GAPAN CITY COLLEGE

City Hall Compound, Bayanihan, Gapan City,

Nueva Ecija, Philippines 3105
Department of Criminal Justice
Education
Week 9 Module 6 in
QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

Name: ______________________________________ Score: ___________

Course, Year & Sec.: ___________________________ Date: ____________

INVESTIGATION AND DETAILED EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURES

Forgery – fraudulently altering a written document or seal with the intent of injuring the interests
of another person or of a fraudulently obtaining governmental revenue. (Criminal Law)
– is the act of falsely making or materially altering, with intent to defraud, and writing
which, if genuine, might be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal liability.
Signature – one’s name written by him on 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 its author or that he
ratifies its content.
TYPES OF SIGNATURES
1. FORMAL(Conventional or Copybook forms) - complete correct signature of an
important document such as will.

2. INFORMAL (cursory)- usually for routine documents and personal correspondence.

 3. CARELESS SCRIBBLE- for the mail carrier, delivery boy or the autograph collector

SUGGESTED STEPS IN THE EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURE:

Step 1 – Place the questioned document and the standard document in a juxta position
Step 2 – The first element to be considered is MOVEMENT employed or manner of execution
(slow, deliberate, rapid, etc.) the fundamental difference existing between a genuine signatures
and almost perfect forgery is in the manner of execution.
Step 3 – Second element to examine is quality of line, presence of tremors, smooth fluent or
hesitant. Defect in line quality is only appreciated when simultaneous viewing is made
STEP 4- Examine the beginning and ending lines.
STEP 5- Design and structure of the letter (roundness, smoothness, angularity and direction)
Step 6 – Look for the presence of retouching or patching
STEP 7- Connecting strokes, slant, ratio , spacing and size
STEP 8- Do not rely so much in the similarity or difference of the capital letters, for these are the
often changed according to the whim of the author.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT TERMS

CROSS MARK- Historically, many who could not write signed with a cross mark or crude X.
This authenticating mark is still used today by illiterates, and if properly witnessed, it can legally
stand for a signature. Ballot marks are also referred to as cross marks because of the common
practice of marking with an X.
EVIDENTIAL SIGNATURE – Is not simply a signature – it is a signature, signed at a particular
time and place, under particular conditions, while the signer was at particular age, in a particular
physical and mental condition, using particular implements, and with a particular reason and
purpose for recording his name
GUIDED or ASSISTED SIGNATURE- A signature that is executed while the writer’s hand or
arm is steadied in any way. Under the law of most jurisdictions such a signature authenticates a
legal document provided it is shown that the writer requested the assistance. Guided signatures
are most commonly written during a serious illness or on a deathbed.
 Innert hand
 Guided hand
 Force hand
 Assisted hand
IMITATED SIGNATURE. Synonymous with freehand forgery.
MODEL SIGNATURE- A genuine signature that has been used to prepare a simulated or
traced forgery.
THEORY OF COMPARISON – The act of setting two or more signature in an inverted position
to weigh their identifying significance, the reason being that those we fail to see under normal
comparison may readily be seen under this theory.
FRAUDULENT SIGNATURE (forged signature)- It involves the writing of a name as a
signature by someone other than the person himself, without his permission, often with some
degree of imitation.
FREEHAND SIGNATURE- A fraudulent signature that was executed purely by simulation
rather than by tracing the outline of a genuine signature.
CLASSES OF FORGED SIGNATURES (CATEGORIES OF FORGERIES OF SIGNATURES)
1. Simulated or Freehand Imitation Forgery - executed purely by simulation rather than by
tracing the outline of a genuine signature can be referred as freehand imitation or simulated
forgery. Or it refers to the free-hand drawing in imitation of model signature. Most skillful type of
forgery.
Simulated with the model before the forger
a. DIRECT TECHNIQUE - forger works directly with ink.
b. INDIRECT - forger works first with pencil and afterwards covers the pencil strokes with ink.

2. Traced Forgery or Traced Signature- Any fraudulent signature which was executed by the
actual following the outline of a genuine signature with a writing instrument.
a. Direct tracing-tracing is made by transmitted light.
b. Indirect tracing - forger uses a carbon paper and place document on which he will trace the
forced signature under the document bearing the model signature with a carbon paper between
the two.
TYPES OF TRACED SIGNATURE:
1. Carbon process- In this method, carbon paper is positioned between the genuine document
and targeted document, then the signature on the genuine document is outlined with the help of
a dry pen, stylus or any other pointed device with pressure. Carbon copy is completed with ink
and pen.
2. Indention process- In this method, the genuine document containing the model signature is
positioned over the targeted document, then the signature is outlined with a sharp and hard
point with pressure. Signature on the targeted document is covered with ink and pen.
3. Transmitted light process- In this method, tracing paper is positioned over the genuine
document and a hard pointed pencil is used for obtaining the intended impression. Indented
impression is completed by ink.

3. Spurious Signature (Simple Forgery)- A fraudulent signature in which there was no

apparent attempt of simulation or imitation. Forger does not try to copy the model but writes
writing resembling what we ordinarily call a signature. For this, he uses a false (spurious) name
and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual writing by adopting a camouflage called disguise.
4. Forgery by means of a Stamped Facsimile of a genuine model - Some individuals very
often used a stamped facsimile of their signature.

INDICATION OF GENUINENESS
A. Carelessness F. Upright letters are interspersed with
B. Spontaneous slanting letters
C. Alternation of thick and strokes G. The upward strokes to threadlike tracing
D. Speed H. Rhythm
E. Simplification I. Good the quality
J. Variation

INDICATION OF SIMULATED (Direct & Indirect Techniques) and TRACED forgeries

A. Tremulous and broken connecting
strokes between letters, indicating points at
writer has temporarily struck.
B. No rhythm
C. Alteration of thick and thin strokes
D. No contrast between upward and
downward strokes
E. Slow writing-angular writing
F. Blunt beginning and endings
G. Placement of diacritical mark
H. Absence of spontaneity lack of
smoothness of letters
I. Restrained writing there is lack of freedom
or "inhibited" movements that gives the
impression that every stroke is made with
great difficulty. This writing small.
J. No variation

INDICATION OF FORGERY BY
MEANS OF FACSIMILE OF A
GENUINE SIGNATURE
A. Flat strokes
B. No contrast between upstrokes and down
strokes
C. Deposit of ink at the junction of two
strokes or where two strokes cross each
other.
D. No variation all signature will
superimpose over each other
 Module 5
STANDARDDS AND EXEMPLARS

Definition of Terms

1. Standard these are known writings which indicates how a person writes. A writer manifests fixed habits in his
writing that identify them. This fact provides the basis for an opinion of conclusion regarding any writing
identification problem.

2. Exemplars specimen of writing of suspects are commonly known as exemplars. The term standard is a general
term referring to all authenticated writing od the suspects while exemplars refers to a specially to a specimen of
standard handwriting offered in evidence or obtained or request for comparison with the questioned handwriting.

3. Sample a selected representative portion of the whole is known as sample. In this text, the terms "samples"
follows closely on the statistical usage.

OBJECTIVES OF STANDARDS

This is to illustrate, fairly and completely their author's personal habit in the creation of such handwriting as is
under question or in dispute. Accurate, complete standards which demonstrate the author's habit in the light of
the handwriting which is in question provide the basis for reliable sound conclusion. As questioned document
examiner, the sufficient amount and proper standard 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
cancelled checks, legal papers letters, commercial, official, public and legal paper 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 socials.

2. Request standards are signature or other handwritings (or hand printing) written by an individual upon request
for the purpose with other handwriting or for specimen purposes.

3. Post Litem Motam Examplars writing produced by the subject after evidential writings have come into
dispute and society for the purpose of establishing his contentions.

Post litem motam (after the fact) english term

HOW TO PREPARE AND COLLECT HANDWRITING STANDARDS? Factors to Consider in the
selection of standards

 The amount of standards written

➤ At least ten to twenty five signatures (10-25). (the PNP-CLO recommends at least eight (8) standard signatures)

➤ Writing usually four or five pages of natural writings (the PNP-CLO recommends at least five (5) pages of
handwriting standard and observance of similar language or dialect.

 Relative dates of the questioned and the standard writing standard signatures or writing must be those
written five (5) years before of five (5) after of the date of the questioned signature or writing. This means
that the investigator should collect standards that were nearest to the possible date of the writing in
questioned.
➤ Importance of contemporaneous standards:

o Helps to determine or trace gradual changes on one's hand writing or signature.

o Aids in tracing the development of any writing variation

 Conditions under which both the questioned and the standard are prepared. Look for standards
prepared under comparable circumstances such as: paper rested on the knee; standing; sitting; lying down:
and/or while on moving vehicle.
 Writing instrument and paper same instrument used in the preparation of the questioned document must
be obtained in the standards. If ballpoint was used, the procured collected and detailed standards written
by the use of ball point pen. If coupon bond was used, then procure also collected and requested standards
written on coupon bonds.
DIGUISES IN HAND WRITING

A. COMMON IN DIGUISES

1. Abnormally large writing

2. Abnormally small writing

3. Alteration in slant (usually backhand)

4. Usually variation in slant within a single unit of writing (within a single signature)

5. Printed forms instead of cursive forms.

6. Diminution in the usual speed of writing.

7. Unusual widening or restriction of lateral spacing.

B. KINDS OF DISGUISES

1. Change of slant - from right to left or vice versa.

2. Change of letter, either from cursive to block style or vice versa.

3. Change from cursive (conventional style) to block from or vice versa.

4. Change of style from small to big or vice versa.

5. Deteriorating one's handwriting

6. Using the wrong hand

References:
M.G. ALVAREZ FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT (THIRD EDITION)
CHAPTERHOUSE PUBLISHING INC.
Richard T. Camara, Ph. D. (2016). Questioned Document Examination, An Instructional Material for
Criminology Students with Laboratory Manual
PREPARED BY:
Ron Reynan F. Esguerra, RCrim
Instructor