The technology was first transferred to Korea in 600 and then imported to Japan around
MODULE 610 by a Buddhist priest, Dam Jing from Goguryeo, where fibres (called bast) from the
QUESTIONED DOCUMENT
PRELIMINARY
UNIT I
This unit presents an overview and historical development of Papers and pen. This also
include the study of handwriting and document.
Brief History
Invention of Paper
The word paper comes from the ancient Egyptian writing material called papyrus, which
was woven from papyrus plants. Papyrus was produced as
early as 3000 BCE in Egypt, and in ancient Greece and
Rome. Further north, parchment or vellum, made of
processed sheepskin or calfskin, replaced papyrus, as the
papyrus plant requires subtropical conditions to grow. In
China, documents were ordinarily written on bamboo,
making them heavy and awkward to transport. Silk was sometimes used, but was
normally too expensive to consider. Indeed, most of the above materials were rare and
costly.
Ts’ai Lun
The Chinese court official Ts’ai Lun described the modern method of papermaking in
AD 105; he was the first person to describe how to make paper from cotton rags. Other
sources trace the invention of this type of papermaking to China in
150 BCE.
It spread slowly outside of China; other East Asian cultures, even
after seeing paper, could not figure out how to make it themselves.
Instruction in the manufacturing process was required, and the Chinese were reluctant
to share their secrets.
Credits is hereby given to Mrs. Jaylynne Escalona, MsCrim for her substantial contribution as regards to this notes
machine. Fifty years after the mechanization of the process, the price of paper had
dropped by almost one half.
Together with the invention of the practical fountain pen and the mass-produced
pencil of the same period, and in conjunction with the advent of the steam-driven rotary
printing press, wood-based paper caused a major transformation of the 19th-century
economy and society in industrialized countries.
Before this era, a book or a newspaper was a rare luxury object, and illiteracy was
the norm. With the gradual introduction of cheap paper, schoolbooks, fiction,
nonfiction, and newspapers became slowly available to nearly all members of society.
Cheap wood-based paper also meant that keeping personal diaries or writing letters
ceased to be reserved to a privileged few. The office worker or the white-collar worker
was slowly born of this transformation, which can be considered as a part of the
industrial revolution.
THE EVOLUTION OF PEN
Pencils
The earliest pencils date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used flat cakes
of lead to mark faint black lines on papyrus (an early form of paper) to guide writers. In
the Middle Ages, people used thin rods of lead or silver for drawing. The marking ability
of graphite was discovered in the 1500’s, and the first modern pencil—that is, one
consisting of a wood case glued around a stick of graphite—was made in the late 1700’s.
In 1795, Nicholas Jacques Conte, a French chemist, developed a pencil of powdered
graphite and clay. His mixture proved to be as smooth and hard as pure graphite. Conte
also discovered that a harder or softer writing core could be produced by varying the
proportions of clay and graphite.
In the mid-1800’s, William Monroe, a Massachusetts cabinetmaker, invented a
machine that cut and grooved wood slats precisely enough to make pencils. About the
same time, the American inventor Joseph Dixon developed the method of cutting single
cedar cylinders in half to receive the core and then gluing them back together. In 1861,
the first pencil-making factory in the United States was built in New York City by
Eberhard Faber, an American manufacturer. The first mechanical pencil was patented by
the Eagle Pencil Company in 1879.
As early as 4,000 B.C., ancient peoples used crude pens consisting of hollow straws
mulberry tree were used.
Papermaking Technology
After further commercial trading and the defeat of the Chinese in the Battle of
Talas, the invention spread to the Middle East, where it was adopted in India and
subsequently in Italy in about the 13th century. They used hemp and linen rags as a
source of fiber. The oldest known paper document in the West is the Missal of Silos from
the 11th century.
Some historians speculate that paper was the key element in global cultural
advancement. According to this theory, Chinese culture was less developed than the
West in ancient times because bamboo, while abundant, was a clumsier writing material
than papyrus. Chinese culture advanced during the Han Dynasty and preceding
centuries due to the invention of paper; and Europe advanced during the Renaissance
due to the introduction of paper and the printing press.
The Modern Papermaking Process
Paper remained a luxury item through the centuries, until the advent of
steam-driven papermaking machines in the 19th century, which could make paper with
fibers from wood pulp. Although older machines predated it, the Fourdrinier machine
became the basis for most modern papermaking.
In 1807, the Fourdrinier papermaking
machine was patented in France. This
machine worked by a continuous
process: pulp was fed onto a belt of
wire cloth that was continually
moving, so that the sheet was left on
the surface while the water drained
through the wire.
The paper was smoothed on rotating heated cylinders, or calendars, and on to the
reel. This was cut up into the appropriate length of sheets, which were then traditionally
counted into reams. The Fourdrinier brothers were able to increase their production of
paper ten-fold, from 60 to 100 lbs. per day by hand, to 1,000 lbs. per day using their new
or reeds that supported a short column of liquid. During the 500’s B.C., people began to
make pens from the wing feathers of such birds as geese and swans. The shaft of the
feathers was hardened, and the writing tip was shaped and slit to make writing easy.
These feather pens were known as quill pens, and they were widely used until the
development of steel-nib pens in the 1800’s.  
By the late 1800’s, inventors had perfected an early version of the fountain pen. This
pen represented a major improvement over previous pens, because it featured an ink
reservoir and a capillary feed. Earlier pens held only a small amount of ink at a time and
had to be repeatedly dipped in ink.
THE FIRST FOUNTAIN PEN
In 1883, L. E. Waterman, an insurance salesman, purchased a writing contraption
with its own ink reservoir. But when it leaked, ruining a sale, he got an idea for a better
one and decided to make it himself. In those days a salesman often wore a vest chain with
a small metal container holding a vial of ink in one pocket and a collapsible penholder in
the other. Waterman examined several so-called pocket pens and saw that none of them
had a mechanism for the sure control of ink flow. He determined to invent one. Applying
the principle of capillary attraction, he designed a feed with a groove for air intake and
three narrow slits in the bottom of the groove. As air bubbles interred, they pressed
against the ink in the barrel and the ink descended through the slits in a uniform flow to
the pen point.
This device was so novel the Patent Office granted a patent in 1884, only a few
months after the filing. Waterman claimed that his new mechanism would "prevent the
excessive discharge of the ink when the pen is in use." It was the first practical fountain
pen and its three-fissure feed became the standard principle for all other makes
produced thereafter.
Waterman started assembling his pens on a kitchen table in the rear of a cigar store.
In September of 1885 he started to advertise. After that Waterman’s Ideal rode the road to
fortune.
The Waterman Company (L. E. Waterman died in 1901.
The first Ball Point Pen
 The first patent for a ball point pen was No. 392,046, granted October 30, 1888, to
John J. Loud of Weymouth, Mass. Loud used the pen to mark leather fabrics. Another ball
point pen device was patented by Van Vechten Riesburg in 1916. Both patents lapsed
without improvement renewal.
Ballpoint pens received little notice until World War 11(1939-1945). Many pilots
began using ballpoint pens during this conflict, because such pens did not leak at high
altitudes. After the war, ballpoint pens became increasingly popular. Soft-tip pens and
rolling-ball pens both were introduced during the 1960’s.
The first ball point pen to replace the then common "fountain pen" was introduced
by Milton Reynolds in 1945. It used a tiny ball bearing which rolled heavy gelatin ink onto
the paper. The Reynolds Pen was a crude writing instrument, but it sold like "hot cakes"
when first introduced at a price of $10, using the slogan "It writes under water."
Competition finally forced prices down to less than 10 cents for ball point pens by 1960.
By then the Reynolds pen had disappeared from the market place.
Questioned Document Examination
The history of questioned documents dates back to 3rd century A.D. However, scientific
document examination started around the 18th century. From the start of civilization,
Forgeries had been in use for violation of laws to change the seals, handwriting,
preparing official documents, signatures, etc.
The first case reported regarding the document examination was in the 3rd century.
During that time, Imperial Rome was famous for forgers. Titus and Anthony were the
famous and most skilled forgers of that time known for forging all kinds of documents.
There was a need to stop forgeries at that time and Roman Law mandated that the
procedures must be followed to detect forgeries in documents and the authenticity of
documents.
In the 6th century (around 539 AD), Justinian code was established by a Roman emperor
Justinian in which the guidelines for document examination were mandated. The
Justinian code made sure that a judge could ask a person with special skills to examine
the disputed documents and give testimony regarding the authenticity of a document.
During that time the experts were considered as master writers in France. every country
started to follow to detect forgeries and other document related crimes. 
embezzlement, gambling, organized crime, white collar crime, art crime, theft, robbery,
arson, burglary, homicide, serial number, psychological profiling, and deviant sex crime.
The examination of questioned document falls into two broad classes:
1. Criminalistics Examination – for detection of forgeries, alteration and obliterations.
2. Handwriting Identification – to find out who is the author of the writing.
The Criminalistics Examination of questioned document is similar to other kinds of
laboratory work. Dr. Wilson Harrison, the noted British Examiner of questioned
document says that an intelligent police investigator can detect almost 75 % of all his
magnifiers and measuring tools. The examination of document in the criminalistics
laboratory is also a scientific procedure which can be learned in a very short time.
TECHNICAL TERMS IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT
⚫DOCUMENT – Any material which contain marks, symbol or signs, either visible,
partially visible or invisible that may presently or ultimately convey meaning to
someone.
⚫QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS – Any document about which some issues have been
raised or under scrutiny.
⚫Questioned – Any material which some issue has been raised or which is under
scrutiny.
⚫Disputed Document – A term suggesting that there is an argument or controversy
over the document and strictly speaking this is true meaning. However, disputed
and questioned document are used interchangeably to signify a document that is
under special scrutiny.
⚫HANDWRITING – It is the result of a very complicated series of act being as a whole
a combination of a certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by
a long continued painstaking effort
⚫SIGNATURE – Is name of person written by himself on a document as sign of
acknowledgement
⚫CHARACTERISTICS – Is any property or mark which distinguishes and in
document examination commonly refers to the identifying details. There are two
groups of characteristics
Photographers also considered themselves as handwriting experts during the 1890s after
the invention of photography because they had the advantage of analyzing handwriting
characteristics using cameras by enlarging the alphabets for comparison.
In a famous case, Alphonse Bertillon (inventor of Anthropometry) was also a
photographer and using the technology accused an army person of forgery which was
later challenged by the experts from the US  and England.
After the challenge, the charges against the army officer were exonerated by the courts.
During the 1890s handwriting examination was common and two experts Hagen and
Frazer published a book on disputed documents.
During the 1900s, Albert Sherman Osborn wrote many articles related to typewriting
identification in 1901 before publishing a book titled “Questioned Documents”.
With some modifications in the first edition of the book, he published a new edition of
the book in 1929 which set a base for the examination of questioned documents as the
books are still in use.
Albert S. Osborn was named as the father of questioned documents due to his
contribution to the field of questioned documents. His other publications included The
problem of proof (1922), The mind of the Juror (1937) and Questioned document
problems (1944).
In 1942, ASQDE (American society of Questioned document examination) was
established with the main focus of education and research in the field of questioned
document examination.
ASQDE is still working and continuously contributing to the field of document
examination.
Please see the Timeline here:
https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/oles/MSSFHA-20130604-Osborn-rev.pdf
TOPIC II. STUDY OF HANDWRITING AND DOCUMENT
Questioned Document Examination has been a profession, at least since 1870, and
is frequently done in cases of forgery, counterfeiting, mail, kidnapping, con games,
* Class Characteristics – not all characteristics encountered in document
examination are peculiar to a single person or thing, and one which is common to a
group may be described as class characteristics
* Individual Characteristics – A characteristics which is highly personal or
peculiar and is likely to occur in other instances are best described as individual
⚫HABIT – Is any repeated element or detail which may serve to individualize writing
⚫QUALITY – Is a distinct or peculiar character. In this text, quality is used in
describing handwriting to refer to any identifying factor which is related to the
writing movement itself.
⚫NATURAL VARIATION – The normal or usual deviation found in repeated
specimen of any individual handwriting
⚫LINE QUALITY – Is the overall character of the written strokes from the initial to
the terminal
⚫STROKE – Are series of lines or curves within a single letter
⚫SKILL – Is the proficiency in the art of writing, usually described to dexterity and
legibility in writing
⚫SLANT – Is the angle or inclination of the axis of letters relative to the baseline
⚫BASELINE – The ruled or imaginary line upon which the writing rest
⚫NATURAL WRITING – Any specimen of writing executed normally without any
attempt to control or alter its identifying habits and its usual quality of execution
⚫DISGUISED WRITING – A writer may deliberately try to alter his usual writing
habits in hopes of hiding his identity
⚫SIGNIFICANT WRITING HABITS –This term is applied to any characteristics of
handwriting which is sufficiently unique and well-fixed to serve as a fundamental
point in the identification
⚫HIATUS – Is a gap between strokes. This is influenced by speed of writing,
defective writing instrument
⚫PEN-LIFT – Is an interruption in stroke caused by removing or lifting the writing
instrument from the paper
⚫HESITATION – It is the irregular thickening of the ink line when the writing slows
down or stops while the writer takes stock of the position.
⚫LATERAL SPACING – Is the horizontal spacing between letters or words.
⚫ALIGNMENT – Is the relation of parts of the whole line of writing or line of
individual letter in words to the baseline.
⚫TREMOR – Is an irregular shaky stroke
 ⚫RHYTHM – Is the flowing succession of motion which are
⚫recorded or the harmonious recurrence of stress or impulse
⚫PROPOTION – Relation of the tall and short letters
⚫PEN PRESSURE – The average force with which the pen contracts the paper
⚫PATCHING – Retouching or going back over a defective writing strokes
⚫SHADING –The widening of ink stroke due to added pressure on a flexible pen
point or the use of such pen
⚫GUIDED SIGNATURE – Signatures executed while the writers hand is steadied
anyway
⚫RETRACING – Stroke which goes back another stroke
⚫SEQUENCE OF STROKE – The order in which writing stokes are placed on
the paper.
⚫STANDARD DOCUMENTS – Are condensed and compact set of authentic
specimen which if adequate and proper should contain a true cross-section of the
material from a known source.
⚫Holograph Document – is a document which is completely written and signed by
one person.
LEGAL ASPECTS OF DOCUMENTS
A. Legal Basis of Documents:
1. In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA 338 O.G. 119: any written document by
which a right is established or an obligation is extinguished.
2. In the case of People vs. Nillosquin, CA 48 O.G. 4453: every deed or
instrument executed by person by which some disposition or agreement is
proved, evidenced or setforth.
3. Documentary evidence. — Documents as evidence consist of writing or any
material containing letters, words, numbers, figures, symbols or other modes
of written expression offered as proof of their contents.( Rule 130, section 2,
Rules of Evidence)
B. The Original of a Document
Original of document. (Section 4, Rule 130, Rules of Court)
(a) The original of the document is one the contents of which are the subject of
inquiry.
(b) When a document is in two or more copies executed at or about the same
time, with identical contents, all such copies are equally regarded as originals.
creation, they are authorized to issue and be issued in the performance of
their duties.
3. Private Document – executed by a private person without the intervention of
notary public or of any person legally authorized, by which documents, some
disposition or agreement is proved evidenced or set forth (US vs Orera, 11
Phil. 596).
4. Commercial Document – executed in accordance with the Code of
Commerce or any Mercantile Law, containing disposition of commercial
rights or obligations.
5. Electronic Document (E- Documents) – exist only in electronic form such as
data stored on a computer, network, backup, archive or other storage media.
Examples of documents subject to e-discovery are e-mails, voicemails, instant
messages, e-calendars, audio files, data on handheld devices,
animation,metadata, graphics, photographs, speedsheets, websites,drawings
and other types of digital data. (Governed by RA 8792)
WRITINGS WHICH DO NOT CONSTITUTE AS DOCUMENTS – based on some Supreme
Court Rulings.
1. A draft of a Municipalof payroll which is not yet approved by the proper authority
(People vs. Camacho, 44 Phil. 484).
2. Mere blank forms of official documents, the spaces of which are not filled up
(People vs. Santiago, CA, 48 O.G. 4558)
3. Pamphlets or books which do not evidence any disposition or agreement are not
documents but are mere merchandise (People vs. Agnis, 47 Phil. 945).
PROCESSES IN SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF EXAMINATION
a. Analysis – properties or characteristics are observed, measured and determined.
b. Comparison – properties or characteristics of the unknown items determined thru
analysis are compared with the familiar or recorded properties of known items.
c. Evaluation – similarities or dissimilarities in property or characteristics that have
certain value for identification are determined by their likelihood or occurrence.
(c) When an entry is repeated in the regular course of business, one being
copied from another at or near the time of the transaction, all the entries are
likewise equally regarded as originals.
C. The Original Document Rule
The original document rule is intended to ensure the accuracy and to avoid the
risk of mistransmission of the contents of a writing. It is intended to prevent the
possibility of the commission of fraud or perjury or substitution.
This rule is provided in section 3, rule 130,
“When the subject of an inquiry is the contents of a
document, writing, recording, photograph, or other records,
no evidence is admissible other than the original document
itself, except in the following cases:
a. When the original is lost, destroyed, or cannot be produced
in court, without bad faith on the part of the offeror;
b. When the original is in the custody or control of the adverse
party and the latter fails to produce it after reasonable
notice, or the original cannot be obtained by local judicial
processes or procedures;
c. When the original consistsof numerous accounts or other
documents which cannot be examined in court without
great loss of time and the fact sought to be established from
them is only the general result of the whole;
d. When the original is a public record in the custody of a
public officer or is recorded in a public office;
e. When the original is not closely related to the controlling
issue.
C. Kinds of Document:
1. Public Document – notarized by a notary public or competent public official
with solemnities required by law. (Cacnio vs. Baens, 5 Phil. 742)
Significance of a Public Document
Presumption of Regularity
2. Official Document – issued by the government or its agents or its officers
having the authority to do so and the offices, which in accordance with their
d. Verification – It is the process of double checking the accuracy and correctness of
the examination usually conducted by other experts in the said field.
The examination involves, therefore, the recognition, complete comparison, and
correct interpretation or evaluation of the handwriting.
CRITERION FOR SCIENCE
a. Accuracy – correspondence between results obtained and the truth.
b. Precision – measure of the consistency of results obtained in repeated study or
experimentation.
No two people write exactly alike: the writing process is so complex that personal
peculiarities always persist in the handwriting of any given individual. Detailed
examination reveals these hidden characteristics which can then form the basis for an
experts’ opinion.
BASIC REQUIREMENT IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION (PNP-CLO SOP)
A. Request
1. Document examination shall be based on written request from any investigating
agency of the government, court order and/ or private requesting party,
provided that the letter has been approved by the director, PNPCL.
2. Document previously examined by any competent agencies of the government
shall not be re-examined except there is a court order.
3. If the case is undergoing trial in court, disputed documents shall be examined
only upon order of the court having jurisdiction of the case.
B. Standard Specimens
The specimens to be submitted will be dependent on the questioned
documents under investigation. First, the original document is necessary and the
standards to be collected or requested should be sufficient; and observance of
similarity of subject matters is necessary.
THE LOGICAL PROGRESS OF INQUIRY IN DOCUMENT EXAMINATION.
A. FIRST – ASCERTAIN THE FACTS: to select “QUESTIONED, DENIED OR
ADMITTED,AUTHENTIC, and DOUBTFUL documents.
1. Concerning the Document in Questioned.
 a. Is only one signature in questioned? ⚫Two kinds of signature
b. Is any part of the document in question? 1. conventional – letters are readable
c. Is the date of the document in questioned? 2. Highly individualized – consist of many intertwining strokes and
d. Is the paper or the typewriter used in the document in questioned? ornamentations
⚫Categories of forgery
2. Regarding the Standards: 1. Simple Forgery
a. Make sure that there are sufficient numbers of authentic document for 2. Simulated
comparison submitted. If there are inadequate standards, obtain more. 3. Traced Forgery
b. Determine whether the standards are authentic ones, on which a
foundation can be built for admitting them in evidence. II - Documents containing fraudulent alteration
⚫Mechanical
B. SECOND – ANALYZE THE DETAILS: Synthesize the elements, date, ⚫Physical erasure
circumstances, conditions, technical problems and the like. ⚫Chemical erasures
1. The examiner after ascertaining the facts, should have detailed information ⮚ Addition
as to a circumstances of the document in questioned, the condition of an ⮚ Interlineations
alleged writer, or of any condition that may have affected the writing or ⮚ Substitution
typewriting or any facts that are part of the technical problem with the
document that is submitted to the expert. III -Holograph Documents Questioned or Disputed
2. He should inquire about the circumstances and conditions as far as the client ⚫Examination of holographic doc
knows, such as; was the document signed sitting on the wall, on the lap, or 1. General features
lying in bed? Sitting on bed, lying on his back or side? For example, a 2. Movement and manner of writing
document could have been signed in a moving automobile or while having a 3. Pen pressure and shading
drink at the bar. 4. Special features
5. Paper and Ink
C. THIRD- QUALIFY THE CASE: 6. Writing instrument
1. How much time is needed for the examination?
2. Is it possible to complete the study from the original papers, or is it necessary IV - Documents attacked on their age or date
to make special photo-enlargements for proper examination? ⚫Investigation as to the possible age of documents includes the following:
3. If it is possible to make arrangements with the client for photo-enlargement, 1. Paper and water marks
is it advisable to do so? 2. Manner of binding and stapling
4. Photo-enlargements are always useful for demonstrating the reasons on 3. Tense or verbs in reference to events
which the opinion is based, especially in Court. 4. Impressed or printed seals
5. Nib marks or steel pen in ancient documents

CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS V – Documents attacked on Question of material used in their production
⚫Writing materials (paper)
I-Questioned Signature ⮚ Papyrus

⮚ Parchment
⮚ Vellum
⮚ Chlorine
⮚ Esparto
UNIT II
⮚ Sulphate
This unit presents the examination of questioned documents, other technical terms in
questioned document, the procedure in conducting preliminary investigation of
Material used in their production
documents, the Do’s and Don’ts in handling documents under scrutiny, strokes
⚫Writing instrument (pen)
characteristics of a handwriting, Standard and Exemplars, apparatus used in conducting
⮚ Quill pen
document examination and the like.
⮚ Reed pen/swamp reed
⮚ Ball point Pen TOPIC I. Document and Questioned Document Examination
⮚ Fiber tip pens

DEFINITION OF TERMS
VI - Documents Investigated on the Question of type Writing
⚫With a view of ascertaining their source A. Addition – Any matter made a part of the document after its original preparation
⚫With a view of determining their date may be referred to as addition. When there is sufficient space between the words
⚫With a view of determining whether or not they contain fraudulent alteration or or at the end of a sentence to permit the insertion or addition of a single letter or
substituted dates word or s punctuation mark, such alteration may change the impact of the entire
document or its monetary value.
VII Doc. investigated because it is alleged that they identify person through Handwriting B. Alteration – Refers to any change in the writing made by the party thereto, or by
⚫Anonymous or disputed letters some person entitled there under the instrument has been executed. Alterations
⚫Superscriptions, registrations and miscellaneous writings made either by erasing, adding, subtracting or cancellation, or interlineating or
inserting. Such changes are made without the consent of other party interested
VIII - Genuine Documents erroneously attacked and give the instrument a different effect from where it originally processed.
⚫Whether a certain writing is genuine of forged C. Cancellation or Subtraction – It refers to any matter (word, letter, number, etc) out,
⚫Whether a certain writing will identify the writer 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
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.
D. Conclusion – A scientific conclusion results from relating observed facts by
logical, common- sense reasoning in accordance with established rules or laws.
The document examiner’s conclusion, in legal term is referred to as “opinion”.
 E. Document Examiner – refers to anyone who studies scientifically the details and
elements of document in order to identify their source or to discover other facts
concerning them.
F. 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 rubber eraser or scratching out with a knife or
other sharp with implement.
G. Examination – Act of making a close and critical study of any material and with
questioned documents; it is the process necessary to discover the facts about them.
H. Expert Witness – A legal term used to describe a witness who by reason of his
special training or experience is permitted to express an opinion regarding the
issue, or a certain aspect of the issue, which is involved in a court action.
I. Forensic Document Examiner – It refers to a person who studies all aspects of a
document to determine its authenticity, origin, handwriting, photocopies, inks and
papers.
J. Handwriting Identification Expert – A common name for the document
examiner.
K. Identification (Identity) – It is the state of being identical or absolutely the same as
in similar of source or authorship of the questioned and the standard document.
L. Insertion or interlineations (Intercalation) – it is the addition of writing and other
material between lines or paragraphs or the addition of whole page to a document.
M. Non-Identification (Non-Identity) – it means that the source or authorship of the
compared questioned and standard specimens is different.
N. Obliteration – The blotting out or shearing over the writing to make the original
invisible to as an addition.
O. Opinion – it refers to the Document Examiner’s conclusion. Actually in Court, he
not only expresses an opinion but demonstrates the reasons for arriving at his
opinion.
P. Qualification – The professional experience, education and ability of a document
examiner. Before he is permitted to testify as an expert witness, the court must rule
that he is qualified in his field.
RATIONALE
or not. It is not misnomer, for in reality it consists of painstaking analysis more than
looking at a document and expressing an off- hand opinion.
Importance of Preliminary examination of questioned document:
1. To ensure preparedness
2. Avoidance of delay
3. Ensures success of the case
Who is a QDE? One who has:
1. Attained the appropriate education and training;
2. Sufficient knowledge on the technical, scientific, and legal aspects of
document examinations; and
3. A board experience in handling questioned document cases.
Reasons for utilizing a QDE:
1. Assurance of preparedness
2. Trial fiscal or judges are infrequently confronted with document cases;
consequently, they do not possess the knowledge of document expert’s
ability of the various methods that exist for determining forgeries.
3. Avoidance of an “OFF-HAND” opinion.
OFF-Hand opinion is usually a conclusion that is not based on thorough scientific
examination.
The danger of Off-Hand opinions – It has happened in some cases that an off-hand
opinion has sent an innocent man to prison, while murderer was given a chance to
escape.
TOPIC II. Instruments and Techniques in the examination of Questioned Documents
1. Microscopic Examination – Stereoscopic examination with low and high-power
objectives is used to detect retouching, patching and unnatural pen lift in signature
analysis.
2. Transmitted Light Examination – Documents are subjected to this type of examination
to determine the presence of erasures.
Generally, examination of questioned documents is restricted to Scientific
Comparison which means that determination of authenticity, genuineness, falsification
or forgery lies on the availability of known standards for comparison. In questioned
document examination especially in the investigations of handwritings and signature,
the Law of Multiplicity of Evidence is often applied. However, evaluation of the
similarities of the questioned and known specimens gives emphasis on the existence of
corresponding occurrence. After thorough comparison, the following principle of
identification is applied:
“ When two items contain a combination of corresponding or similar and specially
oriented characteristics of such number and significance as to preclude the possibility of
their occurrence by mere coincidence and there are no unaccounted for differences, it
may be concluded that they are same in their characteristics attributed to the same
cause.”
FORMS/ASPECTS OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMIANTION
a. Handwriting Examination (Graphology/Graphoanalysis)
1. Examination of signatures and initials
2. Examination of anonymous letters
3. Hand printing examination
b. Examination of Typewriting and typeprints
c. Examination of Inks
d. Examination of Erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc
1. Detection of alteration
2. Decipherment of erased writings
3. Restoration of obliterated writings
e. Counterfeiting
1. Examination of currency bills and coins
2. Examination of fake documents
f. Miscellaneous aspects
1. Determination of age of documents
2. Identification of stamps
3. Examination of seal and other authenticating devices.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS – It is the initial examination
conducted on a document by a document examiner to determine whether it Is genuine
4. Photographic Examination – This type of examination is very essential in every
document examination
4. Magnifying Lens– Bank personnel and other people involved in currency
examinations usually use and ordinary hand-lens; the maximum diameter of which is
four inches, and this appears big with its wide frame it has a magnifying power of two
time the original only. Magnifying lenses of five times or more magnifying power, with
built-in-lighting more useful.
5. Shadowgraph – A pictorial image formed by casting a shadow, usually of the hands,
upon a rightful surface or screen.
6. Measures and Test Plates (Transparent Glass) – those used for signature and
typewriting.
7. Table Lamps with Adjustable Shades (Goose Neck Lamps) – used for controlled
illumination; needed in sidelight examination wherein light is placed at a low-angle in
apposition oblique to plane or document.
8. Ultra Violet Lamp – this is usually used in the detection of counterfeited bills but can
actually be used to detect security features of qualified documents.
9. Infrared Viewer – primarily used to decipher writings in a charred document.
10. Comparison Microscope – similar to the bullet comparison microscope
11. Video Spectral Comparator (VCS – it is used in the examination of masked or
obliterated text, watermarks, visible fluorescence paper, paper fluorescence and
oblique illumination of indented writing and embossing.
12. Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)- the device that can detect indention/
indented writings can records transparencies of any indentations.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION
A. Purpose of Photographs in QDE:
⮚ serve as record of the initial condition of a disputed document;
⮚ make clear what otherwise may be hidden or indistinct;
⮚ enlarge a writing in question so that every quality and characteristics of it can
be clearly and properly interpreted whether the facts so shown point to
genuineness or to forgery;
⮚ enable any number of accurate reproductions of document, thus affording
unlimited opportunity for study, comparison and evaluation by any number of
examiners, which would not be possible by using the document alone;
⮚ allow cutting apart as may be desired and the various parts classified for
comparisons;
 ⮚ can show delicate discolorations due to chemical erasures or other fraudulent
changes, which may otherwise be overlooked, or misinterpreted.
⮚ can show very clearly any erasures by abrasions made by ordinarily rubber
eraser and it can record in permanent form with the paper placed obliquely to
the plane of the lens and plate and inclined at just right angle of reflection so as
to show differences in the reflected light from different portions of the paper
surface; and
⮚ with transmitted light, photographs is useful in:
a. examination of watermarks
b. determining the identify, or difference in paper showing arrangement of
the fibers and the markings of the wire gauze and dandy roll
c. showing the continuity of strokes and
that create a suspicion of previous pencil marks, or experiments as proof of
attempted forgery.
5. Pointing a document with any other instruments, such as sharp stick, can cause
slight damage which although it cannot be seen by the naked eye, can show
definite marks under the microscope o on the enlarged photographs.
6. No test should be made to alter the conditions of the document; for example, the
old-fashioned ink test, which was used to determine the age of the ink-writing.
7. Should any test be necessary, insist that it should be done in the presence of a
chemist or in court or in front both parties involved in the case.
DO’s and DON’T’s in the CARE, HANDLING and PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS
A. DO’s

d. determining retouching or patching of a writing by showing clearly the ✔ Take the disputed papers to Document Examiner’s Laboratory at the first

presence of added ink film and the uneven distribution of ink in interrupted opportunity.

strokes. ✔ if storage is necessary, keep in dry plate away from excessive heat strong light.
✔ Maintain in consequential document, unfolded and in transparent plastic envelope

HANDLING OF DOCUMENTS AND QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS or evidence preserver.

THE CARE OF DISPUTED DOCUMENTS AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE: B. DON’T’s

1. It is basic requirement, that when a document becomes disputed and deposited in ✔ Do not underscore, make careless markings, fold, erase, impress rubber stamps,

court or with the attorney, in order to maintain its original condition, it should be striker, write on, or otherwise alter any handwriting.

kept unfolded and in a separate, proper size envelope or folder. This is true not ✔ Do not smear with fingerprints powder or chemicals

only for the disputed documents, but for many other important documentary ✔ Do not handle carry handwriting document carelessly in wallet, notebook or brief

evidence. case on grounds of interviews.

2. It is also advisable that right after the document becomes disputed, or questioned, ✔ Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry them in pocket for a long time.

it is important to make not only the usual photo static copy (XEROX), but also a ✔ Do not marked disputed documents (either by consciously writing instrument or

proper photograph of photo-enlargement, done if possible by the document dividers)

expert or under the supervision of the document expert. ✔ Do not mutilate or damage repeated refolding, creasing, cutting, tearing or

3. When working in the preparation of case, it is often necessary for the lawyer or punching for filing purposes.

court to handle repeatedly the disputed document. Should this be necessary, ✔ Do not allow anyone except qualified specialist to make chemical or tests; do not

instead of handling and working with the original document, the photograph treat or dust for latent finger prints before consulting a document examiner.

should be used.
4. Every touching, folding, refolding or pointing to certain parts of the document, can
change the physical condition of the case. For example, touching with wet hands
or fingers can create smearing in the ink, pointing with a pencil can leave marks

TOPIC III. Handwriting Identification and Examination - Ordinary Copy book form
- Usual systematic slant – inclination of the letters related to the baseline
MOVEMENT IN HANDWRITING - Ordinary scale of proportion or ratio
a. Finger movement – Most of the letters are formed by the action of the thumb, first - Conventional spacing
and middle fingers. This is the most inferior movement in writing. It results to poor 2. Individual Characteristics – are characteristics which are highly personal and
quality and lack of rhythm and speed. peculiar and are unlikely to occur in other instances.
b. Hand movement –The action directly comes from the wrist with the combination
of the fingers. This movement affords more expensive more regularity of the lines KINDS OF HANDWRITING
and considerable speed in movement. 1. cursive
c. FOREARM MOVEMENT – Letters forms are made due to the action of the elbow. 2. scripted
The forearm usually resting on the writing surface the hand starts to write letters 3. block
produced area clear-cut, fine in quality and are with regular gradation of heavy and
light pressures, especially in the formation of curves, slopes and up and down TWELVE POINTS OF COMPARISON
strokes. ⚫uniformity of writings
d. WHOLE FOREARM MVOEMENT – The center of the action is the shoulder. This ⚫irregularities
method is usually employed by creative and demonstrative writer who are fond of ⚫size and proportion
artistic design. ⚫alignment
⚫spacing
QUALITY OF MOVEMENT ⚫degree of slant
1. Clumsy, illiterate and halting ⚫wight of strokes
2. Hesitating and painful due to weakness and illness ⚫t-bars and i-dots
3. Strong , heavy and forceful ⚫needle the wedge,round, flat
4. Nervous and irregular ⚫loops
5. Smooth. Flowing and rapid ⚫circle formation
⚫initial and final strokes
SPEED – Slow and drawn; deliberate; average and rapid

Indication of Genuine HW
Different Movements employed affect writing in – Smoothness; Directions; Uniformity; ⮚ Habitual Speed of writing
Continuity of strokes and connecting or curves between letters. ⮚ Firmness of strokes
⮚ Degree of Skill
GROUP OF MUSCLES IN HANDWRITING MOVEMENT ⮚ Pattern of shading and emphasis
1. FLEXOR – The muscle that push the pen to form downward strokes ⮚ Fundamental muscular movement
2.EXTENSOR –The muscle that push up the pen to form upward strokes ⮚ Coordination, rhythm, Continuity and freedom
3. LUBRICAL – Muscle that form the lateral movement/strokes

Indication of forgery
HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS ⮚ Hesitation
1. Common or Class Characteristic ⮚ Unnatural pen lift
 ⮚ Patching B. Disguised – those writings that are disguised and in which the writer seeks to hide
⮚ Tremor his own personality without adapting that of another.
⮚ Uncertainty of movement With these, the purpose of handwriting examination is to determine whether
⮚ Drawn quality and devoid of free normal movement handwriting is forged or whether it is genuine or that of another.

OTHER TERMINOLOGIES CONCERNING STROKES: TYPES OF HANDWRITING ACCORDING TO MUSCULAR CONTROL

1. Airstroke – The movement of the pen as it is raised from the paper and continues
in the same direction in the air.
2. Covering stroke – A stroke that necessarily covers another stroke in a concealing
action.
3. Final – The ending stroke on a letter when it is at the end of a word.
4. Upstroke – Movement of the pen away from the writer.
5. Sequence of Strokes – The order in which writing strokes are placed on the paper
is referred to as their sequence.
6. Supported of Strokes – upstrokes partially covering the previous downstrokes.
Originally taught in European schools.
7. Trait Stroke – school on handwriting analysis that assigns personality trait manners
to individual writing strokes.
QUALITIES OF THE STROKES:
1. Expansion – whether the movement is extended or limited in its range with
respect to both vertical and horizontal dimension.
2. Co-ordination – whether the flow of movement is controlled or uncertain, smooth
or jerky continuous or interrupted.
3. Speed – whether the movement has been rapid or slow and whether the pace has
been steady or variable.
4. Pressure – whether the pressure exerted in the movement and its upward and
downward reach.
5. Direction – left ward and right ward trend of the movement and its upward and
downward reach.
6. Rhythm – in the sequence of movements that weave the total pattern, certain
similar phases recur at more less regular intervals.
1. Loose writing – this is characterized by too much freedom of movement and lack
or regulation. This is noticed especially in tall letters forms.
2. Restrained writing – there is lack of freedom and inhibited movements. It gives the
impression that every stroke was made with greatly difficult. This writing is small.
There is distortion of letter forms which may lead to illegibility.
PRINCIPLE IN HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION
A. When any two specimens of handwriting contain a combination of corresponding
or similar and specially oriented characteristics of such number and significance as
to preclude the possibility of their occurrence by mere coincidence, and their
writing characteristics and therefore written by one and the same person.
B. Handwritings are fixed habits.
C. These writing habits like habits of speech become so automatic and unconscious
that even by the most strenuous effort. It is almost impossible to change them. It is
one of the most permanent of human habits.
D. No duplication of handwriting by two individuals.
HANDPRINTING
A. The procedure and the principle involved are similar to that of cursive
handwriting.
B. In block capital and manuscript writings, personal individual rests principally in
design, selection, individual letter construction, size ratios and punctuation
habits. The initial step in handwriting examination is to determine whether the
questioned handwriting and standards were accomplished with:
1. A fluency of movement and a certainty of execution indicative of
familiarity with and a measure or skill in handwriting of conversely.
2. A conscious mental effort and non-rhythmic execution denoting either

GENERAL CLASSES OF QUESTIONED WRITING unfamiliarity with or disguise in the subject’s handwriting.
A. Forged or simulated writings in which the attempt is made to discard one’s own
writing and assume the exact writing personality of another person. EXAMPLE OF COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OR QUALITIES;

a. ordinary copybook form b. shape, position, size and angle or i dots and t crossing

c. idiosyncrasies

b. usual systematic slant

d. bulbs and distinctive initials and final pen pressure

c. ordinary scale of proportion or ratio

e. embellishment, added strokes and free movement

d. conventional spacing
f. abbreviation of letters

EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS:

g. simple and compound curves and graceful ending

a. hook to the right and hook to the left

h. labored movement producing ragged lines

 6. Eye loop or Eyelet – the small loop formed by strokes and extend in divergent
direction.

i. terminal shadings and forceful ending

7. Foot of the Letter or Oval – the lower portion of any down stroke which terminates

on the baseline.
TERMINOLOGIES CONCERNING STROKE CHARACTERISTICS
8. Diacritic – an element added to complete certain letters.

1. Arc or Arch – any arcade form in the body of the letter

2. Beard – a rudimentary curved initial stroke 9. Hitch – the introductory backward strokes added to the beginning or ending of
many capital letters or small letters.

3. Blunt Ending or Beginning – blunt ending and initial strokes are results of the
drawing process in forgery.
10. Hook or Trough – the bend, crook or curve on the inner side of the bottom loop
or curve of small letter.

4. Buckle Knot – the horizontal and looped stokes that are often used to complete
such letters.

11. Hump – the rounded outside of the bend, crook or curve in small letters.

5. Central Part of the Body – the part of a letter ordinarily formed by a small circle
that usually lies on the line of writing.

12. Spur – short, horizontal beginning strokes.

19. Staff – backspace of a letter.

13. Knob – rounded appearance at the beginning or ending strokes

20. Baseline – rules of imaginary line where the writing rest.

14. Main stroke or Shank Stem – downward strokes of any letter.

21. Copybook Form – design of letter, which is fundamental to a writing system.

15. Whirl – the upward strokes usually on letters that have long loops.
22. Pen Emphasis – it is the periodic increase in pressure of intermittently forcing
the pen against the paper surface with increased pressure.

16. Space Filler or Terminal Spur – an upward horizontal or downward final stroke
usually seen in small letters. Terminologies Related to Handwriting Identification and Examinations

1. Alignment – the relation of parts of the whole of writing or line of individual letters
in words to the baseline. It is alignment of letters.
2. Angular Forms – Sharp, straight strokes that are made by stopping the pen and
17. Retrace or Retracing – a stroke that goes back over another writing strokes.
changing direction before continuing.
3. Arcade – Forms that look like arches around on the top and open at the bottom.
4. Cacography – it is refers to a bad writing.
5. Calligraphy – it is the art of beautiful writing.

18. Retouching or Patching – a stroke that goes back to repair a defective portion of 6. Characteristics – any property or mark which distinguishes and in document

writing. examination commonly called to as the identifying details.

7. Collation – side by side comparison; collation as used in this text means the critical
comparison on side by side examination.
8. Comparison – the act of setting two or more items side by side to weigh their
identifying qualities; it refers not only a visual but also the mental act in which the
element of one item are related to the counterparts of the other.
9. Disguised Writing - it is a handwriting in which the writer alters his handwriting
characteristics to conceal his identity. A writer may deliberately try to alter his
usual writing habits in hopes of hiding his identity. The results, regardless of their
effectiveness are termed disguised writing.
10. Downstroke – the movement of the pen toward the writer.
11. Form – The writer’s chosen writing style. The way the writing looks, whether it is
copybook, elaborated, simplified or printed.
12. Garland – A cup-like connected form that is open at the top and rounded on the
bottom.
13. Gestalt – The German word that means “complete” or “whole”. A good gestalt
needs nothing added or taken away to make it “look right”. Also a school of
handwriting analysis that looks at handwriting as a whole picture.
14. Graphoanalysis - the study of handwriting based on the two fundamental strokes,
the curve and the straight strokes.
15. Graphometry - analysis by comparison and measurement.
16. Graphology – the art of determining character disposition and amplitude of a
person from the study of handwriting. It is also means the scientific study and
analysis of handwriting, especially with the reference to forgeries and questioned
documents.
17. Handlettering – Any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is written
separately; also called hand printing.
18. Left-Handed Writing – wrong hand writing.
19. Letter Space – the amount of space left between letters.
20.Line Direction - movement of the baseline. May slant up, down, or straight across
the page.
21. Line Quality - the overall character of the ink lines from the beginning to the
ending strokes. There are two classes; Good Line quality and Poor line quality. The
visible records in the written stroke of the basic movement and manner of holding
the writing instrument is characterized by the term ‘line quality’. It is derived from a
combination of acts including writing skill, speed rhythm, freedom of movements,
shading and pen position.
22. Line Space - the amount of space left between lines.
23. Manuscript Writing - A disconnected form of script or semi-script writing. This
type of writing is taught in young children in elementary schools as the first step in
learning to write.
24. Margins - the amount of space left around the writing on all four sides.
40. Skill - in any set there are relative degrees or ability or skill and a specimen of
handwriting usually contains evidence of the writer’s proficiency; degree., ability,
or skill of a write proficiency.
41. Slope/ Slant - the angle or inclination of the axis of the letters relative to the
baseline. There are three classes; slant to the left, slant to the right and vertical
slant. There are also writings that manifest variable slants.
42. Speed of writing - the personal pace at which the writer’s pen moves across the
paper.
43. Speed/Speedy Writing - not everyone writes at the same rate so that consideration
of the speed of writing may be a significant identifying element. Writing speed
cannot be measured precisely from the finished handwriting but can be
interpreted in broad terms of slow, moderate or rapid.
44. System of Writing - the combination of the basic design of letters and the writing
movement as taught in school make up the writing system. Writing through use
diverges from the system, but generally retains some influence of the basic
training.
45. Tension - the degree of force exerted on the pen compared to the degree of
relaxation.
46. Thready form - An indefinite connective form that looks flat and wavy.
47. Variability - the degree to which the writing varies from the copybook model.
48. Variation – the act or process of changing.
49. Word Space - the amount of space left between words.
50. Writing Condition - Both the circumstances under which the writing was prepared
and the factors influencing the writer’s ability to write at the time of execution. It
includes the writer’s position (sitting, standing, abed, etc.) the paper support and
backing and the writing instrument; writing ability may be modified by the
condition of the writer’s health, nervous state or degree of intoxication.
51. Writing Habit - any repeated element on one’s handwriting.
52. Wrong-Handed Writing - Any writing executed with the opposite hand that
normally used; a.k.a. as “with the awkward hand”. Ti is one means of disguise. Thus,
the writing of a right-handed person which has been executed with his left hand
accounts for the common terminology for this class of disguise as “left-hand
writing.
53. Writing Impulse - the result of the pen touching down on the paper and moving
across the page, until it is raised from the pen.
25. Model Handwriting/ Signature – it refers to the handwriting or signature which is
the basis of forgery.
26. Movement - it is an important element in handwriting. It embraces all the factors
which are related to the motion of the writing instrument skill, speed freedom,
hesitation, rhythm, emphasis, tremors, and the like. The manner in which the
writing instrument is move that is by finger, hand, forearm or whole arm.
27. Natural Writing - any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt
to control or alter its identifying habits and its usual quality or execution.
28. Natural Variation - these are normal or usual deviations found between repeated
specimens of any individual handwriting.
29. Pen Emphasis - the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper surfaces.
When the pen-point has flexibility, this emphasis produces shading, but with more
rigid writing points heavy point emphasis can occur in writing any evidence of
shading; the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper with increase
pressure.
30. Pen Hold - the place where the writer grasps the barrel of pen and the angle at
which he holds it.
31. Pen Position – relationship between the pen and the paper
32. Pen Pressure – the average force with which the pen contacts the paper. Pen
pressure as opposed to pen emphasis deals with the usual of average force
involved in the writing rather than the period increases.
33. Print script – A creative combination of printing and cursive writing.
34. Proportion or Ratio - the relation between the tall and the short letter is referred as
to the ratio of writing.
35. Quality – A distinct or peculiar character. Also quality is used in describing
handwriting to refer to any identifying factor that is related to the writing
movement itself.
36. Rhythm - the element of the writing movement which is marked by regular or
periodic recurrences. It may be classed as smooth, intermittent, or jerky its quality;
the flourishing succession of motion which are recorded in a written record.
Periodicity, alternation of movement.
37. Significant Writing Habit - any characteristics of handwriting that is sufficiently
uncommon and well-fixed to serve as a fundamental point in the identification.
38. Simplification - Eliminating extra or superfluous strokes from the copybook model.
39. Size - May refer to the overall size of the writing or the proportions between zones.
TOPIC IV. Standards or Exemplars
Definition:
A. Standard. They are known writings which indicate how a person writes. A writer
manifests fixed habits in his writings that identify him. This fact provides the basis for an
opinion of conclusion regarding any writing identification problem.
B. Exemplars. Specimen of the writing of suspects is commonly known as exemplars. The
term standards is a general term referring to all authenticated writings of the suspects
while exemplars refers more especially to a specimens of standards writing offered in
evidence or obtained or request for comparison with the questioned writing.
C. Sample. A selected representative portion of the whole is known as a sample. The term
“sample” follows closely the statistical usage.
Objective of Standards
This is to illustrate, fairly and completely their author’s personal habits in the
creation of such handwritings as is under question or in dispute. Accurate, complete
standards which demonstrate their author’s habits in the light of the handwriting which
is in question provide the basis for reliable sound conclusion. (PNP-CLO notes). As a
questioned document examiner5, the sufficient amount and proper standards should be
collected.
USEFUL SUGGESTION REGARDING HANDWRITING STANDARDS FOR COMPARISON
A. Types of Handwriting “Standards”
1. Collected Standards are known (genuine) handwriting of an individual such
as signature and endorsements on canceled checks, legal letters, commercial,
official, public and private document and other handwriting such as letters,
memoranda, etc. Written in the course of daily life, both business and social.
2. Request Standards are signature or other handwritings (or hand printing)
written by an individual upon request for the purpose of comparison with
other handwriting or for specimen purposes.
3. Post Litem Motam Exemplars writings produced by the suspect after
evidential writings come into dispute and solely for the purpose of
establishing his contentions.
B. Type of Standards Desirable for Comparison Use in the Two Most Common 3. Give subjects to help or suggestions in completing specimen checks.
Questioned Document Problems
1. Submit collected and request standards signature from both individual case. E. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR QD EXAMINATION
2. When anonymous letter writings other than signature are in questioned: 1. SIGNATURE
a. Submit request standards writings of general nature from both victim and ⚫original documents
suspects (as much standards writing as possible to obtain within reason). ⚫at least seven (7) standard signatures
b. Submit request standards of the questioned text written (or printed) – at least 3 ⚫contemporaneous date (5) years before and (5) years after the
writings by the suspect/s and in some instance by the victim. execution of QD
⚫similar writing style
C. Suggested Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards in All Types of 2. QUESTIONED HANDWRITING
Questioned-Document Problems: a. original documents
1. Have subject seated in a natural position at table or desk having smooth writing b. at least 4 pages of standard
surface. handwriting
2. Furnish subject with paper and writing instrument similar to those used in c. similar writing style and the
questioned writings, lie; paper should be same size, and ruled or unruled; as same dialect/language
questioned document: if questioned document is in written furnish subject with d. contemporaneous date five years
pen and ink, etc. before and 5yrs after
3. Never permit the subject to see any writing on the questioned document. 3. TYPEWRITING
4. Dictate material to be written (or printed, if questioned material is hand printed): a. original documents
give no assistance in spelling or arrangement on page. Dictate at a rate of speed b. at least four (4) pages of standard document written verbatim
which will produce the subject natural writing habits. c. remove the ribbon and submit it for examination if newly used
5. Remove each specimen upon completion by subject number in consequence, date, 4. COUNTERFEITING
time and identify by initiating each, and request subject to sign each specimen. a. undisturbed original questioned bill
6. Observe all writing done by subjects and indicate any attempt of disguise, and b. at least one standard specimen (label) in cases of unfair trade competition.
whether subject appears to be normally right or left-handed, etc.

D. Special Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards Where Checks Forgery
is Suspected.
1. Furnish subjects with check blanks similar to the questioned check/s.
2. Dictate the entries to be made on specimen chechs as follows:
a. Date – same as shown on questioned check
b. Payee
c. Amount
d. Signature
e. Any other handwriting shown on questioned check
UNIT III
This unit presents the examination of signatures the genuine and forged, counterfeiting
and other matters concerned in questioned document examination.
TOPIC I. DETECTION AND EXAMINATION OF FORGERIES
Signature – it is the name of a person written by him/her in a document as a sign of
acknowledgement. Or, it is a name or mark that a person puts at the end of a document to
attest that he is its author or that he ratifies its contents.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT TERMS

a. Assisted Signature – See Guided Signature b. Indirect – forger works first with pencil and afterward covers the
b. Cross Mark – Historically, many who could not write signed with a cross mark or pencil strokes with ink.
crude X. This authenticating mark is still used today by illiterates, and if properly B. Traced Forgery
witnessed, it can legally stand for a signature. Ballot marks are also referred to as 1. Direct Tracing -tracing is made by transmitted light.

cross marks because of the common practice of marking with an X. 2. Indirect Tracing – forger uses a carbon paper and place document on

c. Evidential Signature - It is not simply signature- It is a signature, signed at a which he will trace the forged signature under the document bearing

particular time and place, under particular conditions, while the signer was at the model signature with a carbon paper between the two.

particular age, in a particular physical and mental condition, using particular

implements, and with a particular reason and purpose for recording his name.
d. Fraudulent Signature - A forged signature. It involves the writing of a name as a Types of Traced Signature:

signature by someone other than the person himself, without his permission, of 1. Carbon Process

then with some degree of imitation. 2. Indentation Process

e. Freehand Signature – A fraudulent signature that was executed purely by 3. Transmitted Light

simulation rather than by tracing the outline of a genuine signature.

C. Spurious Signature (Simple Forgery) – Forger does not try to copy a model but writes
f. Guided Signature - A signature that is executed while the writer’s hand or arm is
something resembling what we ordinarily call a signature. For this, he uses a false
steadied in any way. Under the law of most jurisdictions such a signature
(spurious) name and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual writing by adopting a
authenticates a legal document provided it is shown that the writer requested the
camouflage called disguise.
assistance.
D. Forgery by Means of Stamped Facsimile of a Genuine or Model
g. Imitated Signature - synonymous with freehand forgery.
h. Model Signature - A genuine signature that has been used to prepare an imitated or
E. Forgery by Computer Scanning
traced forgery.
i. Theory of Comparison - the act of setting two or more signature in an inverted
SUGGESTED STEPS IN THE EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURE:
position to weigh their identifying significance, the reason being that those we fail
A. STEP 1 - Place the questioned and the standard signatures in the juxta-position or
to see under normal comparison may readily be seen under this theory.
side-by-side for simultaneous viewing of the various elements and characteristics.
FORGERY
B. STEP 2 – The first element to be considered is the handwriting movement or the
- Forgery is, strictly speaking, a legal term which involves not only a non-genuine
manner of execution (slow, deliberate, rapid, etc.). The fundamental difference
document but also and intent to fraud. However, it is also used synonymously with
existing between a genuine signature and an almost perfect forgery is in the
fraudulent signature or spurious document.
manner of execution.
C. STEP 3 - Second elements to examine is the quality of the line, the presence or
CLASSES OF FORGED SIGNATURES
tremors, smooth, fluent or hesitation. Defect in line quality is only appreciated
A. Simulated or Freehand Imitation Forgery – executed purely by simulation rather than
when simultaneous viewing is made.
by tracing the outline of a genuine signature can be referred as freehand imitation or
D. STEP 4 – Examine the beginning and ending lines, they are very significant,
simulated forgery. Or it refers to the free-hand drawing in imitation of model signature.
determine whether the appearance blunt, club-shaped, tapered or vanishing.
1. Simulated with the Model Before the Forger
E. STEP 5 - Design and structure of the letters – Determine as to roundness,
a. Direct Technique – forger works directly with ink.
smoothness, angularity and direction. Each individual has a different concept of
the letter design.
 F. STEP 6 – Look for the presence of retouching or patching.
G. STEP 7 – Connecting strokes, slant, ratio, size, lateral spacing. To be able to forge successfully, one must:
H. STEP 8 - Do not rely so much in the similarity or difference of the capital letters, for a) Be able to see significant characteristics of the writing of another

these are the often changed according to the whim of the writer. b) Have the muscular skill necessary to reproduce the writing imitated;
c) Be able to eliminate at the same time all the characteristics of his own handwriting.

INDICATIONS OF GENUINENESS The forger fixes his attention intensely on the matter or form and the process of writing,
1. Carelessness so much that under such condition:

2. Spontaneity a) He finds it extremely difficult to write even his own handwriting free natural

3. Alternation of thick and thin strokes manner;

4. Speed b) Hi finds that imitating a writing successfully is task of a very great difficulty.

5. Simplification
6. Upright letters are interspersed with slanting letters Forgery, therefore, always show plainly natural results of strained condition by:

7. The upward strokes to a threadlike tracing a) Slow, hesitating and unnatural appearance;

8. Rhythm b) Too much attention on unimportant details.

9. Good line quality

10. Variation A simulated forgery is produced by a method of following a copy, very much similar
to that employed by a pupil in following a pattern. Writing that is slow and hesitating
(produced by interrupted, changing movement of impulses) is more easily imitated, for

How simulated forgery is produced: its manner of production is similar to that of the imitation process. If the forger possesses

a) The forger studies the genuine signature he intends to copy. By this, he acquires a skill superior to that of the genuine writing, the forgery may have a higher degree of

the mental picture of the letter design, lateral spacing, and the other obvious muscular coordination or control than the writing imitated.

features.
b) Constant practice from memory, or the genuine model is placed in front of him Genuine Signature

(forger). Portions of the signature are mastered first, and finally, the signature as a
whole;
c) The study and practice are carried on until the forger feels the capability of writing
a convincing forgery;
d) After each attempt, the forger compares it with the genuine signature that he
copied. Defects or errors are corrected in the future.
Questioned

The forger labors under a strained mental and muscular condition that makes it very
difficult. If not altogether impossible, to do his work in a skillful manner brought about
by:
a) The realization that forgery is a criminal act;
b) Fear of discovery which certainly will result to punishment and dishonor.
c) Painful anxiety to do work well.
Standards

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, opinion is defined as:

1) A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matters;
2) A belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge,
generally held views.
3) A formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert;
4) The formal expression (as by judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and
principles upon which a legal decision is based.

Example of Simulated Forgery

While Encarta Dictionary defines opinion as:
A.
Genuine Forged
1) An expert assessment of something;
2) A conclusion drawn from observation of the facts;
3) The view somebody takes about a certain issue, especially when it is based solely
on personal judgment;
4) A view regarding the worth of somebody or something.

On the other hand, Encarta Dictionary defines conclusion as:

1) A decision made or an opinion formed after considering the relevant facts or

B. evidence;
Genuine Forged 2) An ending or the part that brings something to close (formal);
3) The completion of a formal agreement or deal, especially after long or detailed
discussion and arrangements;
4) The summation or closing argument at the end of a case being tried;
5) The portion of an argument for which evidence is presented.

The Oxford Dictionary also defines conclusion as:

Topic II. CONCLUSION AGAINST OPINION

1) An outcome;
According to Huber and Headrick, some controversies have been noted in the
2) A final determination;
views of examiners as to whether the results of their examinations should be expressed
3) A judgment arrived at by reasoning;
as conclusion or as a matter of opinion.
4) An inference, induction, or deduction.

In some other instances opinion and conclusion are being used interchangeably in
The rule of law does not govern what on how expert evidence can be expressed or
giving findings of the handwriting examinations. On the other hand, opinion is very
determined, but how it will be accepted. As long as the expert testimony will be given a
much different from conclusion.
chance to be presented in court, it does not question whether it is a conclusion given or
just an opinion.
 In the presentation of testimony as well as the written reports of the examiner,
there is no rules as to the content or format to follow. It is the experience or expertise of
the examiner that can speak louder on the issue as to whether it is the handwriting of
one person or another.
In the Philippines, questioned document examination reports vary different
examiners. The PNP Crime Laboratory and the NBI is applying the word “conclusion”.
The note Filipino Questioned Document Expert Mr. Gregorio Mendoza is using the word
“Opinion” in his questioned document examination reports.
QUALIFIED OPINION
During the Senate Committee Hearing on the “Jose Pidal” case, the questioned
signature presented was a photocopy. The standard for comparison was requested
standards. One of the questioned raised by a member of the Senate Committee during
the presentation of the questioned document examination result was, “What do you
mean by qualified opinion?”
Most of the document examiners apply “qualified opinion” where there is a
probability of a mistake on the result of the matter being investigated. Qualified opinion
is based on the facts shown on the document not the original. When the document
presented is a photocopy, and it shows individuality in characteristics both in questioned
document and the standard, therefore it is probably the handwriting of another person.
However, there is a strong probability that it is not, the moment that the original
document will be presented and examined.
The examiner in the “Jose Pidal” case cannot give a definite answer as to whether it
is the handwriting of the suspected writer or not because the matter in question is a
photocopy. But an expert, he or she can only render his or her “qualified opinion” based
on the characteristics shown both in the standard and questioned document. A
conclusion is definite answer to the problem. Opinion is likewise applied with respect to
the understanding of the law respecting expert testimony.
VERIFICATION – It is also known as a second opinion. Where numerous handwriting
problems may occur most especially when the identity is somewhat difficult to prove, the
expert should seek another expert’s opinion.
Art. 162. Using the forged signature or counterfeit seal or stamp.
✔ The penalty of prison mayor shall be imposed upon any person who shall
knowingly make use of the counterfeit seal or forged signature or stamp
mentioned in the preceding article.
Art. 163. Making and importing and uttering false coins
✔ Any person who makes imports, or utters, false coins, in connivance with
counterfeiters, or importers, shall suffer.
1) Prison mayor in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not to
exceed P10,000 pesos, if the counterfeited coin be silver coin of the
Philippines or coin of the Central Bank of the Philippines of 10 centavo
denomination or above.
2) Prision correctional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine of not
to exceed P2,000 pesos, if the counterfeited coins be any of the minor
coinage of the Philippines or of the Central Bank of the Philippines below
ten centavo denomination.
3) Prision correctional in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed P1,000
pesos, if the counterfeited coin be currency of a foreign country.(As
amended by R.A No. 4202, approved June 19, 1965).
Art. 164. Mutilation of coins; Importation and utterance of mutilated coins.
✔ The penalty of prision correctional in its minimum period and a fine not
exceed P2,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any period who shall mutilate
coins of the legal currency of the United States or of the Philippine Islands or
import or utter mutilated current coins, or in connivance with mutilators or
importers.
Art. 165. Selling of false or mutilated coin, without connivance.
✔ The person who knowingly, although without the connivance mentioned in
the preceding articles, shall possess false or mutilated coin with intent to
utter the same, or shall actually utter such icon, shall suffer a penalty lower
by one degree than that prescribed in said articles.
Art. 166. Forging treasury or bank notes on other documents payable to bearer;
importing, and uttering such false or forged note and documents.
“The Dreyfus case is an unforgettable lesson to all experts. French Army Captain Alfred
Dreyfus was charged with treason because of the famous “bordereau” % itemized
documents considered as top secret. These documents are very difficult to procure
because it is considered as top secret. The French Counterespionage Bureau became
interested about the identity of “Scoundrel D___” which was mentioned on the letter.
The name Dreyfus later turned up. The handwriting was examined and became the basis
for conviction. After two years, the real identity of the writer was established.
Topic III. FORGERY, COUNTERFEITING AND FALSIFICATION
DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. Counterfeiting – It is the crime of making, circulating or uttering false coins and
banknotes. Literally, it means to make a copy of; or imitate; to make a spurious semblance
of, as money or stamps, with the intent to deceive or defraud. Counterfeiting is
something made to imitate the real thing used for gain.
B. Falsification - The act/process of making the contents of a document not the intended
content.
C. Forgery – The making or materially altering, with intent to defraud, any writing which
if genuine, might be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal liability.
In forgery, every person who, with intent to defraud, signs the name of another
person, or of fictitious person, knowing that he has no authority to do so, or falsely
makes, alters, forges or counterfeits any checks, drag- due bill for the payment of money
or property – or forges the seal forged, or counterfeited, with intent the same to be fake,
altered forged, or counterfeited, with intent to prejudice, damage or defraud any
person…. Is guilty of forgery.
LAWS ON FORGERY (Revised Penal Code)
Art. 161. Counterfeiting the great seal of the Government of the Philippine Islands,
forging the signature or stamp of the Chief Executive.
✔ The penalty of reclusion temporal shall be imposed upon any person who
shall forge the Great Seal of the Government of the Philippine Island or the
signature is stamp of the Chief Executive.
✔ The forging or falsification of treasury or bank notes or certificates or other
obligations and securities payable to bearer and the importation and uttering
in connivance with forgers or importers of such false or forged to obligations
or notes, shall be punished.
“The word “obligation or security of the United States or of the Philippine Islands”
shall be held to mean all bonds, certificates of indebtedness, national bank notes,
fractional notes, certificates of deposit, bill, checks, or drafts for money, drawn by
or upon authorized officers of the US of Philippine Islands, and other
representatives of value, of whatever denomination, which have been or may be
issued under any act of the Congress of the US or the Philippine Island”.
Art. 167. Counterfeiting, importing and uttering instruments not payable to bearer.
✔ Any person who shall forge, import or utter, in connivance with the forgers
or importers, any instrument payable to order or other document of credit
not payable to bearer, shall suffer the penalties of prision correctional in its
medium and maximum periods and a fine not exceeding P6,000 pesos.
Art. 168. Illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and other instrument of
credit.
✔ Unless the act be one of those coming under the provisions of any of the
preceding articles, any person who shall knowingly use or have in his
possession, with intent to use any of the false or falsified instruments
referred to in this section, shall suffer the penalty next lower in degree than
that prescribed articles.
Art. 169. How forgery is committed.
✔ The forgery referred to in this section may be committed by any of the
following means;
1) By giving to a treasury or bank note or any instrument, payable to
bearer or order mentioned therein, the appearance of a true genuine
document.
2) By erasing, substituting, counterfeiting or altering by any means the
figures, letters, words or signs contained therein.
Art. 170. Falsification of legislative documents.
 ✔ The penalty of prision correctional in its maximum period and a fine not
exceeding P6,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any person who, without
proper authority therefor alters any bill, resolution, or ordinance enacted or
approved or pending approval by either House of the Legislature or any
provincial board or municipal council.
Art. 171. Falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastic minister.
✔ The penalty of prision mayor and a fine not to exceed P5,000 pesos shall be
imposed any public officer, employee, or notary who, taking advantage of his
official position, shall falsify a document by committing any of the following
acts:
1) Counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric;
2) Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or
proceeding when they did not in fact so participate;
3) Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or proceeding
statements other than those in fact made by them;
4) Making untruthful statements in a narration of facts;
5) Altering true dates;
6) Making any alteration or intercalation in a genuine document which
changes its meaning.
7) Issuing in an authenticated form a document purporting to be a copy
of an original document when no such original exists, or including in
such a copy a statement contrary to, or different from, that of the
genuine original; or
8) Intercalating any instrument or note relative to the issuance thereof in
a protocol, registry, or official book.
The same penalty shall be imposed upon any ecclesiastical minister who shall
commit any of the offenses enumerated in the preceding paragraphs of this article,
with respect to any record or document of such character that is falsification may
affect the civil status of persons.
Art. 172. Falsification by private individual and use of falsified documents.
✔ The penalty of prision correctional in its medium and maximum periods and
a fine of not more than P5,000 pesos shall be imposed upon:
offenses of counterfeiting or falsification mentioned in the preceding
sections of this Chapter.
Any person who, with the intention of using them, shall have in his possession any
of the instruments or implements mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, shall suffer
the penalty next lower in degree than that provided therein.
Topic IV. COUNTERFEIT DETECTION
How to detect counterfeit central bank note:
1. Distinctive feel
2. Portrait
3. Water marks on Filipino notes
4. Red and blue fibers
5. Brocken thread
6. Lacework design
7. Color of each denomination
8. Color style and size of SN
9. Vignette
10 Clearness of Print
11.Micro printing
Feel the paper - The genuine note is printed on a special kind of paper which is
rough when you run your fingers thru it. It does not glow under the ultra- violet light.
During paper manufacture, the watermark, security fibers, security threads and
iridescent are included.
PAPER
PORTRAIT
Recognize the portrait. Appears life-like. The eyes “sparkle”. Shadings are formed
by the lines that give the portrait a characteristics facial expression which is extremely
difficult to replicate.
WATERMARK
Examine the watermark on the unprinted portion of the note. The water mark is
silhouette of the portrait appearing on the face of the note.
1) Any private individual who shall commit any of the falsifications
enumerated in the next preceding article in any public or official
document or letter of exchange or any other kind of commercial
document; and
2) Any person who, to the damage of a third party, or with the intent to
cause such damage, shall in any private document commit any of the
acts of falsification enumerated in the next preceding article.
Any person who shall knowingly introduce in evidence in any judicial
proceeding or to the damage of another or who, with the intent to cause such
damage, shall use any of the false documents embraced in the next preceding
article, or in any of the foregoing subdivisions of this article, shall be punished by
the penalty next lower in degree.
Art. 173. Falsification of wireless, cable, telegraph and telephone messages, and use of said
falsified messages.
✔ The penalty of prision correctional in its medium and maximum periods shall
be imposed upon any officer or employee of the Government or of any
private corporation or concern engaged in the service of sending or
receiving wireless, cable or telephone message who utters a fictitious
wireless, telegraph or telephone message of any system or falsifies the same.
Any person who shall use such falsified dispatch to the prejudice of a third party or
with the intent to cause such prejudice, shall suffer the penalty next lower in degree.
Art. 175. Using false certificates.
✔ The penalty of arresto menor shall be imposed upon any one who shall
knowingly use any of the false certificates mentioned in the next preceding
article.
Art. 176. Manufacturing and possession of instrument or implements for falsification.
✔ The penalty of prision correctional in its medium and maximum periods and
a fine not to exceed P10,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any person who
shall make or introduce into the Philippine Island any stamps, dies, marks, or
other instruments or implement intended to use in the commission of the
SECURITY FIBERS
Inspect the security fibers. Embedded red and blue visible fibers are
scattered at random on both surfaces of a genuine note and can be readily picked.
BROCKEN THREAD
a. EMBEDDED SECURITY THREAD
- View the embedded security thread . The embedded security thread is a special
thread vertically implanted off center of the note during paper manufacture
b. WINDOWED SECURITY THREAD
View the windowed security thread on the improved version of the 100’s,
500’s, and 1000 notes and the new 200 notes. The windowed security thread is a narrow
security thread vertically located like “stitches” at the face of the note.
BACKGROUND/ LACEWORK DESIGN
Scan the background/ lacework design are made up of multicolored and well
defined lines.
Color of each denomination
Have a polychrome background with one predominant color for each
denomination.
1000-peso BLUE 20-peso ORANGE
500-peso YELLOW 50-peso RED
100-peso MAUVE
Color style and size of :
SERIAL NUMBER
Check the serial number. Composed of 1 or 2 prefix letters and 6 or 7 digits. The
letters and numerals are uniform in size and thickness.
VIGNETTE
Verify the vignette. The lines and dashes composing the vignette are fine, distinct
and sharp; the varying color tone gives a vivid look to the picture
MICROPRINTING
 Verify under the lens the presence of the micro printing on the denominations 50,
100, 200, 500, and 1000.
FLUORESCENT PRINTING
Look for the presence of fluorescent print when the note is exposed under the
ultra-violet light.
VALUED PANEL
Check the numerals found at the four corners of the front and back of the
note.
IRRIDESCENT BAND
Find for the iridescent band on the improve version of 100’s, 500’s and 1000 notes
and the new 200 notes. A wide glistening gold vertical stripe with the numerical value
printed series.
CONCEALED VALUE
Check the concealed value on the 500 peso denomination. This concealed value is
located at the lower left corner of the face of the note and is recognizable when the note
is held at the eye level.
OTHER AREAS OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION
A. Printed Matters
Materials printed by letterpress, or engraved plates may be traced to its
original comparison with specimen from known sources.
Printed matter is individualized by the combination of several classes of identifying
tributes such as:
1) The font (design) of type
2) The spacing between letters
3) Word
4) Lines
5) Section of the copy
6) The mal alignment of letter
A check writer prints the amount of the check while simultaneously
perforating or embossing the surrounding area.
The printed value is no stamped as to leave no room for inviting additional
figures, while the shredding or embossing makes other kind of manipulation more
difficult. Nevertheless, check prepared with check writer have been manipulated, but
careful microscopic examination in good light shall reveal their attempt.
Solutions are dependent upon similarities of typefaces styles and upon the
presence of various classes of individual defect.
E. Hand Stamps
Much of its diversity lies in the great variety of stamps use. Those fixed letter
design, those made up entirely of loose type, the facsimile signature stamp variety, the
date stamps with movable strips type. Stamps are in common us today with metal and
rubber printing faces, wood and other material are also formal. Some are machines
made, some hand made. Every aspects of the stamps make-up may influence its work
and its identification. A number of stays are in themselves individual, some have
sufficient peculiarities to identify their work, other are practically devoid of any but
most general characteristics. Question maybe raised whether two impressions were
made, whether two impressions were made for a single stamps or is a forgery of the
other.
F. Check Fraud
Check fraud is the forgery, alteration, counterfeiting, or knowing issuance of
a check on an account that has been closed or has sufficient funds to cover the
amount for which the check was written.
A variety of techniques are used to commit check fraud, including such
practices as writing checks on closed accounts, having insufficient funds in an
account to cover check, opening fictitious accounts, the alteration of an original
check, forgery, and counterfeiting.
7) Defective in damage
8) Un even type impression
9) Printing
The fragment certainly was torn from a certificate like the known opinion.
Proof based on the following factors:
1) The color of the paper
2) The wording on the fragment
3) The design of the type is identical
4) The printing of the word is exactly the same.
The key to the solution of a problem may be found in the design of letters
and ornamentation, the exact sign of the printed area of the certificate and injuries
the break in curved through storage and use.
B. Adhesive stamp
Stamps of all varieties, including both postal and revenue, may fixed their
way into a document investigation. They serve primarily as a ready mans of dating a
document although rare instances matching of the paper formation with the stamps
found at a particular source can establish the origin of the document.
C. Adding Machine
Adding machine in making a printed recall of the work also provides a mean
of establishing its identity. Like typewriter, the quality of the printed work deteriorates
or becomes defective with use, thus individualizing the machine. Broken or damaged
type is rather unusual, but a number printing off its feet or out of alignment is more
common. Each column of figures represents a separate set of ten digits, a condition
which increase the livelihood of a particular machine being highly individual. Adding
machines are not all alike and technical study can lead to the discovery or identifying
factors.
D. Check Writer
Shreddings – cut or torn into small narrow pieces.
Closed account fraud occurs when checks are written against an account
that has already been closed. This type of check fraud relies upon the time that it takes
a bank transaction to be processed or “float time” after closing the account on which
the check at local branch of the bank of the bank or at place of business within a short
time after closing the account on which the check is drawn.
Technology has played a major role in the proliferation of check fraud. The
use of relatively inexpensive computers, scanners, and printers, with capabilities often
referred to as “desk top publishing”, has enhanced the ability of criminals to
manufacture their own brand of counterfeit checks. Computers loaded with
sophisticated graphics capabilities can be purchased from most computer and office
supply stores. A counterfeiting operation requires only a laser scanner to capture the
image of the original check, a personal computer, the necessary software to make the
changes, and a quality laser printer to produce the counterfeited checks, traveler’s
checks, credit cards, certified bank checks, money orders, currency and other
negotiable instrument, as well as personal identification such as driver’s licenses and
social security cards.
G. Identity theft
The Identity Theft Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 (amending 18 U.S.C, &
1028) made it federal crime when anyone knowingly transfers or uses without legal
authority the authentication documentation of another person with the intent to
commit, aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitute a felony.
Identifying theft primarily takes forms; “true name fraud”, “account take over
fraud”. True name fraud occurs when someone use a consumer’s personal information
to open a new accounts in his/her name. The second type of identity theft, account
takeover, occurs when criminals gain access to person’s existing account’s and make
fraudulent charges. The third type of identifying theft is when criminal provides a
victim’s personal information to law enforcement when the criminal gets arrested.
Victims can have a criminal record or outstanding warrants attached to their names
and personal information without even realizing it.
These are several common techniques in conducting identifying theft. Some
criminals conduct “dumpster driving” expeditions where they go through trash cans
or dumpsters to get copies of checks, credit card and bank statements, credit card
applications, or other records that will contain identifying information. Once in
control of current account or established new accounts in the victim’s name. Another
technique is “shoulder surfing” looking over the victim’s shoulder as she/he enters
personal information into phones, computers and ATMs.
Recently, the Internet has become an inviting place for criminals to obtain
identifying information, such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, and
banking information. Some criminals obtain identifying information through the use
of SPAM e-mail. Some people respond to SPAM (unsolicited e-mail that advertises
some type of product, service, or get-rich-quick scheme) requesting that identifying
data be provided in order to receive the advertised product or service. Once an
individual provides his/her identifying information criminals use this information to
their own advantage while rarely providing the benefit promised in the SPAM mail
originally sent out to hundreds or thousands of individuals.
H. Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud is committed by any person who, for the purpose of
obtaining anything of value with intent to defraud, uses a credit card that has been
revoked, cancelled, reported.
Credit card fraud is a problem that affects the entire credit industry. It is one
of the fastest growing types of fraud and also one of the most difficult to prevent.
According to the Federal trade Commission (FTC), credit-related complaints have
consistency ranked among their top 10 complaints for many years. Research figures
indicate that a total cost of fraud was a high as $ 1.5 billion in 1999 and could grow to
an estimated $30 billion by 2005. Credit card fraud is so widespread that some
organized crime rings and even drug dealers have shifted criminal career oaths to
engage in this simple, lucrative anf relatively safe from a crime.
Credit card fraud can occur in person or via the Internet. Most consumer
action groups, police departments, retail stores, and agencies, such as Better Business
(BBB) and the FTC, routinely release information for consumers on how to avoid
credit card fraud and identity theft. Nevertheless, there are numerous forms of credit
card fraud that are committed by enterprising thieves, organized rings, business
owners, and even otherwise legitimate cardholders.
(sometimes with particular refinements that are unique to internet technology)”.
Examples of on-line crimes include fraudulent marketing schemes, on-line auctions,
work-at-home schemes, gambling operations, and SPAM. The internet provides large
quantities of information, the internet allows for anonymity whereby a victim may
only know the offender by their e-mail address or Web site.
Computers and computer printouts also leave a trial that can be followed,
whether it’s from something swimple like how full or dry a printer ink cartridge is, to
the variousx alighnments and misalignments of dot matrix and laser printers, to fiber
analysis of the paper used, computer crime specialist utilize some of the same age-old
techniques that typewriting analysts used as well as other investigative methods.
One method of obtaining account information or even an actual credit card
is through postal theft. Other methods have proven surprisingly effective in obtaining
personal information include impersonating a card or application verifier via
telephone, obtaining copies of past bills, or utilizing on-line directories. In some
situations, offenders are also able to take advantage of contacts within the various
credit bureaus to obtain legitimate bankcard account information for counterfeiting
or telephone order purchasing. After have illegally obtained legitimate cards or
account information, offenders then create fictitious identification including driver’s
license, social security cards, and other materials to aid in the commission of credit
card fraud.
I. Computer Crime: Computer as the Instrumentality of the Crime
Computers can be utilized as an instrument or tool to facilitate criminal
activity. As defined by the U.S. General Accounting office, Office of Special
Investigations, computers can be “used as tools to commit traditional offenses”. This
means that the functions specific to computers, such as software programs and
Internet capabilities, can be manipulated to conduct criminal activity.
As computers proliferate at work and home, there are more opportunities for
criminals to interact with law-abiding citizens. The computer offers relative anonymity
to criminals who wish to subvert its functions for criminal purposes. With the
advances in technology and user friendly software, a criminal’s actual power
knowledge may consist of only the most basic skills. Consequently, a single computer
provides a diverse medium for conducting an array of crimes. Criminals can used the
computer to initiate and maintain contact with potential victims via Internet, to
conduct fraudulent financial transactions, to illegally replicate and/ or distribute
legitimate products or information, or to co-opt confidential, personal information.
Computer crimes frequently overlap each other during their commission.
The computer is a doorway to a world of opportunity on the Internet that is
not policed by any single law enforcement agency. The potential for financial gain
coupled with the ease of commission has resulted in many crimes via Internet that
previously occurred via mail or over the telephone. According to the U.S. Department
of Justice, “the same types of fraud schemes that have victimized consumers and
investors for many years before the creation of the Internet are no appearing on line