Document Analysis

Question 1

What is document analysis also known as?

Answer 1

Questioned documents

Question 2

What is the aim of most techniques for document analysis?

Answer 2

Avoid damage or alteration to documents

Question 3

What are possible good light sources that can be used?

Answer 3

Good daylight
Lamps
Microscopy (5 x 40)

Question 4

What other equipment may be used?

Answer 4

Low power stereomicroscopy
Infrared, UV- shows alteration of inks
ESDA (Electrostatic detection analysis)

Question 5

What are oblique light sources useful for?

Answer 5

Looking at document from different angles

Question 6

What are methods of recording visual results?

Answer 6

Photograph, photocopy

Question 7

In document analysis what is examined?

Answer 7

Individuals
Signatures
Document origin & history- when and how document produced
Document dating- authenticity 
Alteration, deletions, additions
Counterfeit documents

Question 8

What can be used to identify of individuals?

Answer 8

Fingerprinting
DNA profiling
Handwriting

Question 9

What do you look for in handwriting?

Answer 9

Construction of character forms
Natural variation- variation in writing from a few days ago to present
Comparison material
Other variations- writing tool, unusual circumstances writing on e.g. rough surfaces
Non-Roman script- e.g. Arabic or Chinese going to English

Question 10

What are the three basic types of handwriting in the UK?

Answer 10

1. Block
2. Cursive
3. Script

Question 11

What are signatures?

Answer 11

Most frequently used handwriting
Unconsciously produced
Genuine/forged signatures
Cannot use photocopies
Looking at strokes, direction of strokes, letters, dotted I’s etc.

Question 12

What are the types of forgery?

Answer 12

Tracing 
Freehand simulation
Authorship of simulation
Self-forgery
Vulnerable signatures
Guided hand signatures- forced to write signature
Comparison material
Conclusions
Look for- shaky, unnatural similarity

Question 13

What are the limitation of photocopies?

Answer 13

Loose fine detail that you get from original document

Question 14

What are drum marks?

Answer 14

These are things like dust, debris, with those might be able to identify specific machine

Question 15

What is a use of photocopies?

Answer 15

Lots of documents, link several document, can like photocopies to a particular photocopier

Question 16

What are the types of printing and typewriting?

Answer 16

Word processors
Laser printers
Ink-jet printers
Dot matric printers
Typewriters
Any particular defects transferred onto document

Question 17

What are printer characteristics?

Answer 17

Any sort of changes/ difference

Question 18

What can examination of ink show?

Answer 18

Usually non-destructive comparative analysis
Infrared spectroscopy
Fluorescence
Raman Spectroscopy
Thin layer chromatography/ high performance chromatography

Question 19

What is the con of chemical analysis?

Answer 19

Destructive

Question 20

What can you look at to analyse paper?

Answer 20

Size 
Thickness- Can age paper depending on materials within them
Density
Colour 
Finish
Biological fibres
Watermark

Question 21

How can you look at deep impressions on paper?

Answer 21

With light

Question 22

What is ESDA (Electronic detection 1979) used for?

Answer 22

Two documents stored together, indentation thin enough transfer of writing

Question 23

How do folds and creases demonstrate history?

Answer 23

Tears matched/mechanical fit

Question 24

What do staples and punch holes produce?

Answer 24

Staples-psychical damage

Punch holes- irreplaceable changes

Question 25

What is changed in documents that are forged?

Answer 25

Erasing documents a document- move around
Obliterated
Addition ink entries
Backdated information