Questioned documents

Definition
• Document: The term document came from the Latin word “documentum”,
which means lesson , or example .It may have been derived also from the
French word “ docere ” means to teach.
• Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs in which these components
may either be visible or partially visible in conveying message or meaning to
someone.

• A questioned document is one in which a document in its whole, or in part, is

subject to question as to authenticity and/or origin.
or
• Any object that contains handwritten, typewritten or printed or printed
markings whose source or authenticity is in doubt, is referred to as questioned
document.
 Most Common
Questioned
•
Documents
•
Letters Voter registration
• Checks • Passports
• Drivers Licenses • Petitions
• Contracts • Threatening
• Wills letters
• Suicide notes
• Lottery tickets
 Cases Involving Questioned
Documents
• Forgery • Art crimes
• Counterfeiting • Theft
• Mail fraud • Robbery
• Kidnapping • Arson
• Con games • Burglary
• Embezzlement • Homicide
• Gambling • Serial murder
• Organized crime • Psychological profiling
• White collar crime • Deviant sex crimes
Examples of Questioned Documents
Examples of Questioned Documents
Examples of Questioned Documents
Why is document examination conducted
• Examination of document is conducted to determine:
Its origin The examination of a document is conducted to
determine:
• its origin, i.e., where did the document come from?
• its production source, i.e., what person or machine produced it?
• its production process, i.e., how was it made?
• its inscription, i.e., what has faded or been obliterated?
• its chastity, i.e., what changes, if any, have been made to it?
• its integrity, i.e., is it genuine or false?
• its legitimacy, i.e., is it an original or a reproduction, and if so,
what generation?
 Importance

• The primary purpose of questioned forensic document examination is to

answer question about a disputed document using a variety of scientific
processes and methods.

• Some of these document involves fraud, forgery, counterfeiting,

blackmailing, threat etc.

• The issues may impact on a person wealth property possession or

reputation. the truth about their integrity and authenticity of documents
assumes great importance.
 Forensic document examiner

• There are four basic components to the work of a forensic document

examiner
• An examiner marks scientific examination comparisons and analysis of
document in order to establish genuineness or non genuineness or to
expose forgery or to reveal alterations, additions, deletions
• Identifying or eliminate person at the source of writing
• Identify or eliminate the source of typewriting or other impressions marks
or relative evidence.
• Write report or give testimony when needed to did the users of examiners
services in understanding the examiners findings.
 Classification

• All document problems fall in to 2 category:

• one thing those that require known specimen from an individuals source
to reach conclusions as their authenticity

• Group is investigated either by a study of questioned document alone or

by comparison to reference collection.
 What is document examination

• Document examination is the discipline that seeks to determine the

history of a document by technical or scientific process.

• Examination of qd consists of the analysis and comparison of questioned

handwriting hand printing typewriting commercial printing, photocopies
papers, inks and other documentary evidences with known materials in
order to establish the authenticity of the contested materials as well as
detections of alterations.
 Principle of identification

• Any 2 items possess a combination of independent discriminating

elements characteristics that are similar and correspond in their
relationship to one another of such number and significance as to
preclude the possibility of their occurrence by pure coincidence and there
is no inexplicable disparities
 Aspects of QDE

• Handwriting Examination (Graphology/Graphoanalysis)

• Examination of signatures and initials
• Examination of anonymous letter
• Hand printing examination
• Examination of Typewriting's and type prints.
• Examination of Inks
• Examination of Erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc.
• Detection of alteration
• Decipherment of erased writings
• Restoration of obliterated writings
• Counterfeiting
• Examination of currency bills and coins and the like
• Examination of fake documents
• Miscellaneous aspects
• Determination of age of documents
• Identification of stamps
• Examinations of seal and other authenticating devices
 Purpose of QDE

• To reveal/ discover the following:

• Identity of the author.
• True contents of the document.
• Origin of the instrument or paper used in making the document.
• Alterations or erasures which have been made.
• Authenticity of the document.
 Scientific Examination of QDE

Analysis or Discriminating Element Determination. The unknown item and the known
items must, by analysis, examination, or study, be reduced to a matter of their
discriminating elements. These are the habits of behaviour or of performance (i.e.,
features or characteristics and, in other disciplines, the properties) that serve to
differentiate between products or people which may be directly observable,
measurable, or otherwise perceptible aspects of the item.
Comparison. The discriminating elements of the unknown, observed or determined
through analysis, examination, or study, must be compared with those known,
observed, or recorded of the standard item(s).
Evaluation. Similarities or dissimilarities in discriminating elements will each have a
certain value for discrimination purposes. The weight or significance of the similarity or
difference of each element must then be considered and the explanation(s) for them
proposed. This process underlies the identification of any matter, person, or thing, by
any witness, whether technical, forensic, or not. In determining the identity of
unfamiliar substances or items, different scientific disciplines study different materials,
or different aspects of the same material. Thus, the analysis, the examination, or the
study differs with the discipline, and sufficient knowledge of the discipline is needed to
appreciate what information the analysis, the examination, or the study should seek.
CLASSES OF QUESTIONED
DOCUMENTS
Documents are attacked on many grounds and for various reasons, but the
great majority of questioned papers are included in the following
classes:

(1)Documents with questioned signatures and thumb impressions.

(2) Documents containing alleged fraudulent alterations.
(3) Holograph documents questioned or disputed.
(4) Documents attacked on the question of their age or date.
( 5 ) Documents attacked on the question of materials used in their production.
(6) Documents investigated on the question of typewriting:
 With a view to ascertaining their source.
 with a view of ascertaining their date
 with a view of determining whether or not they contain fraudulent alterations or
substituted pages.
(7) Documents or writings investigated because they identify some person through
handwriting:
• Anonymous and disputed letters.
• Superscriptions, registrations and miscellaneous writings.
 1)Documents with questioned signatures or thumb impressions

o The most common disputed document is that of the signatures and may be any one
of the ordinary commercial or legal papers such as a check, note, receipt, draft, order,
contract, assignment, will, deed, or similar paper the signature of which is under
suspicion
.
o Signatures are found the traced forgery and the forgery produced by the simulating or
copying process.

o At first view the signature should be critically examined and compared with genuine
signatures

o In such an examination it is necessary to determine whether the writing in question

shows the absence of divergent writing characteristics and the presence of the
genuine writing habits and characteristics of the alleged writer to a sufficient extent to
warrant the conclusion that the writing is genuine, the absence of a sufficient number
of such characteristics of genuineness and the presence of divergent characteristics to
such an extent as to lead to the conclusion that the writing is not genuine.
 Contd….
• The color and character of the ink of a questioned signature should on first view
always be carefully observed under suitable magnification and compared with the ink
on all other parts of the document and, if conditions warrant it, with standard inks of
the alleged age of the document.

• If the ink is apparently fresher than the age of the document would seem to warrant,
a careful color reading of it should be made and recorded.

• The document if handwritten should also be examined to see if it was continuously

written by the same writer.

• The size, shape, color and characteristics of the paper on which the document is
written should be carefully observed
• watermark examined, if any appears, if these questions may by any possibility have
the slightest bearing on the question of genuineness.
• Attention should also be given to typewriting, seals, erasures or changes,
interlineations, discolorations, thumb-tack or pin holes, and to printing when
conditions seem to require it, even although it may at first appear that the signature
alone is questioned.
 2. Documents containing alleged fraudulent alterations.
• In the second class of questioned documents are included all those in which it is
alleged some alteration has been made by erasure, addition, substitution by
reason of which the effect or value of the document is materially changed.

• In connection with this class of documents questions may arise regarding the
order or sequence of writing , age of writing, continuity of writing, erasures and
changes, identity of ink, identity of pen and pen condition, self-consciousness or
unusual care in writing, and, under certain conditions, the question may arise
whether writing preceded or followed the folding of the paper.

• This important class of questioned documents also includes all varieties of

"raised" checks, drafts and notes as well as fraudulent interlineations in contracts,
deeds, wills and other legal papers.
 (3) Holograph documents questioned or disputed.

• The third class of suspected papers comprises those in which the writing of an
entire written document is all questioned.

• Such complete documents, if fraudulent, are usually vulnerable in many possible

particulars and should be subjected to the most searching scrutiny including
consideration of paper, watermarks, ink, pens, style or system of writing, natural
variation or variety in writing, wording, subject-matter, seals, folding and ruling.

• Tickets of many kinds are frequently forged or counterfeited, as are also rare
stamps, valuable manuscripts, certificates, letters of introduction and
recommendation, letters of credit, diplomas, marriage certificates, marriage
contracts, court papers, book plates, and especially autographs and letters of
famous people, and also commissions, discharges and many other kinds of
documents, some of which would be included in this class.
 (4) Documents attacked on the question of their age or date.
( 5 ) Documents attacked on the question of materials used in
their production.
• It includes the age of an instrument or the age of some part of it is investigated, or a paper
in which the comparative age of different parts may have some bearing on the question of its
genuineness.

• Documents have frequently been shown to be false because they were dated many years
before the paper was made on which they were written, and this is only one illustration of
the fifth class of questioned documents or those shown to be fraudulent by the examination
of materials. Other matters for investigation under this head are, type printed forms,
lithographed forms, typewriting, seals, envelopes, stamps, or any tangible thing that may
have a date value.

• This class of documents includes those documents in which age of document are questioned.
• Whether the document is actually as old as the date thereon indicates or whether the
document are not uncommon
• Document have been proved to be unreliable because they bore dates a number of years
prior to date or year when the paper on which they had been written or the instrument with
which they are written and /the ink/typewriter used in their writing/typing was
manufactured or marketed by the manufacturer.
 (6) Documents investigated on the question of
typewriting

• In this class of questioned document the examiner has to carefully and

minutely examine the typewritten matter to:
• determine the make
• Model of the type writer used in questioned writing to link the
typewriting with particular type machine.
• To verify the alleged date of typing from wear and tear marks and other
factors to determine if there is any fraudulent alteration in the original
typed matter.
(7) Documents or writings investigated because they
identify some person through handwriting

• The most common documents of this class are all kinds of anonymous and disputed
letters.
• These may includes ordinary letters offered as evidence, but usually are abusive,
warning, obscene, or scurrilous communications, or any of the great variety of
blackmailing, black-hand, and threatening letters which so frequently become the
subject of legal inquiry.
• The document examiner often has to handle anonymous letters written to perpetrate a
foolish practical joke, for blackmailing/ threatening due to writes disturbed sex
condition, love failure, family jealousy, religious or political prejustice etc.
• The examiner is asked to determine the authorship of such anonymous letters by
comparing the writing therein with the writing of suspect.
• Most of the anonymous letter the writing are generally disguised.
• The seventh class of questioned documents are of great variety, and of all disputed
papers they are perhaps most frequently brought under investigation.
• This class includes all documents, papers, writings or instruments which by their
handwriting and contents tend to identify some person.
 Contd….
• Another important class of letters which it frequently becomes important to identify
are those written by persons under suspicion or arrest, for the purpose of diverting
suspicion from the writers.
• A suspected letter should be subjected to the most comprehensive and thorough
examination, which, in many cases, will conclusively identify its author or show the
fraudulent character of the document if it is fraudulent.
• It will be seen in considering these various classes of disputed papers that there are
two related but quite distinct questions regarding handwriting.
The first question is whether a certain writing is genuine or forged.
• In such a case the writing is usually denied by the writer, or those who represent
him, and the question to be determined is whether it is genuine writing, an imitation
of genuine writing, or a wholly different writing.
The second handwriting question in such inquiries, as outlined in the heading, is
whether a certain writing will serve to identify the writer.
• Such writing may be and usually is disguised. If disguised then the question is, did the
writer attempt to hide his personality and fail to do so, or is the writing not disguised
and actually the writing of another person? In this class are included disguised
anonymous letters and also ordinary letters and papers offered as evidence that by
their writing serve as a means of identification.
DISGUISE WRITING
• In disguised writing the effort of the writer is directed to the exclusion of personal writing
characteristics by the adoption of characteristics foreign to his own writing.
• The problem in the examination of such writing is to discover and weigh against each other
involuntary and unconscious genuine characteristics and voluntary adopted or foreign
characteristics.
• A simulated writing is one in which the attempt is made to copy or imitate the writing of
another as is done in an ordinary signature forgery.
• To be entirely successful it is obvious that such writing by one who knows how to write,
involves a double process and must not only contain the features of the writing imitated,
but must also exclude the writer's own personal writing characteristics.
• A writing that is simply disguised, as is usually the case in anonymous letters, is one in
which the writer only seeks to hide his own personality without assuming that of any other
particular person.
• It is reasonable to expect that a simulated writing will resemble in some degree the writing
it seeks to imitate, and it is equally apparent that a disguised writing will differ in some
measure from the usual writing of one who thus attempts to hide his own personality.
• The simple question sometimes arises whether a complete letter or other document
containing considerable matter, and which is written rapidly and freely, is in the actual
handwriting of a certain writer admitted specimens of whose writing of a similar character
are shown.
• In such an inquiry it is simply necessary to determine to what an extent all the variable
characteristics and habits of two natural and undisguised handwritings will accidentally
coincide. With sufficient disputed and
• standard writing of this class by the same writer, proof of identity reaches such a
degree of certainty that it often leads to confession or disappearance of the writer.
• In any considerable quantity of writing it is usually possible to discover and show
clearly whether a writing is natural and free or whether it is unnatural and feigned.
• A feigned hand is almost certain to be inconsistent with itself in important features
and will not be free and rapid.
• If such a writing is free and rapid it is certain to show, when carefully analyzed,
many of the characteristics of the natural writing of the writer no matter what
disguise is employed.
• When a signature is shown to be fraudulent the question naturally arises as to who
committed the forgery.
• This question is usually asked in every such case, but cannot often be answered
with much certainty, judging from the writing alone. It is much easier to show that
a fraudulent signature is not genuine than it is to show that such a writing is
actually the work of a particular writer.
• A forgery is a more or less successful imitation of the writing of another and it is
seldom that the forger will incorporate in the few letters of a single signature a
sufficient number of the characteristics of is own writing to serve to identify him
positively as the Writer.
• When the attempt is made simply to disguise a quantity of writing, as in anonymous
letters, the problem is a verj'^ different one and it is usually possible to show with much
certainty who was the writer, but where only a signature is forged by imitation or
tracing it is usually very difficult to discover from the writing itself who actually did
write it, unless, as occasionally pens, the forgery is practically an undisguised specimen
of the writing of the forger.
• The defects or shortcomings in a fraudulent signature are frequently of a character that
point toward the writing of the forger, but alone are not often sufficient to identify him
positively.
• It thus follows that it is much easier to prove forgery in a civil case or to establish the
crime of uttering a forged paper than, from the writing alone, to fix the crime of forgery
on some individual.
• The degree of certainty of proof of forgery, or proof of identity through handwriting,
necessarily differs enormously in different cases and under differing circumstances and
ranges all the Away from a mere conjecture to conclusive proof. ^ In some cases the
basis for any conclusion whatever may be very meager on account of the nature of the
question and an opinion is but little more than a mere conjecture and is of little value as
evidence. Then again, such evidence may be so confirmatory of itself in its various
phases, so cumulative in force when the many conditions are considered, that it is
irresistibly convincing to a logical and unprejudiced mind.- In many cases handwriting in
sufficient quantity and kind may afford the most positive and conclusive evidence of
• A document suspected of being fraudulent should be subjected to an
immediate and thorough examination.
• The value of promptness is especially urged.
• Important interests are sometimes endangered by a delay of only a few days
and many questions regarding documents may arise that require the earliest
possible attention if the true conditions are to be known with certainty and
shown with clearness.
• It may seem unnecessary to make this suggestion, but in many instances such
preliminary examinations are not only of the most hasty and superficial
character, but are so long postponed that much of their value is lost.
• The preliminary examination should not only be prompt, but also should be
thorough.
• The procedure often followed would seem to indicate a belief that after
incessant but utterly unsystematic and purposeless staring at a document it
would in some mysterious way proclaim itself as false or true, as good or bad,
and frequently the hope seems to be entertained that the answer will appear
even to the unskilled and the inexperienced.
• One might as well expect to obtain by the same procedure an interpretation of
the ancient inscriptions on an Egyptian obelisk.
Preliminary Examination of
Questioned Document
 IMPORTANCE OF PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF
QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

• Preliminary examination is the key to the final result.

• Preliminary examination is not a misnomer, for in real consists of thorough analysis
more than looking of document and expressing an of-hand opinion.
• A questioned document does not always become a disputed document.
• A document in question can be fraudulent in numerous ways. The problem
presented to the expert may arise from a slight suspicion or misleading
circumstances. It happens frequently that the experts find the document valid and
genuine.
• The conscientious expert takes a case first only for preliminary examination. If his
conclusion or opinion based upon such examination, corroborates the suspicion
which prompted the examinations. If, on the other hand, the preliminary report
does not confirm what the lawyer or clients want to hear, the matter will be ended
then and there.
• The danger of time element can jeopardize a case; hence, it is always advisable to
consult an expert for preliminary report as early as possible.
• Regardless of the future date of the trial, as a common sense principle and a basic
 Contd…
• In a case concerning questioned or disputed documents, the results of the
preliminary investigation should be discussed at a confidential conference between
the attorney or client and the document expert.
• The objective findings of the expert’s preliminary examination should be thoroughly
discussed and should consist mainly of:
– The proper and fair conclusion concerning the collection of pro’s and con’s;
– Sufficient facts;
– Essential reasons; and
– Presentation and demonstration of proof and evidence.
• It is safer to be disappointed by the result of the preliminary examination than to
lose a case in court due to lack of preparation. Remember that the preparation of a
case and the preliminary conference is not a “BATTLE OF ADVERSARY”, but the
assembling and developing of the true fact.
• The preliminary examination, if investigation of facts is thoroughly conducted, is a
practical aid to the preparation of the case, as it shown clearly the points to be
proved.
• The expert’s assistance may ensure the support of key facts and his reasons can be
brought out by the attorney in cross examination to point out the opponent’s
Some basic points for consider in the preliminary examination of a document:
• Is the paper of unusual size and was cut or trimmed by hand at any margin?
• How many times, the paper has been folded and what is the sequence of folds?
• Does the paper show some fresh folds?
• What is the kind of paper and does it size, water mark or printed matter if any has
any date significance?
• Does the paper bear any marks of artificial ageing and has the paper been torn
wetted mutilated in any ways and if so then what is the probable reason?
• Is the paper unnecessary soiled or crumpled?
• Does the paper shows unnatural discoloration or any stain?
• Does the paper bear indentation marks on the front side or embossed strokes on
the reverse side?
• Does the document shows any physical or chemical erasing, obliteration
substitution or alteration of any kind?
• Does the paper shows any thinning of paper in some areas due to application of
physical eraser when examined under transmitted light?
• Does the document shows any chemical erasers when viewed under uv light?
• Was the document written or typed before and after paper was folded?
• Was the signature appended before or after the paper was folded?
 Contd….
• Were more than one kind of ink or pens used to write the body writing of the
document?
• Were the signature of executants and witnesses written with the same pen and ink or
with different pen and inks?
• Does the document show any unusual spacing between the written or type lines?
• When the document consist of two or more sheets whether all the sheets are the same
nature color and size?
• Does the document bear any remains of pencil or carbon marks beneath near the
signature or writing s which might has been drawn as out lines for forging signature or
writing?
• In holographic document do the pen and ink used for signature by the executants tally
with those used for body writing?
• Does the signature touch any other signature (s) or writing(s) and if so what is their
chronological sequence ?
• Are the signature of executants and witnesses written in proper order?
• Are the standard signature interse consistent and do they provide sufficient data for
proper analysis and comparison?
• Have the revenue stamp affixed in normal manner or it shows evidence of having been
transplanted from other document?
 Contd…
• If the document is type written are the margins and spacing uniform?
• Is there any unusual decrease or increase in the spacing between the lines at the
end of document?
• Was the document typed on the same typewriter in continuity?
• Is there any alteration in the typed date entry or other portions of the
document?
• Was the model of the typewriter in existence when the document is alleged to
be typed?
• If a document is a letter do cancellation marks and postage stamps on it have
any significance?
• Does the document fit in the envelope in which it was allegedly received?
• Does the manner of closing sealing or opening of the envelope or the printing of
envelope have any significance?
• Does the envelope show some evidence of opening and reclosing resealing?
• Do the postal and revenue stamps on a document have any date and
significance?
• Are the signature of executants and witness genuine?
 Description of document

• Background details
• Description of documents
(1) Appearance of document
I. Folds and creases
II. Odor
III. Impressions
IV. Cancellations stamps
V. Typescript
Examination by transmitted light
VI. Wire marks and watermarks
VII. Erasers
VIII. Surface
IX. Blot and smears
X. Erased typescript
XI. Dimensions
XII. Perforations
XIII. Adhesive stamp
(2)The content of the document
I. Secret writing
II. Extraneous markings
III. Typescript
IV. Erased typescript
V. Ink lines
VI. Signatures
• Signatures obtained by trickery
VII. Stamps
VIII. Receipts
IX . Ballot paper
X. Envelopes
XII. Notebooks
XIII. Blotting paper