FORENSIC DOCUMENTS: OVERVIEW program were an absolute requirement for a continuing invitation.

irement for a continuing invitation. The ASQDE Hence, Almost any type of document may become disputed in an investigation
is considered, by many, to be the primary national organization disseminating or litigation.
research in the United States.
DEFINITION EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED FOR SUCH
1977: American Board of Forensic Document Examiners - Official EXAMINATIONS:
Formation. The ABFDE’s stated objectives are two‐fold: to establish, maintain
FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINATION is a branch of forensic science that and enhance standards of qualification for those who practice forensic  Wills
deals with documents having a suspicious authenticity. Also called as document examination, and to certify applicants who comply with ABFDE  Checks
Questioned Document Examination, it involves the application of scientific requirements for this expertise.  Credit card receipts
methods and principals for document examination. This helps to produce  Business contracts
evidence about a questioned document that is admissible in the court of law to  Marriage contracts
prove its legitimacy. FORENSIC DOCUMENTS 2: FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER  Birth certificates
 Mortgages, deeds of land,
The American Board of Forensic Document Examination defines forensic transfers, and leases
document examination as the practice of the application of document FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER refers to persons who study all aspects of  Insurance applications
examination to the purposes of the law. It relates to the identification of: a document to determine its authenticity, origin, handwriting photocopies, inks  Agreements
handwriting, typewriting, authenticity of signatures, alterations in documents, and papers.  Accounting ledgers and financial
the significance of inks and papers, photocopying processes, writing records
instruments, sequence of writings and other elements of a document in relation o Forensic document examiners are basically  Anonymous and threatening
to its authenticity or spuriousness. laboratory investigators. letters
o They do not conduct crime scene searches, street  Suicide notes
In the Philippines, crime laboratories and popular media refer to it simply as investigations, interviews or interrogations.  Tests and examinations
QD (short for questioned documents). It is also known by other names such as: o Their work does not involve face-to-face  Medical charts
handwriting examination or handwriting analysis. encounters with the street reality of crime and its  Diaries, agenda, and appointment
victims, witnesses and suspects. books
o Document Examiners usually work their cases  Legal files
HISTORY solo.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: Must be of good moral character, high integrity

3rd CENTURY: The Time of Titus and Anthony. “Jurists established protocols and good repute, and must possess high ethical and professional standing. FORENSIC DOCUMENTS: EXAMINATION TYPES
for the determination of forgery and the manner in which forgeries were to be
detected.” EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Baccalaureate degree which does not have
to be a specific science area. A. HANDWRITING is the result of a very complicated series of acts, being used
16th CENTURY: Justinian Code. “Established further guidelines for the using as whole, combination of certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits
of handwriting comparisons in the courts. A judge could in his discretion QUALITIES TO BE CONSIDERED: acquired through a long, continued painstaking effort.
request persons with special skill in writing to perform an examination of
questioned writing and give testimony as the authenticity of the text.” o Must have good vision: Compares colors, sizes, o NATURAL HANDWRITING – writing executed
shapes, and normally without any attempt to control or alter
1887: United States; Bell vs. Brewster (10 N.E. 679, 44 Ohio St. 690). “The inconspicuous microscopic items. its identifying habits and usual quality of
Ohio Supreme Court recognized the importance of handwriting as a means of o Good at public speaking: Sometimes testifies in execution.
identifying a person.” Utilizing: Standards of comparison, expert comparative court
analysis and opinion testimony regarding writing to established questioned o Not an outdoor-type of person: Stays inside the o DISGUISED WRITING – deliberately trying to
writing as prepared by a specific writer. laboratory for long periods. alter his usual writing habits in hope of hiding his
identity, writing skill is poorer, change in slant,
1900: Daniel T. Ames; “Ames on Forgery”. Founder and 20 years editor of size, altered of capital letters.
the Penman’s Art Journal and examiner of contested handwriting in Courts of FORENSIC DOCUMENTS: PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT EXAMINATION
Justice for 30 years.
The goal of a forensic document examiner is to study and investigate documents CLASSIFICATIONS OF WRITING CHARACTERISTICS:
:New York vs. R.B. Molineaux. Notable early criminal case involving the in order to determine the facts about their preparation and history.
testimony of several handwriting experts who examined the package and *CLASS CHARACTERISTICS – common to a group of people . Learned from
testified that it was written by Molineux. Roland Molineaux, a chemist was tried A document may be examined for a number of purposes including: school or from an individual’s parents
for the poisoning murder of a woman.
1. Identity of the author. *INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS – highly personal or peculiar to a particular
1903: Matter of Rice. Rice was the victim of one of the earliest sensational 2. True contents of the document. writer. They are characteristics which are the result of the writer’s muscular
crimes of the 1900s. He was presumed to have died in his sleep. Shortly 3. Origin of the instrument of paper used in making the control, coordination, age, health, and nervous temperament, frequency of
thereafter, a bank teller noticed a suspiciously large check bearing the late document. writing, personality and character. No two persons write alike. They are found
Rice's signature and made out to Rice's New York City lawyer, Albert T. Patrick, 4. Alterations or erasures which have been made. in the following:
but with Albert's name misspelled as "Abert". Soon, Patrick made an 5. Authenticity of the document or recognizing
announcement that Rice had changed his will right before his death, leaving genuineness. - Writing movement – the character of writing movement
the bulk of his fortune to Patrick rather than to his Institute. 6. Analyzing color tone of inks, papers, and other is a primary determinant of writing speed. It makes more
substances that comprise documents. time to make a long one. More time to form a small solid
1910: Albert Sherman Osborn "Questioned Documents". A comprehensive letter than a form a large “racy one”. A short, steady line
text which established a greater focus on not only the examination of suggests a firmly controlled and purposeful movement.
handwriting and signatures, but of other types of evidence appearing on FORENSIC DOCUMENTS: DOCUMENTS
documents including paper, ink, typewriting and alterations. - Form and design of letters – all differences in forms and
design of letter are indicative of non-identity. The writing
Albert S. Osborn also, during the early part of the century, began to invite other DOCUMENT is any material containing marks, symbols, or signs either visible, patterns of letters has three dimensions, width, depth,
document examiners to his home in Upper Montclair, NJ. These meetings were partially visible that may present or ultimately convey a meaning to someone. height.
the beginnings of what would become the American Society of Questioned May be in the form of pencil, ink writing, typewriting, or printing on paper or
Document Examiners. not. - Muscular control or motor control – is characterized by
free smooth, well-regulated movement produced without
1929: Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory. Because of the influence of It can be any object not only found on paper, it may be a writing tension or impulsive variation. Deviation from muscular
Prof. John Wigmore, the laboratory was modeled after multidisciplinary left on walls, mirrors, windows, plumbing pipes, the side of control are:
European laboratories and included a questioned document section. automobiles, or even on the bodies of victims.
i. Loose writing – there is too much
1942: American Society of Questioned Document Examiners. With Albert Plain paper or tablets that do not appear to have any writing on freedom of movement and lack of
Osborn presiding, ASQDE was formally established. Membership in them are also examined for indentations of writing. regularity. This is noticed
organization was entirely by invitation. Its meetings were completely especially in tall letters forms.
educational in scope, and annual attendance as well as full participation in the
 ii. Restrained writing - there is lack of to the surface of the paper, the nature of the movement traces with considerable pressure, over the genuine signature
freedom and inhibited movements. employed in making the stokes as shown by its force and using a pencil, pen stylus or similar instrument and creates an
It gives you the impression that freedom or its hesitation. indented signature outline on the document being forged. Alter
every stroke was made with great this depression outline is overwritten using pencil, or foundation
difficulty. - Variation – there are trivial or superficial differences pen.
which can be observed when any two genuine signature
- Motor coordination – A writer with a good motor or writings are compared with each other. These writings c. Transmitted light process: The document to be forged is placed
coordination writes without mental strain, forming his will differ somewhat in size as well as in certain on top of the document containing the genuine signature.
letters without conscious attention. The hand moves as unimportant particulars in design and execution because
soon as the mind conceives a word to write and the word of the fact that the human writing mechanism is not an
is there on the paper entirely accurate reproducing instrument like a stamp
print but produces and inevitable variation within a C. PRINTED DOCUMENTS
- Shading – In forearm movement where considerable certain filed. The degree of this variation varies with
speed is used, there is ordinarily but slight shading if different writers.  TYPEWRITERS can be traced to manufacturer and model by
any. Some writers place the greatest emphasis on the examining the font.
straight strokes, others on the curves. B. SIGNATURE is a name or a mark that a person puts at the end of a document
to attest that he is its author or that he ratifies its contents. Many persons who - If the typewriter cannot be submitted , it will be necessary to
- Skill – legibility and symmetry are the basis upon which done a lot of writing transform their name. Letters become simplified or get the complete set of all characters at all settings of pressure.
ones skill or pictorial aspect is judged. Skill is classified condensed, complex movement appears. This is now a signature. It is mark but It is also advisable to type the exact questioned document on the
as poor, medium and good. this mark is now personal. It is personal combination of stroke in which it is typewriter so the examiner can make direct comparisons.
possible to recognize the writer.
- Alignment – Good alignment is obtained by a forearm - If possible, the ribbon should also be submitted for
movement in which the elbow joint is used as the center 01. A signature is a word most practiced by many people and examination.
or pivot of lateral motion and arm is held at right angles therefore most fluently written.
to the line or writing. This set-up allows the hand and  LASER PRINTER AND COPIERS, it is not necessary for the
forearm to swing left or right in an arc and also permitting 02. A signature is written with little attention to spelling and examiner to have the printer or copier.
the forearm to rotate so that the palm may be turned some other details.
downward or upward. - An adequate number, at least a dozen, of exemplars are taken
03. A signature is word written without conscious thought to show the degree of consistency of the extraneous markings
- Pen-pressure – one of the most reliable indication of about the mechanics of its production and is written
naturalness in handwriting is the rhythmical and fluent automatically. - If there are no reproducible extraneous markings on the paper,
application of pressure and release of pressure, this and the source of the copy is not known, chemical analysis and
indicate that pressure is always in a state of change 04. A signature is the only word the illiterate can write with comparison of the toners with known samples may be done.
moving form light to heavy or form to light. confidence.
 INK-JET PRINTERS, if there are no reproducible imperfections
- Connection – the connective form determine the from the printer, it may still be possible to pinpoint the printer
essential expression of the writing pattern. It is the main KINDS OF FORGERY SIGNATURES: manufacturer from chemical analysis of ink, determining the
indicator of his neuromuscular function. Connections class characteristics such as font type to associate a document
used may be rounded like the garland and the arcade, 1. SIMPLE - Does not try to copy a model but writes with something with a computer and printer.
angular and threads. They form the letter and ink them resembling we ordinarily call a signature. For this he used a false
within the words. name and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual writing by  FAX MACHINES, other than ink analysis, some characteristics
adopting a camouflage called disguise. of fax may be looked into, such as the Transmitting Terminal
- Rhythm – This characteristic is an important indicator Identifier (TTI), a special header that is usually on a special font
of a natural writing movement. It is caused by a 2. SIMULATED SIGNATURE - Free hand drawing in imitation of different from the text font that contains originating and
contraction and relaxation of group of muscles in full model signature. recipient fax numbers, date and time.
coordination. Pressure is always in a state of change from
light to heavy or vice – versa. (a) Simulated with the model before the
forger – He makes an effort to obtain a
- Disconnections or pen lifts between letters – this reproduction of the model signature. He D. DOCUMENT ALTERATIONS
characteristic’s may be due to lack of movement control works slowly, strokes after stroke.
or closely related to design of letters and habits a. OBLITERATIONS is the overwriting of a sample of writing or printing with
controlling this characteristics were acquired when  Direct technique – Forger works another writing instrument
writing was learned. Many free writers don’t stop the directly with ink
notion of the pen every time it is raised so that the notion  Indirect techniques – Forger work - It may be accidental or deliberate
itself may be learning to write are taught to take up the first with pencil and afterwards
pen before the small letters “a” , “c” ,’ “d” , “g” , “q” and covers the pencil strokes with ink. - The document examiner may be called upon to discover what is contained in
“t” and the design of certain styles of the these small the writing beneath the obliteration.
letters requires that the pen be raised. (b) Simulated free hand forgery – Used by
forgers who have a certain skill in writing. b. ERASURES virtually involve disturbance of paper coatings and fibers at the
- Speed - speed of writing which is correlated with After some practice, the forger tries to point of the erasure that can be seen with a low-power microscope.
naturalness of handwriting is frequently shown by write a copy of the model quickly.
slurring of letter forms. It may occur in a number of ways:
3. TRACED SIGNATURE - Tracing of a genuine signature outline.
- Slant as a writing habit- Slight divergence in the few  Abrasive erasure – removing writing (usually
strokes of single signature may be very strong evidence TYPES OF TRACES: that made with a pencil) with an abrasive eraser
of lack of genuineness when such divergence is part of a material.
combination of character pointing to a writer of a a. Carbon Process: The forger places the document to be forged on
difference system of writing from that imitated. A slight the bottom, inter-leave a piece of carbon and places on top a  Chemical erasure – involves dissolving or
but persistent difference in slant in two writings of document containing the genuine signature. The forger then bleaching ink so that it is no longer visible.
considerable length, may be evidence difference might be traces over the genuine signature with pencil, pen stylus, or
the result of intended disguise. other pointed instrument. c. INDENTED WRITINGS is when a document is written on the top sheet of a
pad paper using a writing instrument that exerts pressure on the paper.
- Proportion of letters as an individual characteristic The pressure of this over-tracing against the carbon paper
or habit. imprints the signature outline in carbon on the bottom - The simplest and most popular method used to view indented writings is with
document. This type could be easily detected by the smattering oblique lighting. If a light is directed across the surface of the page at an angle,
- Quality of stroke or line quality- the line or stroke itself of carbon remnants on the forged document. the indentations may cast enough shadow on the paper to reveal the contents
in writing shows the quality of speed and continuity of of the writing.
motion with which it is made, the degree of muscular skill b. Indentation Process: The document containing the model
employed in the operation, the relation of the pen point signature is placed on top of the forged document. The forger
d. CHARRED DOCUMENTS when the documents are recovered before being  Conduct field laboratory works – questioned document
completely destroyed, there is a chance that some of the writing can be examiners are sent to agencies or offices to conduct examination REFERENCES:
identified. Although the paper may become charred, the ink or pencil may not and to photograph original documents that cannot be submitted
char as easily. to the PNP Crime Laboratory
Alvarez, M.G. (2013). Forensic Examination on Questioned Documents.
- One of the problems with charred documents is that they are very fragile.  Attend court duties Novaliches, Quezon City: ChapterHouse Publishing
Sometimes they can be strengthened by misting them with a lacquer or alcohol Incorporated.
or water.
Document examinations performed by the PNP-QDED are based on written
requests from government agencies, private investigating agencies, court ASQDE, American Society of Questioned Document Examiners: History and
orders, as well as private requesting parties. Table 1.0 shows the requirement Background, ASQDE, 1990
E. INK ANALYSIS has been aided by research into the composition of inks that for the conduct of examination based on the PNP Citizen’s Charter.
has led to the development of easier methods of characterizing and comparing
inks. Understanding the composition of an ink sample and the chemical
changes that it undergoes as it dries can be very important in several types of Leaver, W. (2007). Forensic Laboratory Handbook: Procedures and Practice.
document cases. Mozayani, A. and Noziglia, C. (Eds.).Totowa, NJ: Human Press
Inc.

Storer, W. (1997). Introduction to Forensic Sciences (2nd Edition). Eckert, W (Ed.).

F. DOCUMENT DATING is where document examiners are sometimes called New York, NY: CRC Press LLC
upon to determine if the age of a document is consistent with what it is
purported to be. Questioned Document Examination. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://questioneddocuments101.weebly.com/history.html
Example: A situation in which some writing on a document is not written at the
time it is dated. The most common way of doing this is by determining the age
of the ink on the document.

The most common method used is to examine the chemical changes to the ink
as it dries. When ink dries, a number of chemical processes are going on at the
same time; for example, the solvent in the ink is constantly evaporating. As this
happens, some of the components of the ink may form polymers. In addition
the dyes in the ink will change in chemical composition over time.

FORENSIC DOCUMENTS: PNP QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

DIVISION

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory Group includes the
Questioned Document Examination Division (QDED), which aims to provide
scientific support in forms of documentary and testimonial evidence. Their
function to examine questioned documents specifically including:

 Handwriting examination – including hand lettering (such as

anonymous letters, ransom notes and suicide notes) and Table 1.0: Fees and Duration Reflect Rates as of October 2013
signatures (such as those appearing in deeds of absolute sale,
receipts, marriage contracts and land titles)

 Imprint examination – including those produced by manual

devices (rubber stamps, dater stamps and some cancellation
stamps), mechanical devices, and electronic printing devices;
also those produced by the manufacture of counterfeits
(currencies, negotiable instruments, travel documents, licenses,
and various credentials and identification documents)

 Writing media examination – including instruments, inks and

papers

 Dating examination – includes absolute determinations (e.g.,

dates of introduction of products) and relative determination
(e.g., erasures or alterations), changes, insertions and
substitution

 Examination of falsification and alterations – including

removals, changes, insertions and substitutions

 Examination of invisible, faded and obscured writings and

impressions of writings

 Examination of preternatural paper characteristics –

including tears, fasteners, cuts and perforations

 Miscellaneous examination – such as envelope tampering,

adhesives, laminations, typist’s characteristics and linguistics

 Conduct lectures to PNP, AFP and other government

agencies