This document discusses the examination of questioned documents. It defines questioned documents and lists common characteristics examined for handwriting analysis. It emphasizes the importance of obtaining known writing samples and outlines guidelines for collecting exemplars to avoid deception. The document also discusses analyzing typewritten documents, identifying typewriters, and proper collection of typewriting exemplars. Finally, it briefly discusses techniques for examining photocopies, printers, and faxes.

1. JS 112: Questioned Documents
I. Learning Objectives (C18)
a. Define Questioned Document and list common individual
handwriting characteristics
b. List important guideline for collection of known writings and
precautions to minimize deception during collection of
exemplars
c. List class and individual characteristics of a typewriter and
describe proper collection of typewritten exemplars
d. List techniques utilized for uncovering alterations, erasures,
obliterations and pen ink variations
e. Describe 3 parameters of speech that a voice print
represents

2. Questioned Document
• Any object (paper, walls, windows, doors)
containing hand writing or typewritten
markings whose source or authenticity is in
doubt
• e.g. Letters, checks, drivers’ licenses,
contracts, wills, voter registrations,
passports, petitions, lottery tickets

3. Types of Document Evidence
LATENT:
• Indented writing
• Fingerprints
• Saliva (DNA)
• Watermarks
• Erasures
PATENT:
• Handwriting
• Physical Match
• Rubber stamps
• Obliteration
• Machine produced

4. Document examiner goals
• Ascertain source or authenticate the QD
• Uncover efforts at alterations
• Reconstruct written contents of charred or burned
paper
• Uncover meaning of indented writings found on a
paper pad after the top sheet has been removed
• Gathering documents of known authorship or
origin- critical to outcome

5. Handwriting Comparisons
• No two individuals write exactly alike
• Students start by copying (look similar- two
systems used are Palmer and Zaner-Blosser)
• As writing becomes subconscious then it becomes
individualized. Unconscious handwriting of two
different individuals can never be identical
• Variations due to angle, slope, speed, pressure,
letter and word spacings, relative dimensions of
letters, connections, pen movements, writing skill,
and finger dexterity.
• Other factors include arrangement on the paper,
margins, spacind crowding, insertions alignment,
spelling, punctuation phraseology and grammar

6. Hand writing

7. Handwriting Comparisons
• No single point or characteristic by itself
can be used for positive comparison
• Final conclusion needs to be based on
significant points of comparison
• The number is subjective with judgment
made by the expert examiner only in the
context of each particular case

8. Challenges to Handwriting
examiners
• Insufficient number of known writings with not
enough personal characteristics persent in the
known writings consistent with QD
• QD contains only a few words all unnatural
deliberately crude – theratening letters
• Writing habits may be altered due to drugs or EtOH
• However it is difficult to maintain false writing
habits when writing a large document
• Illustrated in Howard Hughes/Clifford Irving’s
forgery

9. Forged signatures of Howard Hughes and
examples of Clifford Irving’s writing

10. Collection of Handwriting Examples
• Collection of adequate samples of known writings
or exemplars is critical
• Exemplars with similar or alike pens and paper
should be used (if QD is ruled, then exemplar
should be done on ruled paper)
• Need to have adequate number of exemplars to
show natural variation. No 2 specimen of writing
by one person are identical in every detail (this
can be used if forgery is traced)
• Temporal aspect is important- within 2-3 years
• In some cases, may need to obtain voluntarily or
under court order.

11. Case law supporting constitutionality of
taking handwriting examples
• Gilbert v. California [388 U.S. 263-1967]-
take handwriting exemplars before the
appointment of counsel: handwriting
exemplars outside of the protection
privilege of the Fifth Amendment
• US v. Mara [410 U.S. 19- 1973]- did not
constitute an unreasonable search and
seizure- did not violate Fourth Amendment

12. Minimize conscious efforts to alter
writing while taking exemplars
• Get lots-text no shorter than a full page
• Dictation yields best exemplars and should take place at least 3
times. If faking, 3 replicates will not match. Need to repeat
• Make writer comfy without distractions
• Never show QD or provide instructions on spelling, punctuation or
case to use
• Have pen and paper similar to QD
• Text should contain contents or at least have words, phrases and
letter combinations in the QD
• Signature exemplars should be combined with other writings – eg
checks
• Document examiner should be consulted and shown the QD before
requested exemplars are taken

13. Typescript Comparisons
• Typewriters: Can the make and model of the typewriter used
to type the QD be identified
• Can a particular suspect typewriter be identified as having
prepared the QD
• Two most popular typefaces are pica (10 letters per inch)
and elite (12 letters per inch)
• Individual characteristics imparted due to wear and tear on
moving parts. Variation in alignment as well as defects in
each typeface are useful for individualization
• Type impressions left on a ribbon may make it possible to
find the portion of the ribbon on which a particular text was
typed

14. Typewriting

15. Exemplars for typewriter Comparisons
• Need good exemplars from the known typewriter
• Exemplars are needed either directly from the typewriter in question or
indirectly from gathering known writings that have been typed on the
suspect machine (temporal aspect important-why?)
•Minimum of one copy in full word –for word order of the wuestioned
type writing obtained

16. Photocopier, printer and Fax
examination
• Make and model of a machine used in printing
• Compare a QD to a test sample or exemplar from a
suspect machine
• Generate 10 samples through each machine to obtain
sufficient representation of photocopier’s characteristics
• Side by side comparisons made between QD and printed
example to compare markings
• Transitory defect marks due to debris on glass, inner cover
or mechanical protions of a copier produce images-
irregularly shaped and sometimes form distinct patterns