

Aim- Detection of erasures and obliterations

Requirements- Altered samples, miscope etc.

Theory


Alteration is the act of changing the original
content on a document in order to gain some
profit.
Erasures


It is the erasing/ removing word, letters,
strokes etc. from the document to alter or
change or hide its meaning.

It can be accomplish by using erasure or

typewriter erasure, scratching the ink by
blade or knife , by bleaching (chemical
erasure) etc.
Types of erasures


1. Physical or mechanical erasure-using
erasures, blades, knifes or any sharp
instrument.

2. Chemical erasure-by using chemicals,

bleaching, washing etc.
Mechanical erasures


 It disturbs the fibres on paper.

It leads to the removal of sizing material from

surface of paper.

It can be observed in microscope.

Further writing on same part can cause

feathering of ink.
Chemical Erasures

 In case of chemical erasures, there is possibility of


change in color of paper and formation of stains on
paper due to reactions.

 Eradication fluids usually remove sizing from the

paper, leaving it much more porous and absorbent
than untreated paper and cause feathering of ink.

 Ex:- chemical wash of cheques.

 Examination under UV/IR light, oblique light.

Obliterations


 It is the covering or blocking of the original
matter by some other material or ink.

 Decipherment depends upon the color and

composition of covering ink and original ink. If
both are same then it is difficult to create contrast.

 It is easy to detect but difficult to decipher.

Methods to decipher

Photography using filters.


Observation in UV or IR light.

Chemically removing obliterating ink.

Photographic methods succeed only if

difference in colour or chemical composition
exists between the inks.
It can be done by the following two principles.

a)by penetrating the covering layer


photographically so that the original written
can be revealed

b) by removing the obliterating material

chemically while the original writing remains
intimated.
Use of filters of a similar color as to the
obliterating substance.


By transmitted, oblique, ultra-violet radiation
or through infra-red image converter, imaging
software.
 
Procedure-
1. The handwriting sample was prepared.
2. The sample was obliterated using another ink.
3. The sample was observed in miscope under UV and
IR light with and without filters.
4. The deciphered picture was saved.
 
 Observation- Stick the sample and label.


 
 Result- The examination of alterations has been
performed.