Forensic Science

Document Analysis
Mr. Glatt
2013-2014

Document Analysis
Document Analysis is the examination and
comparison of questioned documents with
known material.
Questioned Documents- any signature, handwriting,
typewriting, or other written mark whose source or
authenticity is in dispute or uncertain

Experts establish the authenticity of documents

and detect any changes, erasures, or obliterations
that may have occurred
Obliteration- writing over top to smear or make
orginal writing unreadable

Common Questioned Documents

Checks
Certificates
Wills
Passports
Licenses
Money
Letters
Contracts
Suicide Notes
Receipts
Even Lottery Tickets

Handwriting Analysis
Like Fingerprints, every persons handwriting
is unique and personalized
Handwriting is difficult to disguise or forge
Good tool for including or excluding persons when
determining a match with an exemplar

Questioned documents are compared to

exemplars to determine matches
Exemplars- prewritten handwriting samples from
a suspect(s)

History of Handwriting Analysis

1930shandwriting analysis played a role in
the famous Lindbergh case.
1999the US Court of Appeals determined
that handwriting analysis qualifies as a form of
expert testimony
To be admissible in court, scientifically
accepted guidelines must be followed
Scotland Yard, the FBI, and the Secret Service
use handwriting analysis

Introduction to Handwriting
Everyones handwriting exhibits natural
variation
Writing instruments- pen, pencil, marker ect
Mood, age, hurried

Brain does writing- methods of writing

become subconscious
Adults show little variation

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Line Quality
Do the letters flow or are they erratic and
shaky?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Spacing
Are letters equally spaced or crowded?
Are margins evenly spaced?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Size Consistency
Is the ratio of height to width consistent?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Continuous
Is the writing continuous or does the writer lift
the pen/pencil?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Connecting Letters
Are the capital and lowercase letters
connected and continuous?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Letters Complete
Are letters completely formed? Or, is part of a
letter missing?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Cursive and Printed Letters
Are there printed letters, cursive letters, or
both?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Pen Pressure
Is pressure equal when applied to upward and
downward strokes?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Slant
Left, right, or variable?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Line Habits
Is the text on the line, above the line, or below
the line?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Fancy Curls or Loops
Are there fancy loops?
Any other distinguishing features?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting
Places of Crosses on ts & Dots on is
Are ts crossed?
ts crossed in middle, toward top, or toward
bottom

Are is dotted?
Dotted toward left, toward right, or centered

Handwriting Examination
1. Two writings came from one person if:
their similarities are unique and
no unexplainable difference(s) are found
2. Examine the questionable document for

detectable traits and record them

3. Obtain a known sample of the suspects writing
(an exemplar)
4. Compare and draw conclusions about the
authorship of the questionable document

Technology Used in Handwriting

Analysis
o

Biometric Signature Pads

Learns to recognize how a person signs

Evaluates speed, pressure, and rhythm of the
signature
Recognizes forgeries by the detection of even slight
differences

Computerized Analysis

Compares handwriting samples objectively

Compared with samples stored in databases

Handwriting Analysis
o

Evidence in the Courtroom

Expert explains how comparisons were made
Cross-examination by defense attorney may follow
Must be able to justify and defense usually has their

own expert witness to try to refute

o

Shortcomings in Analysis
Are the base documents real or fake?
Did mood, age, fatigue impact the handwriting?

Did experts miss details any details?

Forgery and Fraudulence (Fraud)

Forgery- making, altering, or falsifying a
persons signature or any other aspect of a
document with the intent to deceive another
Forged documents include:

checks
employment records
legal agreements
licenses
wills

Fraudulenceforgery for material gain

Check Forgery
Check forgery can include:
ordering anothers checks from a deposit slip
altering a check
intercepting anothers check, altering, and

cashing it
creating a check from scratch

Preventing Check Forgery

Chemically sensitive paper

Large font size requires more ink and makes

alterations more difficult

High resolution borders that are difficult to copy
Multiple color patterns on paper
Embed fibers that glow under different light
Use chemical wash detection systems that
change color when a check is altered

Counterfeiting
o

Counterfeiting- When false documents or other

items are copied for the purpose of deception
o

A criminal activity existing since antiquity

Items commonly forged today include:

Currency
Travelers checks
Food stamps
Certain bonds
Postage stamps

Currency
Security features are added to paper currency
that scanning cannot reproduce
Regular printer paper contains starch.
Paper currency contains rag fiber instead of
starch.
People usually first suspect money as fake
because its texture does not feel right

Verifying Authentic Currency

New security features:

1.Portrait stands out and appears raised off the paper

2.Contains clear red and blue fibers woven throughout the bill
3.Has clear, distinct border edges
4.Treasury seal is shown with clear, sharp saw-tooth points
5.Watermark appears on the right side of the bill in the light
6.The security thread is evidenta thin embedded vertical strip

with the denomination of the bill printed in it

7.There is minute printing on the security threads, as well as
around the portrait
8.When the bill is tilted, the number in the lower right-hand
corner makes a color shift from copper to green