - The removal of writing, typewriting or printing from a document. It

maybe accomplished by either of two means, a chemical eradication in which the
writing removed or bleached by chemical agents, e.g. Liquid ink eradicator, or
an abrasive erasure in which the writing is effected by rubbing, with a rubber
erasure or scratching out with a knife.
A. CHEMICAL ERADICATION – in which the writing removed or bleached by
chemical agents. e.g liquid ink eradicator.
B. MECHANICAL ERASURE (ABRAISIVE ERASURE) – in which the writing is
effected by rubbing , with a rubber eraser or scratching out with a knife.

INSERTION – the addition of writing and other material with in a document

such as between lines or paragraphs or the addition of whole pages to a
document.

INTERLINEATION – the act of inserting writing or type writing between two

lines of writing.

Obliteration - The blotting out or smearing over a of writing to make the

original invisible or undecipherable.

Restoration - Any process in which erased writing is developed or brought out

again on the document itself.

Sequence of Strokes - The order in which writing strokes are placed on the
paper.

Smeared over Writing - An obliteration accompanied by covering the original

writing with an opaque substance.
 DOCUMENT ALTERATION TOOLS
1. BALL POINT PEN
- A ballpoint pen uses an ink cartridge that contains colored, solid particles
suspended in a semi-liquid solution and this type of pen ink does not
“bleed” on the paper.
-A writing instruments which has its marking tips as a small freely
rotating ball bearing which roll the ink in the paper.

2. BLEEDER PEN
- A “bleeder” pen uses an ink cartridge that also contains minute,
colored, solid particles , but these are suspended in a watery solution and
this type of pen ink does not “bleed” on the paper.

3. GEL PEN
- A gel pen uses an ink cartridge that contains minute, colored , solid
particles' suspended in a gelatinous , liquid solution and this type of pen in
not only “Bleeds” it also smear on the paper.
Ink - A colored fluid or viscous marking material used for writing or printing.

Secret Ink- A material used for writing which is not visible until treated by some
developing process or substances can serve or sympathetic ink.

Synthetic dye inks - Any ink consisting simply of a dye dissolved in water
together with the necessary preservatives. Various dyes are used in commercial ink
manufacture today. The aniline dyes were the first of these, and some writers still
refer to inks of this class as “Aniline Inks”. .

Blue- black Ink - The class fluid ink that writes blue and darkness with age to a
neutral gray or black. It contains a blue dye, but the permanent marking
substances are almost- color less iron tennates and gallates which gradually darken
after exposure to air. Ink - A colored fluid or viscous marking material used for
writing or printing.

Secret Ink- A material used for writing which is not visible until treated by some
developing process or substances can serve or sympathetic ink.
Carbon Ink - Inks of the carbon class, consisting of finely ground carbon particles
suspended in water. Their manufacture dates from antiquity and they are still used
as drawing inks and very occasionally as writing inks.

Dye Inks - Also synthetic dye inks.

Iron tannate or Iron - base ink- also blue- black ink.

Non aqueous ink - Ink in which the pigment or dye is carried in any vehicle
other than water. Inks of this class are found in ball point pens, typewriting
ribbons and stamp pads, and are widely used in the printing industry.

SECRET INK - a material used for writing which is not visible until treated by
some developing process or substances can serve as a secret or sympathetic ink.

INDIAN INK – oldest from of indian ink consisted of a suspension of carbon

black (soot or lamp black) in water to which glue or a vegetable gum was added.

LOGWOOD INK – now obsolete and no longer manufactured. They were made
from an aqueous ink extract of logwood chips and potassium chromate. These inks
will be found only on old documents.
IRON GALLOTANATE INKS – it is corrosive because of its acid reaction. Inks
with low iron
content are put on the market as SCHOOL INK. A writing ink with a very high
iron gallotanate content (.5 to .6) is sometimes called DOCUMENT INK.

FOUNTAIN PEN INKS – these inks are regarded as special fountain pen inks and
consisting
Ordinary iron gallotanate inks. This type of ink placed on the market under the
name of BLUE-BLACK permanent, Parker Quick Permanent, Pelikan Fullha
(tertinate).

DYESTUFF INKS – these are composed of aqueous solution of synthetic dyestuff

to which a preservative and a flux are added. The writing qualities of the ink are
improved by addition of substance such as glycerol, glucose or dextrin.

WATER RESISTANT, WRITING and DRAWING INKS – these inks are special
group of dyestuff inks. Sometimes the pigment suspension is combined with acid
or basic dyestuff.
ALKALINE WRITING INKS – these are quick inks which possesses a of from 9
to about 11. they penetrate quickly into the paper. The best known of these inks
are the PARKER SUPERCHROME INKS, which in the color black, blue-black,
blue, red and green.

STAMP PAD INKS – they are made with the aid of substances such as glycerol,
glycol, acetone or benzyl alcohol and water. Aniline dyes are added as coloring
matter. Through the addition of tannin, the stamp impression becomes water
resistant after drying
HECTOGRAPH INKS – these inks very much resemble stamp
pad inks are exclusively made with basic dyes.

TYPEWRITER RIBBON INKS – these inks are usually

composed of a blend of aniline dyes, carbon black and an oil
such as olein re caster oil.

PRINTING INKS – consists of a mixture of colored pigments,

carbon black and a base which may consist of oil, resins,
synthetic resins or a mixture of these.

CANCELLING INKS – it often contain carbon. This can be

usually detected by infra-red photograph which will reveal the
traces of carbon, which almost invariably remain to the stamp.

SKRIP INK – it is manufactured by a W.A. Sheaffer Pen

Company since 1955.
 WRITING INSTRUMENT

Pencil - A writing instrument in which the marking portion consist of a

compressed stick of graphite or colored marking substances usually mixed
with days and waxes.

Pencil grade - A qualitative description of the hardness or softness of a

pencil, that is how dark a stroke it is capable of making.

Colored pencil - A pencil whose marking pigment is not black

Copy pencil - A pencil whose marking substances consist of a mixture of

graphite and an aniline dye. When the pencil stroke is moistened the dye
develops into a strong purple or, in some case, a blue color. The developed
stroke is more difficult to erase than ordinary writing. Some refer to this kind
of writing instrument as an indelible pencil.

Indelible ink - See copy pencil

Pen - Any writing instrument used to apply inks to the paper.

Pen nib - One of two divisions or points that form the writing portion of a dip pen
or fountain pen.

Porous tip pen - A modern writing instrument in w/c the marking element or
point consist of a porous material through which the ink can flow. These pens are
commonly known as fiber tip of felt tip pens or maybe referred to as oft tip pens.

Felt tip pen - see porous tip pen

Fiber tip pen - also porous tip pen

Ball point pen - A writing instrument having as its marking tip a small, truly
rotating ball bearing that rolls the ink onto the paper. Many of these pens use a
highly viscous, non aqueous ink, but in recent years construction of some pens has
been adapted to use water- based inks.

Hard point pen - A modern writing instrument in which the point is a perforated
plastic unit. It uses as water- based ink and produces a stroke similar to the porous
tip pen, but is capable of making carbon copies like a ball point or roller pen.

Fountain Pen - A modern nib pen containing a reservoir of ink in a specially

designed chamber or cartridge. After complete filling the pen maybe used to write a
number of pages without refilling.
Flexibility of pen point - A quality of the nib pen that varies with different pens
and can be measured by the amount of pressure necessary to cause a spreading of
the nibs or given degree of shading.

Roller pen - A type of ball point pen that uses aqueous ink.

Quill Pen - Writing instrument made from the writing feathers of the goose and
swan.

Surface Texture of paper - The surface of any sheet of paper when viewed under
magnification is not absolutely smooth and flat, but irregular and rough. Surface
Texture described this property.

Paper - A material manufactured in thin sheets from the pulp of wood or other
fibrous substances used for writing or drawing or drawing.

Papyrus - A writing material prepared in ancient Egypt from the pithy stems of
papyrus plant.
Parchment - An animal skin (goat or sheep) prepared as a writing or printing
material. Earliest writing instrument of gravity leading of ink.

Vellum- Parchment made from young calves and kids.

Paper Analysis - The application of chemicals on the paper to determine its

component whether or not it came from the same source.

Safety paper - The term is applied to paper which has been treated in such way to
minimize the chances of successful forgery by erasure whether mechanical or
chemical being carried out in any document which forms the basis.

Surface Texture of paper - the surface of any sheet of paper when viewed under
magnification is not absolutely smooth and flat, but irregular and rough. Surface
texture describes the property.

Look through of paper – the appearance of paper when viewed by transmitted

light, thus disclosing the texture or information of the sheet.
 PHOTOGRAPHS
AND
OTHER REPRODUCTION
Micro photograph - Copies at a greatly reduced scale on small film sizes. They
are used in certain commercial record system. Throughout this text the term
designates copies made on 35mm and smaller film sizes. The line of
demarcation has been chosen arbitrary and may not necessarily agree with
views of other writers.

Photo micrographs - A photograph made trough a compound microscope and

maybe a greatly enlarged image of a small area. A similarly enlarged
photograph maybe prepared with only a lens of very short focal length and is
accurately termed a photo macrograph.

Photo micro graphy - This is a containing photographic magnification of a

minute object by using camera attached to a compound microscope. The camera
lens is removed because the microscope lens forms the image.

Photo Macrography – this is the process of obtaining a magnified photograph of

small object without the use of microscope but by using short lens (macro lens)
and a long billow extension.
Photographic negative - The transparency produced when black and white film is
exposed in a camera then developed. The term is derived from the appearance and
the transparency in which the areas of the original appear the darkest or most
opaque, while the darkest portions of the original are almost clear. With color film
the light- dark reversal is coupled with a change of colors to the complements of
those in the original material.

Photographic – positive - print made by passing light through the negative

generally unto photographic paper. In this print the tonal values are directly
proportional to those of the original, that is light areas of the original appear light
and dark areas dark.

Photostat - A commercial reproduction in which a negative copy while writing on a

black background, is made directly on photosensitive paper. The process employs a
special camera equipped with a lens and inverting prism.

Cut-out Exhibit – A photographic exhibit made up of words and letter cut from
photographs of different documents and arranged side by side. Some writers refer to
those

Display Exhibit – a photographic court exhibit designed to be held and examined by

the individual juror or a pair of jurors.
Projection Prints – a print made by focusing light
from the negative on the printing paper by beans of
a lens system. These positive are generally
enlargement

Prints – a photographic positive

 COUNTERFEITING
PERTINENT LAWS AND REGULATINS TO PROTECTS AND MAINTAIN
THE INTEGRITY OF THE CURRENCY
1. Art. 163, Revised Penal Code (RPC) – making and importing and uttering
(issuing or circulating) false coins.
2. Art. 166. Revised Penal Code (RPC) – forging treasury or bank note on other
documents payable to bearer, importing and uttering such false or forged
notes and document.
3. Art. 168, Revised Penal code (RPC) – illegal possession and use of false
treasury or bank notes and other instruments of credit
4. Art 176, RPC – Manufacturing and possession of instrument or implements
for falsification.
5. PD 247 – Defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning or destruction of central
bank notes and coins (BSP)
6. Chapter 11, Circular 61, Series of 1995 – Production and or use of facsimile of
legal tender Philippines Currency Notes.
7. Chapter 111, Circular 61, Series of 1995 – Reproduction and or use of
facsimiles of legal tender Philippines currency coins.
 GENUINE
BSP CURRENCY
PAPER
Feel the paper - The genuine note is printed on a special kind of paper which
is rough when you run your fingers through it. It does not glow under the
ultra- violet light. During paper manufacture, the watermark, security fibers
and iridescent band are included.

WATERMARK
Examine the watermark on the unprinted portion of the note - The watermark
is the silhouette of the portrait appearing on the face of the note. Sharp
details of the light and shadow effect can be seen when the note is viewed
against the light. The contours of the features of the silhouette can be felt by
running the fingers over the design relatively new notes.
SECURITY FIBERS
Inspect the security fibers - Embedded red and blue visible fibers are
scattered at random on both surfaces of a genuine note and can be readily
picked off by means of any pointed instrument

EMBEDDED SECUIRTY THREAD

View the embedded security thread - The embedded security thread is a
special thread implanted off center of the note during paper manufacture.
This can easily be seen when the note is viewed against the light. It
appears as a broken line for 5’s, 10’s, and 20’s and straight line for 50’s,
100’s, 200’s, 500’s and 1000’s.
WINDOWED SECURITY THREAD
Viewed the windowed security thread on the improved version of 100’s, 500’s
and 1000 - piso notes and the new 2000-piso notes - The windowed security
thread is narrow security thread vertically located like “stitches” at the face
of the note with clear text of the numerical value in repeated sequence and
changes in color from magenta to green or green to magenta depending on
the angle of view.

IRIDESCENT BAND
Look for the iridescent band on the improved version off 100’s, 500’s and
1000-piso notes and the new 200-piso notes - A wide glistening gold vertical
stripe with the numerical value printed in series.
PORTRAIT
Recognize the portrait - Appears life-like. The eyes “sparkle”. Shading are
formed by the lines that give the portrait a characteristics facial expression
which is extremely difficult to replicate.

SERIAL NUMBER
Check the serial number - Composed of 1 or 2 prefix letters and 6 or 7 digits.
The letters and numerals are uniform in size and thickness, evenly spaced and
well- aligned; and glow under the ultra- violet light. A banknote with six “0”
digit serial number is a specimen note and not legal tender note.
BACKGROUND/ LACEWORK DESIGN
Scan the background/ lacework design - the background designs are made
up of multicolored and well defined lines. The lacework designs are
composed of web-crisscrossing lines which are continuous and traceable
even at the intersection.

VIGNETTE
Verify the vignette - The lines and dashes composing the vignette are fine,
distinct and sharp; the varying color tone gives a vivid look to the picture
that makes it “stand out” of the paper.
VALUE PANEL
Check the numbers found at the four corners of the front and back of the note -
The numerals denote the denomination of the note.

FLUORESCENT PRINTING
Look for the presence of the fluorescent print when the note is exposed under the
ultra violet light - The fluorescent print is the invisible numerical value
located off center of the face of the note that glows when exposed to
ultraviolet light.
MICRO PRINTING
Verify under the lens the presence of the micro printing on the denominations 50,
100, 200, 500 and 1000.- Micro printings are the minute and finely printed
words “Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas” or “Central Bank of the Philippines”
located at the face or back of the note that are clearly printed and readable.
CONCEALED VALUE
Check the concealed value on the 500- piso denomination - This concealed
value is located at the lower left corner of the face of the note and is
recognize when the note is held at eye level.
OPTICALLY VARIABLE Ink
Check the optically variable ink on the 10000-piso denomination - It
changes color from green to blue or blue to green when the note is held at
different angles.
 THE NEW
GENERATION
PHILIPPINE
BANKNOTES
20 Piso Banknote
50 Piso Banknote
100 Piso banknote
200 PISO BANKNOTE
500 PISO BANKNOTE
1000 PISO BANKNOTE
So what’s new with these
banknotes?
* More realistic portraits of former
Philippine presidents and heroes

* Tourist destinations and notable animals

found in the country on the reverse
* New BSP logo and Republic of the
Philippines Seal

* New euro-like design with large

numbers for easy identification
* Security features are spruced most
noticeably the serial numbers
which some might find weird
and the security thread which
is wider. A foil-like optically
variable device is found in the
new 500 and 1,000 peso bill.
* The paper used is “hygienically
treated” or has anti-bacterial
properties.
What’s the same?

* Color schemes were maintained except

for the 20 peso bill which I think
has a different tone of orange.
* The size of all banknotes appear to
have been maintained.
* The same paper made of abaca-cotton.
The BSP considered plastic/polymer
before but they might have foreseen
some problems especially with the
way Filipinos crumples, fold, crease,
and roll the money.
 THE NEW GENERATION
PHILIPPINE BANKNOTES
20 Peso Banknote
8. Optical Variable Device
8. OPTICALLY VARIABLE DEVICE
A reflective foil that bears the image of the bluenaped
Parrot and a small BSP Logo
For 500 peso bill and a South Sea Pearl inside a clam
and a small BSP Logo for 1000
Peso bill. The color of the parrot (500 peso) and the
clam (1000 peso) changes from red
To green when the note is rotated at 90 degrees.
 9. OPTICALLY VARIABLE INK
Embossed “1000” denominated value at the lower right
corner of the face of the note changes color from green to
blue when viewed at different angles