Important Terms to Remember

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

2. Questioned document. One in which the facts appearing therein may not be true, and

are contested either in whole or part with respect to its authenticity, identity, or origin.

It may be a deed, contract, will, election ballots, marriage contract, check, visas,

application form, check writer, certificates, etc. .

3. 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 special scrutiny.

4. Standard(Standard Document)-Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimens

which, if adequate and proper, should contain a cross section of the material from a

known source. “Standard” in questioned documents investigation, we mean those

things whose origins are known and can be proven and which can be legally used as

examples to compare with other matters in question. Usually a standard consist of the

known handwriting of a person such case, “standard” has the same meaning as is

understood by the word “specimen” of handwriting.

5. Exemplar. A term used by some document examiners and attorneys to characterize

known material. Standard is the older term.

6. Holographic Document. Any document completely written and signed by ,one-person;

also known as a holograph. In a number of jurisdictions a holographic will can be

probated without ényone having witnessed its execution.

7. 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.

CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

1 Documents with questioned signatures.

2. Questioned documents alleged to have been containing fraudulent alterations.

3. Questioned or disputed holographic wills.

a. Holographic Will-will entirely written in the handwriting of the testator

b. Notarial Will-signed by the testator acknowledge before a notary public with

3 witnesses.

4. Documents investigated on the question of typewriting

a. with a view of ascertaining their source

b. with a view of ascertaining their date

c. with a view of determining whether or not they contain fraudulent alterations

or substituted pages.

5. Questioned documents on issues of their age or date.

6. Questioned documents on issues of materials used in their production.

7. Documents or writings investigated because it is alleged that they identify some

persons through handwriting.

a. anonymous and disputed letters, and

b. Superscriptions, registrations and miscellaneous writings.