Questioned Document

Examination
 Today’s civilization is a world of documents. From birth to
death, a man needs documents for himself such as birth certificate,
baptismal certificate, school records, driver’s license, passport,
medical records, correspondence, marriage certificate, checks,
insurance policies, notes, contracts, last will, and finally, his and her
death certification.
The method of crime detection identification employing
technology such as Forensic Document Examination is concerned with
the examination of written, printed and otherwise reproduced papers to
detect forgery, alteration, erasure in the questioned document. It also
determines whether the handwriting is genuine or forged and identifies
the writer of a “poison pen letter, ransom notes, and anonymous
letters. It is an effective tool in in determining counterfeit notes and
coins. Identification and comparison of pencil marks, ball-point pen
and printing as well as the make and model of typewriter.
 Five (5) Subject Matters in Q.D.E
1. Signature Identification
2. Handwriting Identification
3. Typewritten / Computerized Documents
4. Alterations
5. Counterfeiting
Historical Background of
Questioned Document
Examination
Chapter I
 Pretest
Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following are the first invented by the Chinese

more than 2,000 years ago but it was not common in other
countries for a long time?
a. ink b. paper c. pencil d. computer

2. Who is considered as the Father of Questioned Document?

a. Albert S. Osborn b. Calvin Goddard
c. Hans Gross d. Cesare Lombroso
3. It records a man’s life.
a. Birth certificate b. Death certificate
c. Documents d. Biodata

4. It is a French word for document.

a. Documentatum b. Documente
c. Documentum d. Docere

5. Refers to the will entirely written in the testator’s handwriting.

a. Notarial will b. Holographic will
c. Dying declaration d. Last will testament
 History of Documents
From the very earliest time, man has put down marks on
different materials to make forms of writing simple pictures on
the walls of caves. The man soon found he could not express
all of his thoughts utilizing pictures so systems of writing were
developed. Early writings were on stones and metal. Later
skins of animals were used. Paper was first invented by the
Chinese more than 2,000 years ago but it was not common in
other countries for a long time. Criminalistics was quick to
learn that it was profitable to make false documents. The
examination of questioned documents falls into broad classes.
 Personalities in Questioned Documents Examination

1. Albert Sherman Osborn

• Father of the Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents.
• Author of the seminal “Questioned Documents” (1910, reprinted
many times).
• He founded the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners
on September 2, 1942.

2. Albert D. Osborn
• Third President of the American Society of Questioned Document
Examiners.
• Son of the founding president of the ASQDE, Albert S. Osborn.
• Co-author of the book Questioned Documents.
3. J. Newton Baker
• A Consultative Expert in Disputed document
• In 1955, he authored the book, “Law of Disputed and forged documents”.
4. James V. P. Conway
• Examiner of Questioned Documents of San Francisco, California Postal
Inspector in charge of San Francisco Identification Laboratory U.S. Postal
Inspection Service
• Author of “Evidential Documents” which was published in Springfield,
Illinois, USA in 1959.
5. Hans Scheickert (1876-1944)
• A Doctor of Law and Director of the identification Bureau of the Police
Department of Berlin until 1928.
• A Criminology Professor at the University of Berlin in 1920 and a well-
known handwriting expert.
6. Dr. Wilson R. Harrison
• Director of the British Government’s Home Office of Forensic Science
Society of Questioned Document Examiners.
• Author of “Suspect Document Examiners Their Scientific
Examination”, first published in London in 1958.
• He had over 20 years of experience in the examination of suspect
documents for the police forces of England and Wale and many
government departments.
7. Charles Chabot
• English graphologist who, as part of the firm of Netherclift, Chabot, and
Matheson, was an early practitioner of questioned document examination.
• He was born Battersea, son of Charles, a lithographer.
8. Ordway Hilton
• Sixth President of the ASQDE.
• Born in 1913 and grew up in Evanston, Illinois.
• The first questioned document examiner in the new crime laboratory of
the Chicago Police Department.
• Author of the best-known texts in the field, “Scientific Examination of
Questioned Documents”, in 1956.
• He also authored Detecting and Deciphering Erased Pencil Writing.
• He passed away in 1998.
 The Importance of Documents
Documents record man’s life. Officially, his birth certificate
signals man’s existence on Earth. Corollary, thereto, his death certificate
writes finish to his stay on earth. The testament, the obituary, the
tombstone with the inscription epitaphs, all those documents testifying to
his death.
Man’s life does not center on his birth or his death. The intervening
period opens for us more documents, reams of them. Take the doctor’s
note on the mother’s postnatal visits with the child, the first inoculation
followed by an array of diplomas from kindergarten, primary, elementary,
high school, college, and perhaps postgraduate courses. While studying,
the more love serious love notes and not too far behind the better-
proposing marriage and finally the inking of marriage bond via the
marriage contract and certificate. The conception, pre-natal visits, and
birth of a new generation.
 Again, life is not all schooling or marriage. Man must
find work to feed his family. Thus, we find him filling up
employment applications. He is accepted by the company,
swears him in and he receives his appointment papers. At the
end of every week or every fifteenth and thirtieth of the month,
the man signs the payroll and receives his paycheck or cash as
the case may be. As he grows older, he comes across his
retirement papers and receives his pension checks. As the
shadows of life finally set upon man, the final document
testifying to his demise is the death certificate. These, in a
nutshell, amplify the importance of documents in man’s life.
General Definition of Terms
A. Document. Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs
either visible, or partially visible that may present or ultimately
convey meaning to someone, maybe in the form of pencil, ink
writing, typewriting, or printing on paper.
The term “document” applies to writings; 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, titles, letters,
receipts, and other written instruments used to prove a fact.
• The Latin word “documentum”, means “lesson, or example
(in Medieval Latin “instruction, or official paper”), OR
• French word “docere”, means to teach.
According to Microsoft Encarta Reference Library (as a noun):
1. formal piece of writing
2. objects containing information
3. computer file
As a verb, Microsoft Encarta gives the following definition:
4. record of information in or on media
5. support a claim with evidence

B. Questioned. Any material which some issue has been raised or which is under
scrutiny.

C. Questioned Document. One in which the facts appearing therein may not be
true, and are contested either in whole or part concerning its authenticity,
identity, or origin. It may be a deed, contract, will, election ballot, marriage
contract, check, visa, application form, check writer, certificate, etc.
D. 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 scrutiny.

E. Standard (Standard Document). Are condensed and compact

sets of authentic specimens which, if adequate and proper, should
contain a cross-section of the material from a known source.

F. Exemplar. A term used by some document examiners and

attorneys to characterize known material. Standard is the older
term.
G. Holographic Document. Any document completely
written and signed by one person: also known as holograph.
In some jurisdictions, a holographic will can be probated
without anyone having witnessed its execution.

H. Reference Collection. Material compiled and organized by

the document examiner to assist him in answering special
questions. Reference collections of typewriting, check
writing specimens, inks, pens, pencils, and papers are
frequently maintained.
 Legal Aspect of Documents
A. 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. 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
blurred print, or an X-ray plate.
B. KINDS OF DOCUMENT:
1. Public Document – notarized by a notary public or competent public
official with solemnities required by law.
2. Official Document – issued by the government or its officers having the
authority to do so and the offices, under their creation, are authorized to
issue and be issued in the performance of their duties.
3. 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.
4. Commercial Document – executed under the Code of Commerce or any
Mercantile Law, containing disposition of commercial rights or obligations.
5. Electronic Document (E-Document) – exists only in electronic forms such
as data stored on a computer, network, back-up, archive, or other storage
media.
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)
2. Mere blank of official documents, the spaces of which
are not filled up. (People vs. Santiago)
3. Pamphlets or books which do not evidence any
disposition or agreement are not documents but are mere
merchandise. (People vs. Agnis)
 Classes of Questioned Documents
1. Document with questioned signatures.
2. Questioned documents alleged to have been containing
fraudulent alterations.
3. Questioned or disputed holographic wills.
a. Holographic Will – will entirely be written in the
testator’s handwriting.
b. Notarial Will – signed by the testator acknowledged
before a notary public with 3 witnesses.
4. Documents investigated the question of typewriting.
a. with a view of ascertaining their source
b. with a view of ascertaining their date
c. with a view to determine whether or not they contain
fraudulent alterations or substituted pages.
5. Questioned document on issues of their age or date.
6. Questioned documents on issues of materials used in their
production.
7. Documents or writings were investigated because it is alleged
that they identify some persons through handwriting.
a. anonymous and disputed letters
b. superscriptions, registrations, and miscellaneous writings.
Thank you for listening and
God bless!