Document Analysis Flashcards
Name the twelve handwriting features used for comparison
Overall Slant of Writing
Baseline Habits
Spacing between letters
Spacing between words
Individual letter formations
Formation of letter combinations
Connecting Strokes
Pen lifts
Pen pressure
Beginning and Ending strokes
Relative proportions between and within letters
Unusual flourishes
What are requested samples?
List the advantages and disadvantages
A sufficient exemplar of a suspect’s handwriting that was asked for and written in a controlled setting.
Advantages:
Control over the type of pen and paper used
Control over what is written
Sample Authentication
Disadvantages:
Time lapsed since offence
Offender may try to disguise handwriting
What are unrequested samples?
List the advantages and disadvantages
A document with the suspect’s handwriting, unrelated to the investigation, but from around the same time as the questioned document was produced.
Advantages:
Not disguised
Provides a relevant sample for comparison purposes
Disadvantages
Difficult to authenticate
Can be difficult to find
No control over writing implements, layout or content
What are the possible Court Report conclusions?
Conclusive (Positive) - The writer of both documents is the same person
Supporting (Positive) - Although it is likely that the writer of both documents is the same person, the possibility of a different individual cannot be ruled out
Inconclusive - Contradictory or there is little evidence
Supporting (Negative) - Although it is likely that different people wrote the documents, the possibility of it being one and the same person cannot be ruled out
Conclusive (Negative) - Different people wrote the documents
What are the types of shreds seen during document reconstruction?
Strip cut - Paper is cut into long vertical strips
Cross cut - Paper is cut both horizontally and vertically into small rectangles
Micro cut- Paper is cross-cut into much smaller pieces
High security - Paper is ground by heavy duty machinery until it fits through a mesh
Explain the method of shredded material recovery
- Attach two loops of masking tape to the bench vertically or horizontally
- Secure the paper shreds to the masking tape loops to enable you to reconstruct the document.
What are the non-destructive tests used in document analysis?
- Visual comparison of characteristics
- Comparison of fluorescent characteristics
What are the destructive tests used in document analysis?
- Require a small sample of questioned document
- Microscope determination of raw fibre type
- Nature of the surface coating
- Dyes
What types of forged signatures are there?
- Traced - Made by tracing over a copy of a genuine signature
- Simulated - Copying, with practice, of a genuine signature
- Blind - Free hand with no genuine signature
What features are analysed when detecting forged signatures?
- Shaky handwriting
- Unnatural pen lifts
- Blunt ends to pen strokes
- Retouching/correction
- Signatures are too similar
- Position of signature in document
- Presence of an impression from tracing
What are the uses of a Video Spectral Comparator?
VSC detects irregularities on altered and counterfeit documents using multiple wavelengths.
It can be used to detect obliterations: overwriting of a sample of writing or printing with a second writing implement.
Method:
- Dissolve enough of the top marker to reveal original writing
- Use a light source of a specific wavelength - this will pass through the top marker and interact only with the original ink
- Absorbance or fluorescence
What is indented writing and how can it be seen?
Indented writing is markings present on lower pages due to pressure applied when writing on top sheet.
It can be visualised using:
1. Oblique lighting: projecting light at a low angle
2. ElectroStatic Detection Apparatus
Method:
1. Place questioned document on platform
2. Lay sheet of Mylar film over the document
3. Switch on the vaccum and smooth out any wrinkles
4. Apply an electric charge to the Mylar film and paper by passing the corona over the top
5. Slant the platform and shake powdered toner over the Mylar sheet
6. Allow excess toner to slide off
7. Photograph the document
8. Cover with sheet of adhesive plastic to preserve the markings
Explain physical fit
Examination of two or more fragments/items to determine whether they may have originally formed (part of) one object
Explain the types of printers used on questioned documents
Dot Matrix Printers
Specific configurations of electromagnetically operated pins strike the paper through an ink ribbon
Appears as dots
Ink-Jet printers
Ink is forced through a nozzle to form the characters
Laser printers
Highest quality
Photosensitive, positively charged rotating drum
Laser directs beam leaves a positively charged image, which attracts the negatively charged toner
Explain the security features of banknotes
- Hologram
- See-through window
- Foil patch on the back
- Monarch’s portrait
- Colour changing border on edge of see-through window
- Silver/Gold foil patch
- Feel of polymer and raised print
- High Print Quality
- UV number
- Larger the note, higher the value
- Unique numbering - vertical same height and colour, horizontal - multicoloured letters and numbers, increase in height from left to right
