The ACE-V Methodology in
Forensic Handwriting
Identification
What is ACE-V Methodology?
It is the scientific method in the identification of questioned document especially
in the identification of handwriting.
Identification of handwriting, when it is difficult to establish the excellet
agreement of identity, may somehow be verified by other experts for the purpose
of verification.
Analysis
It refers to the properties or characteristics are observed, measured and
determined.
The first thing to examine is the questioned handwriting since it ay arrive first in
the hand of the examiner.
The analysis will give the examiner an idea of what type of handwriting will give
the best standard to compare with the questioned handwriting.
Analysis
To establish further, the genuineness of the handwriting in question, it is the
standard handwriting that may be studied or analyzed first just to give a clearer
picture of individuality in the handwriting.
Descriptive Analysis
The general description of the questioned handwriting is determined by
descriptive analysis.
This is to study the general appearance of the questioned handwriting.
Descriptive Analysis
General formation of handwriting or signature
Relation to baseline
Line quality
Ratio and proportion
Variation in the handwriting
---these are the general descriptive aspect to analyze the handwriting of a person.
Descriptive Analysis
After having studied the general descriptive aspect, next to consider is the
specific description of the standard handwriting.
The specific description refers to the specific characteristics found in the
handwriting of the person.
These are very strong points to have excellent agreement for identification.
Descriptive Analysis
Specific description of handwriting is represented by arrows and numbers to
pinpoint the specific description.
All possible characteristics and elements found in the handwriting must be taken
and put into consideration.
Comparison
It refers to the properties of the unknown items determined thru analysis are now
compared with the familiar or recorded properties of known items.
The questioned handwriting is the unknown which needs to establish its identity
by comparing it to the known item which is the standards.
Comparison
Procedures:
Place the questioned and the standard specimens in a juxta position.
Take note visually and mentally points of similarities and points of dissimilarities.
Never touch with a pencil, ball point pen, or any pointed objects the documents.
Principles in Choosing Standards of
Comparison
The best standards are of the same general class as those of the QD; as nearly as possible
of the same date before and after the date of the writing of the document in dispute
(contemporaneous)
The writings to be admitted as standards must be proved to be genuine (acceptability of
standards)
Principles in Choosing Standards of
Comparison
The selection should comprise those writings known to be genuine and made under
favorable conditions and in a natural manner. (proof of genuineness)
Standards of comparison should be the handwritings available and best suited, regardless
of the time they were written, whether near the date of the disputed handwriting or many
years after.
Example of comparative examination made
on different handwriting of a person.
Evaluation
It refers to the similarities and dissimilarities in property or characteristics that
have value for identification is determined by its likelihood of occurrence.
It is derived from comparing the standard and the questioned specimen.
Evaluation
In positive evaluation, when the number of significant similarities that exists
between the disputed writing and the standards shows singularity of genuineness,
the conclusion is that the former is written by the same hand that wrote the latter.
By similarities, it means that none of those significant characteristics of the
genuine is different from those of the questioned.
Evaluation
In negative evaluation, when the weight of divergent characteristics that exist
between the disputed writing and the standards show significant differences, and
these differences fundamentally differ from genuine variations, the conclusion is
that the former is not written by the same hand as that of the latter.
Other points to consider in the identification of the signature are the presence of
significant reminder.
Where excellent agreement may exist however there exist significant reminder on
the result, the analysis and comparative examination may be reviewed to establish
whether that reminder is only an accidental or temporary or additional standard
can be asked for.
The conclusion must be purely derived from the evaluation of the handwriting.
The QD examiner shall give sound conclusion or opinion deduced solely from the
examination performed.
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 and not on 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.
Verification
It is also known as the 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.
Guidelines in the Examination of Handwritings
Document examiner determines first whether all standards were written by one
person, if the date of execution is contemporaneous with the date of the QD and
the number of the standards are sufficient.
The examiner examines the standards, differentiating the common and individual
characteristics and the extent and range of his natural variations.
Guidelines in the Examination of Handwritings
The examiner also examines the standards specimen and compare the common
and individual characteristics with that of the QD and determines if both agree.
The examiner has to weigh the points of similarities and points of dissimilarities
according to his reasonable judgment and experience.
Guidelines in the Examination of Handwritings
The examiner subjects the QD to a microscopic examination to determine the
presence or absence of unnatural or concealed joints.
The examiner takes photomacrograph and photomicrograph of the documents---
the questioned and standards.
Guidelines in the Examination of Handwritings
The documents are enlarged to around 5x in diameter for better comparison.
Points of similarities and dissimilarities between the questioned and standards
should be indicated by red arrows.
