Questioned Document
Questioned Document - is any signature, handwriting, typewriting or other mark whose source or authenticity is in dispute or doubtful.
Graphology - study of the handwriting to determine personality traits. Simulation - an attempt to disguise one's handwriting or copy someone Else's. The following trait are considered in handwriting analysis:
Characteristics which indicate that a handwriting sample has been forge.
Calligraphy - decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering. The art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush. From Greek "Kallos"-beauty and "Graphe"-writing.
Three Stages in the Process of Handwriting Examinations 1. Analysis - the questioned and the known items are analyzed and broken down to directly perceptible characteristics. 2. Comparison - the characteristics of the questioned item are then compared against the known standard. 3. Evaluation - similarities and differences in the compared properties are evaluated and this determines which ones are valuable for a conclusion. This depends on the uniqueness and frequency of occurrence in the items. Handwriting Exemplar - known standards - is a piece of writing that can be examined forensically as in a handwriting comparison. Two Types of Handwriting Exemplars 1. Request Writings - obtained from individual specifically for the purpose of conducting a handwriting comparison. 2. Collected Writings -samples the individual produced for some other unrelated reason generally in the course of their day to day activities. Common Questioned Documents 1. Forgery 2. Counterfeiting 3. Mail Fraud 4. Kidnapping 5. embezzlement 6. Theft 7. Robbery 8. Sex Crime 9. Murder 10.Homicide Historical Dating - work involving the verification of age and worth of a document or object. Indicators of Forgery 1. Blunt starts ans stops 2. Pen lifts and hesitations 3. Tremor 4. Speed and Pressure 5. Patching Questioned Document Definition of Terms: Next Page Related Readings: Questioned Documents
1. Forensic Chemistry Definition of Terms 2. Questioned Document Reviewer 1 |
|