QUESTION DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

9
TYPEWRITER EXAMINATIONS

MR.MARCSON B. REYES,RCrim.
NO. 9
FORE9

TYPEWRITER EXAMINATIONS
 NO. 9
FORE9

Forensic Document Examination is the study of

physical evidence, and physical evidence
cannot lie. Only failure to fit it or to hear its
true testimony can deprive it of its value”…
Richard Huber
NO. 9
FORE9

TRUST THE PROCESS

 NO. 9
FORE9

TERMINOLOGIES IN TYPEWRITER EXAMINATIONS:

1.ALIGNMENT DEFECT - Include character which write improperly in the following
respects. A twisted letter, horizontal mal-alignment, vertical, malalignment and a
character special adjustment to the types lock.
2.CARBON IMPRESSION - any type writing which is classed as a carbon by action
of the typefaces striking through carbon paper is classed as carbon impression.
Generally, carbon impression is “Carbon Copies” but sometimes-original typewriting is
made directly through a carbon paper carbon.
3.CHARACTER- in connection with typewriting identification the terms “character” is
use to include either letters, symbols, numerals, or point of punctuation.
4.CLOGGED (DIRTY) TYPEFACE - with use the typefaces becomes filled with lint,
is allowed to progress without cleaning, there comes of time when the written impression
actually print with the clogged areas shaded on a solid block.
5.DEFECTS - the term defect describes any abnormality or maladjustment in
typewriter which is reflected in its works and which leads to its individualization or
identification.
NO. 9
FORE9
 NO. 9
FORE9

6.HORIZONTAL MAL-ALIGNMENT - an alignment defect in which the

character prints the right on left of its proper position is known as horizontal
alignment.
7.MAL-ALIGNMENT - is synonymous with the term “Alignment Defects”
8.OFF ITS FEET - The condition of a typeface printing heavier on one side or
corner than over the remainder of its outline.
9.PERMANENTDEFECT- Any identifying characteristics of a typewriter, which
cannot be corrected by simply cleaning the typeface, or replacing the ribbon is
classed permanent defect. Actually, this term is not absolutely accurate since
all defects in typewriters undergo modification and change in time.
10.PLATEN - The cylinder, which serves as the backing of the paper and which
absorbs the blown the typeface, is known as a platen.
 NO. 9
FORE9

11.PROPORTIONALSPACING TYPEWRITING - a modern from of

typewriting which resembles printing in that all of the horizontal space as
they do with the conventional typewriter, for example the “I” occupies
two units. The “o” three and the “m” five. A typewriter of this design is
known as p [repression spacing machine.
13.RIBBON CONDITION - typewriter ribbons gradually deteriorate with
use and the degree of determination is a measure of the ribbon
conditions.
14.RIBBON IMPRESSION - typewriting which is made directly through
a cloth ribbon s called ribbon impression.
15.TRANSITORY DEFECTS - identifying typewriter characteristics,
which can be eliminated by cleaning.
16.TYPEFACE - the printing surface of the type block is known as the
typeface, with most modern typewriter this block is attached at the end
of a movable arm or type bar, which propels the typeface giants the
ribbon and paper to make the typewriter impression.
NO. 9
FORE9
NO. 9
FORE9
 NO. 9
FORE9

17.TYPE FACE DEFECTS - any peculiarity of typewriting caused

by actual damage to the typeface is known as typeface defects.
This defect may be actual breaks in the outline of the letter where
the metal has been chipped away sometimes refereed to as
broken type, or they may be misruled outlines of the letters where
the type face metal has become bent or smashed, they can only
be corrected by replacing the type block.
18.TWISTED LETTER - Each letter and character is designed to
print a certain fixed angle to the base line, due to wear, and
damage to the type bars and the type block, some letters become
twisted so that they lean to the right or left of their correct slant.
19.VERTICAL MAL-ALIGNMENT - a character printing above or
below its proper position has the quality of vertical mal-alignment.
NO. 9
FORE9
NO. 9
FORE9
NO. 9
FORE9
 NO. 9
FORE9

IDENTIFICATION OF TYPEWRITTEN DOCUMENTS:

A preliminary step in the identification of typewriting it is

necessary to establish that the style and size of the
letters and numerals are the same and that both the
letter spacing and the line spacing are the same. In
order to make a further study leading either towards an
identification or non-identification such instrument as
magnifying lenses, microscopes and various kinds of
measuring devices are used. These instruments make it
possible to study the following:
 NO. 9
FORE9

1.SLANT- A study is made of each character to determine to what

extent, if any, it leans either to the right or to the left.
2.ALIGNMENT - if a typewriter is in proper alignment each
character should strike in the center of an imaginary rectangle.
3.FOOTING- a letter may strike heavier either on the right, on the
left, on the top or on the bottom.
4.DEFECTS IN THE TYPE FACE - these maybe brought about
either through mistreatment or as results of ordinary wear and
tear. When questioned typewriter is compared with known
typewritten exemplars, three general areas of examination are
made:
* Size and spacing (vertical and horizontal)
* Type style
* Unique identifying characteristics - character and alignment
defects.
 NO. 9
FORE9

OBTAINING KNOWN TYPEWRITTEN EXEMPLARS:

Properly prepared known typewriting samples not only

facilities the examination in the laboratory but they aid
immeasurably in the demonstration in the courtroom.
 NO. 9
FORE9

HOW TO OBTAIN EXEMPLARS OF TYPEWRITING:

1. If the typewriter ribbon is obviously new, remove if room the typewriter and
send it to the laboratory with the typewriting exemplars prepared from another
ribbon (the text of the material in question may still be discernible of the ribbon)
2. Use paper of about the same size as the questioned material, type out of full
word for word copy of the message ion question, typographical errors, using as
nearly as possible the same degree of touch as that used in typing the
questioned material.
3. After placing the typewriter in a stencil position or removing the cloth ribbon,
obtain samples of each character on the keyboard by typing through carbon
paper which has been inserted carbon side down over a piece of white bond
paper.
4. Make certain that each specimen contain the make, model and serial
number of the typewriter from which it was produced as well as the date and
initials of the officer.
 NO. 9
FORE9

5. Typewriter specimen should be taken from suspected

typewriter. It is usually not necessary to forward the typewriter to
the laboratory if completed known exemplars are obtained.
6. If possible, after a typewritten is obtained from a suspected
typewriter, the investigation should insure that the typewriter is
kept in its current condition.
7. With evidence this obtain from typewritten documents, the
laboratory experts are in position to lend valuable assistance to
the solution and subsequent prosecution of many cases.
 NO. 9
FORE9
TYPES OF TYPEWRITERS
1. CONVENTIONAL TYPEWRITERS USING TYPE Bars
a. Pica type - 10 letters /inch
b. Elite type 12 letters/inch
c. 6 Lester/inch
d. Teletype Machine
e. 14-16 letter/inch - special s typewriters
 NO. 9
FORE9

TYPEWRITER USING SINGLE ELEMENTS OR BALL

A typewriter machine, capable, of typing 10 or characteristic per
inch. Change of horizontal spacing is done easily by the flip of a
switch.

TYPEWRITER USING A PRINT WHEEL

(ELECTRONICTYPEWRITER)
This is a typewriter equipped with a type device called a
print wheel; the printwheel contains all of characteristics capability
of typing 10,12 and 15 letters per inch.
NO. 9
FORE9
NO. 9
FORE9
 NO. 9
FORE9

SINGLE ELEMENTS PRINT WHEEL

TYPEFACE OR BALL (ELECTRONICTYPEWRITER)