3. INTRODUCTION
Document : Anything that is written that convey
message to others. It may be visible or partially
visible.
Questioned Document: A document is usually
questioned because of its origin, its appearance its
content or circumstances and theory regarding its
production arouse serious suspicion as to its
genuiness.
4. Some basic points for consideration in the
preliminary examination of a document are:
1. Paper should be examined for its unusual size,
any folds, marks of artificial discoloration,
indentation marks and thinning of paper.
2. Whether document is alterred i.e. any erasure,
obliteration, substitution or addition of any kind is
on the paper.
3. Kind of ink or pen used for preparation of
document.
4. In case of type written document.
5. Cancellation and normal manner of fixation of
revenue stamp.
5. To make an examination of any suspect document
following factors are considered:
1. Equipment : i) Magnifying Glass / Stereo Microscope
ii) Photography Arrangement
iii) VSC/Docucenter/ESDA etc.
2. Background Detail : Detail of appearance of document
should be written so that examiner will alert his mind
about any discovery during his examination.
3. Description of document: Description of Document
should be made because during examination some
deterioration may take place because every time
document is exposed to light and it may not be handled
properly.
6. APPEARANCE OF DOCUMENT
Folds and Creases
1. Impression of Stamp
Cancellation Stamps – if present on both side of
the envelope indicate contents removed from the
envelope and replace in different ways.
2. Artificial Ageing
3. Use of Demarcation
on Protruded Document
4. Writing on Folded Paper
7. Odour
Odour associated with document indicate where it had
been kept.
It may be of Tobacco, Cosmetics and fungi.
Impression
Due to low tensile strength paper take impression very
well impression can be seen through Oblique
illumination or grazing incidence.
8. Genuine Signature which has been used as a basis of traced
forgery. Shallow groove which follow very closely the outline of
signature.
Writing Paper
Due to pressure applied impression found on sheet which is below
that being written on.
Type Script
Anonymous type written letter bearing impression of matter typed
when paper was used as a backing sheet
9. EXAMINATION BY TRANSMITTED
LIGHT
Holding the document in a strong light indicates its
colour and places where translucency of sheet has
been changed through scrapping, oiling and
rubbing.
Wire Marks and Water Marks
Erasure
These are examined through transmitted light.
10. WIRE MARKS AND WATER MARKS
Variation in transparency – are wire marks and water marks. Wire
marks are fine markings often seen to cover the surface of the paper
If parallel – laid paper
If mesh – wove paper
Both introduced at early stage of manufacture
Two pieces of paper when joined were not originally derived from same
sheet because wire marks do not coincide.
11. ERASURES
Paper reduce in thickness.
Transparency occur at that place.
Feathering of ink occur when something is written on site
of an erasure.
12. THE SURFACE
Note the discoloration as it yield evidence of origin of
document.
If wetted document – surface will present wavy
appearance when it dries.
BLOTS AND SMEARS
May be used to cover up the site of an erasure.
E.g. Surface of the paper in the centre of the blot reveal a
roughening which may be an evidence of
abrasion/erasure.
13. DIMENSIONS
Trimming of unwanted entries, dates.
Sheet of paper of unconventional size should be regarded
with suspicion.
If edges of document is irregular a record of its outline
preserved for further investigation.
PERFORATION
When number is missing from the check or receipt the
matching of perforation should be done to establish
correspondence.
14. ADHESIVE STAMP
The unsymmetrical
perforation of the stamp
with respect to the
engraving may prove of
significance when
question of possible
contiguity are raised.
15. Perforation in the lower right hand corner can be seen to
be covered with adhesive indicate stamp has been re-
fixed.
16. HOLES AND TEARS
Any perforation in an unusual place or one which is
abnormally large has probably been made to eliminate
data – betray the fraud.
If a serial number torn off and refixed the torn off portion
– wire marks are of great importance.
17. CONTENTS OF DOCUMENT
Secret Writing
Space of visible writing is used to cover up the
secret writing.
Many secret writing are displayed on warming the
document.
18. EXTRANEOUS MARKING
These marking are of tea coffee dust blot smear. These are often
used in artificial ageing.
These are always regarded with suspicion while examination of
document
TYPE SCRIPT
If passage is not same throughout – indicate fraud addition.
Addition of typed material causes – misalignment
Design of letter t, r, g, a, and h should be compared with reminder
type script.
Examine colour of type script.
INK LINE
Color of ink – lighter or darker indicate use of different ink or writing
at different time.
Whether use of blotting paper habit .
Feather edging – indicate presence of an erasure.
19. SIGNATURE
Design of letter
Position of signature – inbuilt document –
signature in an unconventional place.
Direction – i) straight
ii) Slope upward
downward
Presence of double line
Defective ball pen used.
Signature has been used as a model by forger.
Genuine signature overwritten as a scheme of
forgery.
Question signature made with carbon paper or
bright green regarded with suspicion.
20. STAMPS
When a signature crosses the stamp the colour of the ink
on the stamp compared with overlap and edge of stamp.
Few signature are so small that whole can be
accommodated on stamp – the ink is liable to collect at
the edge of the stamp.
RECEIPT
Evidence may be scrutinize regarding the time of the
receipt.
If receipt torn – examine presence of impression which
indicate what was written on it.
21. BALLOT PAPER
When any suspicion arises on election – ballot
paper are examined.
ENVELOPE
Before opening the envelope examine it at the
bottom and at edge for traces of its having been
opened and resealed.
Note exact place on envelope where post office
cancellation marks appear.
22. NOTEBOOK
Removal of pages may be suspected if
binding too loose.
Substitution of other pages – examine any
impression of writing and other marking.
