Questioned Documents

Questioned Document - is any signature, handwriting, typewriting or other mark whose source
or authenticity is in dispute or doubtful.

Graphology - study of the handwriting to determine personality traits.

Simulation - an attempt to disguise one's handwriting or copy someone Else's.

The following trait are considered in handwriting analysis:

1. letter form which includes curve, connections, slants, size and angle.
2. line quality which indicated the amount of pressure used by the author.
3. Arrangement which refers to spacing, formatting and alignment.

Characteristics which indicate that a handwriting sample has been forge.

1. shaky lines
2. dark, thick starts and finish
3. numerous pen lifts

 But they may also be the result of nervousness, alcohol impairment or other factors.
 The content of what a person writes is analyzed by handwriting expert. Grammatical,
style, punctuation and word choice are included in the analysis of handwriting.
 The speed or how fast a person write is not considered in handwriting analysis though
speed may affect their formatting and letter and line forms.

Calligraphy - decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering. The art of producing decorative

handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush. From Greek "Kallos"-beauty and "Graphe"-writing.

Three Stages in the Process of Handwriting Examinations

1. Analysis - the questioned and the known items are
    analyzed and broken down to directly perceptible
    characteristics.
2. Comparison - the characteristics of the questioned
    item are then compared against the known
    standard.
3. Evaluation - similarities and differences in the
    compared properties are evaluated and this
     determines which ones are valuable for a
    conclusion. This depends on the uniqueness and
    frequency of occurrence in the items.

Handwriting Exemplar - known standards - is a piece of writing that can be examined

forensically as in a handwriting comparison.
Two Types of Handwriting Exemplars
1. Request Writings - obtained from individual
    specifically for the purpose of conducting a
    handwriting comparison.
2. Collected Writings -samples the individual produced
    for some other unrelated reason generally in the
    course of their day to day activities.

Common Questioned Documents

1. Forgery
2. Counterfeiting
3. Mail Fraud
4. Kidnapping
5. embezzlement
6. Theft
7. Robbery
8. Sex Crime
9. Murder
10.Homicide

Historical Dating - work involving the verification of age and worth of a document or object.

Indicators of Forgery
1. Blunt starts ans stops
2. Pen lifts and hesitations
3. Tremor
4. Speed and Pressure
5. Patching