Some of these articles and studies can be found in the Journal of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, the Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, and the American Academy of Forensic Science. Skip to content Forensic Document Exams In addition, Mark served honorably in both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army (ROTC). Incidents of financial exploitation frequently leave an evidentiary paper trail. The premise of handwriting identification is based on the principle that no two writers share the same combination of handwriting characteristics. Please consult our document expert for advice for your specific case. Forensic Document It is possible for a forensic document analyst to analyze document that has been written using a typewriter. The procedure detailed below follows the protocol of modern forensic handwriting examination, adapted to ancient ostraca, utilizing many common characteristics of … Forensic Handwriting Analysis – Expert Introduction to Handwriting Analysis, Forensic Document Analysis in Elder Care Disputes – Expert Article, Document Authentication in Construction Disputes – Expert Article, Forensic Document Examination – Expert Overview, Questioned Document Examination - Expert Introduction. Where hand torn pages are present, the shapes and sizes of the sections can be used to match up pages along with any printed designs or text entries present. For free phone advice call now on 07583 019421, Document Analysis Forensics | Handwriting Analysis Signatures | Forensic Handwriting Analysis |. Document forensics is that the field that has emerged to help the interpretation of evidence in court of law, which deals with getting evidence from the questioned documents. In addition, the document examiner takes into consideration a wide variety of individual characteristics including letter construction, proportion, spontaneity, spacing, slant, and the use of punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Metadata also includes the date and time the file was created. In addition, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) created the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science, which is composed of both government and private examiners selected based on their expertise, contributions and competency in the field. This problem has been studied by document examiners for over a hundred years. Questioned Document Examiners conduct questioned document analysis on various documents such as wills, ID cards, bank documents and much more. Basically, forensic analysis investigates an offense or crime - shows who, how and when something caused. Where more than one signature is in question, please submit all of your documents; this could help strengthen the evidence in the case. Such indented impression marks could recover additional evidence to assist identifying an author, date, or a lead on a location or telephone number of possible suspects in a case. It is particularly important for the forensic document to examine the original questioned document if it is accessible, as valuable evidence can be obtained through the microscopic examination of the original signature. The ESDA technique is a non-destructive process which creates a permanent record of the impression marks without damaging the questioned document. Document examiners go through rigorous training to learn how to scientifically analyze documents to determine authenticity. For those who regularly sign their name many times a day, for example on business documents, their signature may become shortened, abbreviated or simplified into a quicker, illegible, but highly personalized scribble. Peer group interaction is available through various organizations which encourages on-going training and education. The accuracy and precision of ink dating depends primarily on the interval involved. Another area involving scientific analysis of inks is in the determination of the order of ink entries. Through practice and repetition, writers inject their own characteristics into their writing. The proper handling and preservation of any evidence should be discussed with your expert prior to shipment or delivery. I can determine such things as whether there have been alterations made and whether the document is original. This kind of planning before collaborating on a handwriting analysis project will aid in avoiding contextual bias. This is what makes each person’s writing unique and individualized. While detectives were able to link the suspect to the crime scene using DNA evidence, they still had questions about the checks the suspect attempted to cash. Most document examiners possess instruments that can be used to perform and document such examinations. The suspect denied having anything to do with the murders. Handwriting analysis and forensic document examination is the process of using scientific methods to determine the origins of documentation, both written and electronically produced. He is currently an Associate with the firm Robson Forensic, Inc. Mark has been qualified as an expert in the field of forensic document examinations in both federal and state courts. The questioned document is examined and the handwriting is studied for any evidence of disguised writing and also to check that the writing present can all be attributed to the same author. Forensic handwriting analysis aims at tracking features corresponding to specific individuals, and utilizing them to decide whether the observed documents were written by a single hand or by different writers [44–49]. Evidence might include alterations, the chain of possession, damage to the document, forgery, origin, authenticity, or other questions that come up when a document is challenged in court. Often in cheque or benefit slip alteration cases an old-fashioned typewriter has been used to add in or alter word processed entries as the new characters can be easily positioned on the document and mistakes can also be lifted off using a correction tape fitted into the machine. Relative ink dating is most commonly employed in document examinations when the dates of entry are in question, though the various methods used to conduct such examinations all have intrinsic problems or require that certain assumptions be accepted, which usually leaves the results open to justifiable criticism. Topics discussed include training and qualifications for forensic document examiners as well as the various methods used to exam differing projects, such as signatures, checks, computer and type generated documents, as well as obliterated writing. In any comparison it is essential to have a suitable amount of reference writing for each suspect. Tests are conducted on color, thickness, weight, the presence of watermarks, weave patterns, and fiber. The methods of questioned document analysis involve handwriting examination, and analysis of ink, paper, printing, typewriters etc.to determine if the questioned document is authentic or not. The page below will bear a record of the writings from the page above which can be revealed using an angled, oblique high intensity light or by using the electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA). After being presented with the overwhelming evidence against him, the suspect confessed to the murders and was given a death sentence. After examination, the analyst typically answers the following questions: The requests usually entail PDF forgery analysis or intellectual property related investigations. The microscopic study of photocopied or printed documents can sometimes reveal unique identifying marks or defects to link documents or match them to specific pieces of equipment. What To Expect. Examples of questioned signatures which may be submitted for forensic document analysis may be wills, cheques, contracts, benefit claim forms, bank account application forms, identity documents, tenancy agreements, sales receipts, delivery slips, insurance claim forms and associated invoices. The most familiar area of questioned-document examination is handwriting analysis. Indented impressions of handwriting are invisible marks pressed into the papers surface when one document is written out while resting on top of another page. Based in Sydney and serving all States and Territories of Australia, Forensic Document Investigation (FDI) provides a focussed service on handwriting and signature comparisons. Where signatures are found to be forged, it may in some cases, be possible to link them to a common author. Absolute dating of modern inks, however, has proven to be one of the great quests of modern document examination. The Southeastern Association of Forensic Document Examiners defines a document as "anything that bears marks, signs, or symbols which have meaning or conveys a message to someone." Unit 8: Document Analysis. Chemical analysis of inks formerly required that liquid reagents be applied to the ink line by fine pipettes or that punches through the paper carrying an ink line from a suspicious entry be removed and tested. This becomes a pattern of habitual formations that are repeated from one writing to the next. The reference writings are then also studied. While there is no general solution to the problem, it is possible in almost every instance to provide a good analysis if both sides permit the micro-analyst to remove the requisite specimens and subject them to the appropriate test methods. Damage to the rollers or photosensitive plates with printers and photocopiers may also be translated into each image they record. In the case of cross-cut or diamond cut shredders it may not always be possible to reconstruct the documents depending on the volume of shreds present as to little information is held on the smaller sized diamond cuts. A Questioned Document can be the author of the reference writing wrote out the questioned handwriting. Findings must be supported by valid scientific investigation. Forensic document examiners, also known as questioned document examiners (QDEs), are forensic scientists who help solve crimes by verifying the authenticity of documents. 1413 “Chock‐full of document law points, covering many to questions including were lifi ti f t This was alandmark case due the number ofissues which addressed dealing with i h fi ld 1900 qualifications o expertexper s, Ink can be a liquid, paste or powder which used to produce images, text, or to make designs. The questioned writing is then compared to the reference writing and the presence of significant similarities and differences is noted. Questioned documents might include cheques, wills, invoices, letters of reference, drug lists from a crime scene, handwritten sales receipts, threat letters, anonymous letters, suicide notes and diary entries supporting alibis. This habitual repetition in writing is referred to as “variations,” which are natural deviations that are repeated in a person’s writing. Handwriting and Signature Analysis to determine authorship or authenticity of a writings, such as wills, medical records, harassment letters, promissory notes, etc. In working with forensic document examiners (FDE), attorneys should develop agreements outlining what information is relevant to the task at hand. The couple was robbed, beaten, and forced to write checks from their personal account before being murdered. Please refer to our guidelines on how to obtain the most suitable reference samples. According to Skip Palenik, President and Senior Research Microscopist at Microtrace Laboratories, inks often play a crucial role in the solution of document examination problems. In medical malpractice matters, examinations for the presence of indented writing are conducted by side lighting, photo-graphic techniques and the use of the Electrostatic Detection Apparatus, most commonly referred to as an ESDA. Forensic analysis is a term for an in-depth analysis, investigation whose purpose is to objectively identify and document the culprits, reasons, course and consequences of a security incident or violation of state laws or rules of the organization. Ideally ten or more reference signatures by the named author will need to be submitted in order to determine whether or not the signature is genuine. The reference writing is then also studied to check that the sample of writing has all been written out by one person and also that it has been written out in a natural, undisguised writing style. Those checks were compared with checks the suspect had attempted to cash. Examiners also analyze the source of paper which may contain handwriting, markings, printing, or graphics. A forensic document examiner checks to validate the authenticity of a document as well as relate it to a person, event, time or thing. Lesson#62_Graphology JonBenet Ramsey_Analytical_Paper. It may also be necessary to match two halves of a financially or legally important torn document together conclusively. He is a life member of the VFW and dedicates his time helping veterans and their families. That means that the types of … In an investigation it may be important to either discount an author, i.e. We would generally suggest ten to twelve versions of the questioned text which consists of a few sentences or paragraphs, or where larger volumes of writing are in question, perhaps only two or three pages. Furthermore, computers, facsimile machines, photocopy machines, and (though they are less commonly used these days) typewriters can sometimes be traced to their source. Its primary purpose is to provide evidence about a suspicious or questionable document using scientific processes and methods. Unit 5: Death & Forensic Entomology. A word processed document may have had a paragraph or an additional page inserted. Questioned documents can include legal documents such as wills, cheques, threatening letters, suicide notes and any form of letter or note relating to criminal activity. For instance, a threatening note may bear indented impressions that link it to blank note pad taken from a suspect's home, or bear impressions of a handwritten name or address that may lead the investigation further; a map recovered from a crime scene might reveal impressions of a name or location of a hostage; or an anonymous letter written in disguised handwriting may bear useful indented writings that can be matched to a suspects reference sample. With the use of confetti style shredders the pages are turned into layers of thin, long strips: it is essential that you do not disturb the layers of shreds in the shredder bin, as these strata are formed by separate pages of documents. Upon closer inspection, the examiner observed significant differences in the wife’s known writing style compared with that of the questioned checks, which contained a significant amount of tremor, pen lifts, and other features indicative of “unnatural’’ writing. These factors include the following: Numerous papers and research studies have been published in peer-reviewed publications on the individuality of hand-writing and other issues related to the examination of documents. HandwritingActivity. In this article, Forensic Document Examiner, Mark Songer discusses the role of document examiners within the context of construction disputes. "Forensic Document Examination is an established field of scientific study, as a means of identifying forgery and establishing the authenticity of documents in dispute." Many leave telltale artifacts either on the scanned image (watermarks, for example) and/or embedded in the metadata of the file.’’ Metadata is information that describes specific attributes of a file, and may contain information describing the specific device or application that processed the file. Forensic science is the application of science to the law. For example, the amounts in words and figures may have been altered on a handwritten or printed cheque. Forensic Document Examination or Questioned Document Examination involves the scientific examination of suspicious documents. Analytical methods now have been developed for removing single paper fibers under a microscope and then testing the ink on it using physio-chemical instruments such as infrared micro-spectrophotometry, x-ray spectroscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy. It has been possible in a number of cases to link the carbon-film ribbon to a series of such altered documents as this type of ribbon records every character typed onto a document, as the character area is left as a blank image on the film. When validating digital scans, it is important to look not only at what is present but also at what is not present. In this article, forensic document examiner, Mark Songer discusses the role of document analysis in elder care disputes. This article provides an introduction to the processes utilized by forensic experts performing Questioned Document Examinations. Forensic document analysis is the scientific study of handwriting, signatures, typed, printed or photocopied information, and can involve the examination of partial characters for the presence of alterations, paragraphs of text for insertions, through to whole bound volumes for added pages or to detect forgeries. The photographic printing plates can also be linked to documents through blemishes or defects on the plate, and the documents that result from them can also be grouped together through such identifying marks. In some cases, particularly where other forms of forensic analysis are not applicable or have not provided conclusive evidence, it may be useful to examine a document for the presence of indented impressions of handwriting. He also provides a brief example, comparing two handwriting samples, drawing attention to some of the key differences that a handwriting analyst may utilize in his analysis. Such altered documents could include any form of financial document or legal paperwork, such as cheques, contracts, invoices, wills. Ink can also be analyzed as well to determine its source or in some cases the sequence of intersecting pen strokes. However, forensic document examination can also be useful in a wide variety of other cases including elder abuse, medical malpractice, and — as illustrated in the case of the California couple — even homicide. An anonymous printed letter or document could be traced to a suspect's specific office printer or photocopier. A document contains all kinds of information that could be helpful for your case. A few days later, police arrested a man trying to cash several of the couple’s checks. In this article, Forensic Document Examiner, Mark Songer provides an overview of the cases where forensic document examination can be applied, the techniques and technologies used, and standards that exist in the field. Where documents such as financial papers have been destroyed by shredding it can be possible to reconstruct the pages and recover the destroyed information. Forensic Document Examination (FDE) is a forensic science discipline in which expert examiners evaluate documents disputed in the legal system. For example, where a note pad page has been torn in half, and one half has been used as an anonymous letter, and the other half, or the remainder of the page and note book have been recovered from a suspect. Old ink formulations are well documented and high quality chemical analysis has shown to be of great value in helping to unmask, for example, fraudulent signed sports memorabilia. Microscopic analysis and the examination of the edge patterns and their sheared edge profiles can be used to match the torn edge of a page to another edge. If significant similarities are noted and no significant differences are found, the questioned writing may be attributed to the reference writer, i.e. General acceptance within the scientific community; Use of standards to test the theory or technique; Peer review and publication of the technique; and. Document examiners must also meet the criterion of reliability as outlined in the Supreme Court decision Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U.S. 579 (1993). It is rare to be able to assign an absolute date to an ink line, but it is possible in certain cases because of specific circumstances. “Documents” may be defined broadly as being any material bearing marks, signs or symbols intended to convey a message or meaning to someone. A writer’s identity cannot be established through a single individual feature; rather, it is established through a combination of significant and unique identifying features absent any significant differences. He discusses the steps that a forensic document examiner follows, including analysis, comparison, and evaluation. ... Unit 8: Document Analysis. The purpose of this committee is to develop guidelines and standards which are consensus-based and supported by sound scientific principles. The style, shape, layout and spacing of the writing is also noted. Forensic science - Forensic science - Questioned-document analysis: Questioned-document analysis involves a number of areas of forensic inquiry. FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINATION A Brief History Adams v Ristine 122 S. E. 126, 138 Va 273, Virginia 31 A.L.R. The expert examined several example or “exemplar” checks written by the victims. Police contacted a forensic document examiner, also referred to as a handwriting expert. Document Analysis. Although there is an element of subjectivity in the field of forensic document examination, an examiner’s findings reflect more than mere opinion. The article highlights examples of “cut and paste” forgeries and provides background into the processes and techniques utilized as part of the investigation. Please contact Mark to discuss your case and how he can assist. The expert examined several example or “exemplar” checks written by the victims. Such methods are virtually non-destructive and provide a variety of chemical and elemental data that can be used to characterize or identify the components of dried ink for comparative or dating purposes. Please refer to the range of opinions used for an explanation of our regularly used opinion strengths. The strength of the opinion may therefore be limited, i.e. Forensic Document Examiners need to precisely record every step of the forensic document examination. Scratched or damaged areas on the glass surface of a photocopier create unique patterns that are recorded with each copy made on that area of the machine. If significant differences are consistently noted, it may be the result of reference writer not being responsible for producing any of the questioned writing. The discipline of forensic document examination is typically associated with white-collar crimes such as check fraud or other business transactions. Forensic document examination is the application of science and analytical techniques to cases involving questioned documents. He claimed the checks were payment for landscaping work he had done for the couple two weeks earlier. If two inks cannot be distinguished by purely optical methods and suspicion still exists that they are not the same, chemical methods of analysis come into play. If the cross-cut shreds are fairly long and only a few pages are present it may be possible to reassemble these. In 2010, an intruder broke into the home of an elderly couple living in California. Stay up to date with weekly communications from Robson Forensic - Substantive technical articles, safety practices across various industries, contact information from featured experts. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), a global leader in the development and delivery of voluntary consensus standards, publishes standards for methods and procedures used by forensic document examiners. If suitable reference writings are submitted and the forged signatures bear features of the forger's natural handwriting or signature style, the document examiner may be able to indicate the authorship of the forged signatures. For example, a series of counterfeit bank notes, immigration papers or tickets can be linked to a single source or grouped into batches. Police contacted a forensic document examiner, also referred to as a handwriting expert. Where a handwritten document is suspected of being altered or figures, words or paragraphs inserted, it may be possible to identify either a different author, or that a different type of ink has been used. Like many other scientific disciplines, peer-reviewed research is continuous and rapidly evolving in this field of study. What the analyst does is finding out the model of the typewriter that has been used by the offender and also making a comparison with the notes that the suspected typewriter has made. A certified forensic document examiner is skilled in determining the legitimacy of a document. The forensic analysis of signatures is a very specialised form of handwriting analysis as the signature, while unusually only a small amount of writing, is a highly customized and stylized piece of writing. They prepare a detailed report about the methods and proc… Most government-trained examiners as well as private examiners, complete a two-year, full-time training program or apprenticeship. He has developed and implemented Forensic and Criminal Justice programs at several institutions both domestically and internationally, and is the Founder of the Songer Institute. Non-Destructive Ink Analysis, Paper Analysis and Indentation Analysis; As a forensic document examiner, Donna conducts non-destructive ink examinations to identify different inks appearing within documents. All of the characters present in the questioned writing are then studied and the natural range of variation for each is determined. Procedurally nondestructive in nature, this device can detect indentations or impressions several layers below the top sheet, and many years after the indentations were created. It may be necessary to obtain course-of-business (handwriting produced in the course of an individual's everyday writings) reference writings in order gain a fuller sample of the individual's natural variation in their writing, rather than just a snap shot sample as shown by writing taken by request and for the purposes of the investigation. In this article, forensic document examiner, Mark Songer provides an overview of forensic document examination. Microsoft Word forensic analysis is something digital forensic investigators do quite often for document authentication. determine that an individual did not write out the questioned writing, or to ascertain whether a person was responsible for writing out the questioned material.

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