Questioned Document Exam.

-Lecture
Topics for Finals

CHAPTER 11

FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF ALTERATION

This lesson presents the different kinds of alteration. Also, discusses the method of decipherment
of invisible writing and ink and paper examination.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

 compare and contrast the different kinds of alteration,
 discuss the principles of tracing the age of the writing materials used in
questioned documents,
 apply how to decipher an invisible writing, and
 identify the writing instrument being used in the questioned documents.

Can you share some tips or techniques how to decipher an

invisible writing? Briefly explain your answer.
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How about technique in identifying a writing instrument?

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DEFINITION OF TERMS
ALTERATION refers to any change in the writing made
by the party thereto, or by some person entitled there under
after the instrument has been executed. Alterations are made
either by erasing, adding, subtracting or cancellation, or
interlineating or inserting. Such changes are made without
the consent of other party interested and give the instrument
a different effect from that where it originally possessed.

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 Questioned Document Exam. -Lecture
Topics for Finals

KINDS OF ALTERATION
1. ERASURE – the removal of writings, typewriting or printing, from a document is an erasure. It
may be accomplished either by mechanical or abrasive erasure or by chemical erasure.
A CHEMICAL ERADICATION – in which the writing is removed or bleached by
chemical agents (e.g., liquid ink eradicator) and an abrasive erasure is where the writing is
effaced by rubbing with a rubbing with a rubber eraser or scratching out with a knife or other
sharp with implement
2. ADDITION OR SUPERIMPOSITION – any matter made of the document after its original
preparation may be referred to as addition. When there is sufficient space between the words or
at the end of a sentence to permit the insertion or addition of a single letter or word or a
punctuation mark, such alteration may change the impact of the entire document or its monetary
value.

3. SUBTRACTION OR CANCELLATION– it refers to any matter (word, letter, number, etc.)

out, strike out or scratched out after its original preparation.
 An ALTERATION BY CANCELLATION is occasionally found in a document of importance
such as will, deed or contract where the writer intends to eliminate a word, name or sentence
without the necessity of rewriting the entire matter. The writer draws lines vertical or
horizontal lines through the writing having the effect of cancellation.
4. INSERTION OR INTERLINEATIONS (INTERCALLATION) – it is the addition of writing
and other material between lines or paragraphs or the addition of whole page to a document.

5. SUBSTITUTION - replacing original entries or writing with another.

6. OBLITERATION – the blotting out or shearing over the writing to make the original invisible
to as an addition

INDENTED WRITING, or second page writing, is the impression from the writing instrument
captured on sheets of paper below the one that contains the original writing. This often manifests itself
when pads of paper are used or in some record-keeping situations.
Methods of Alteration
1. Erasure
a. Mechanical- rubbing off with rubber eraser or scraping off with sharp instrument
b. Chemical-using ink eradicator or other bleaching solutions
2. Addition – words/figures
3. Substitution- on pages
4. Interlineations or intercalation- between lines
5. Superimposition-overwriting/ overlapping
6. Obliteration- masking, smeared- overwriting with black or opaque materials
7. Cancellation- to remove by cutting out or stamping lines across written matter to signify its
omission

DECIPHERMENT OF INVISIBLE WRITING

When a spy or any agent has to send any secret message, they transfer it through written text to
conceal their writings. Some precise methods are used to hide the written text, i.e., secret inks. It can
be deciphered using specific techniques.

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 Questioned Document Exam. -Lecture
Topics for Finals

Secret writing is a way to communicate through writing by hiding the written text, by encoding
or deciphering. It is an art to hide or cover writing. Sometimes Ciphers and Codes are placed mistakenly
under the “secret writing” heading. However, it is precise only by taking the expression in its most
ordinary sense because the writing is covered in any way. Ciphers and codes hide the definite message.

Techniques involved in writing secret texts are carbon copies and invisible ink. This way of
sending a text is used from ancient times until the primary twentieth century; modern ways like
microdots conceal secret writing. Along with the above topics, we will also discuss its history to
enhance your knowledge of secret writing.

Techniques to Hide and Decipher the Written Text

1. Invisible Ink.
 A form of secret writing children is aware of due to its involvement in their projects. It uses citric
juice such as lemon juice, the most appropriate option as it dries without leaving any sign of its
usage. Juice act as ink, used on a tool (fine stylus). After it dries, acid is still present on the paper.
When we apply heat, the hidden text is exposed.
 When the paper is exposed to U.V. light, the invisible ink emits fluorescence in a visible region,
making the secret text visible. 
 Another type of this ink is milk, a mild acid. Apple juice, vinegar, or white wine can also be used.
In history, saliva, sweat, urine, etc., were used as invisible ink. After they adhere to the surface of
the paper, the ink weakens it even after their evaporation. 
 We can also use a mixture of baking soda and water. After it dries, apply grape juice by brush.
The acids of grape juice react with the base, i.e., baking soda, and expose the message. 
2. Carbon Copies

 In the period between the late 19th & early 20th century, carbon copies were a way of secret
writing. Central Intelligence Agency includes a method unlike the current methods while one
signs a credit-card receipt. The back is infused with graphite. While signing the receipt front, the
applied pressure transferred graphite on the second page leaves an impression written by a
pencil.
 The CIA type of this method involves a paper that contains a specific chemical that becomes
invisible when it is transferred to the second paper. It engraved the secret writing on the backside
of the envelope, which is mailed to agents via regular channel. Water and heat develop or
exposes the secret writing, which is then read.