documents lectured

8/10/2019 Documents Lectured

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Forensic ScienceDocument Analysis

Mr. Glatt

2013-2014


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Document Analysis

Document Analysis is the examination andcomparison of questioned documents withknown material. Questioned Documents- any signature, handwriting,

typewriting, or other written mark whose source orauthenticity is in dispute or uncertain

Experts establish the authenticity of documentsand detect any changes, erasures, or obliterations

that may have occurred Obliteration- writing over top to smear or makeorginal writing unreadable


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Introduction to Handwriting

Everyones handwriting exhibits naturalvariation Writing instruments- pen, pencil, marker ect Mood, age, hurried

Brain does writing- methods of writingbecome subconscious Adults show little variation


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingLine Quality

Do the letters flow or are they erratic andshaky?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingSpacing

Are letters equally spaced or crowded? Are margins evenly spaced?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingSize Consistency

Is the ratio of height to width consistent?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingContinuous

Is the writing continuous or does the writer liftthe pen/pencil?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingConnecting Letters

Are the capital and lowercase lettersconnected and continuous?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingCursive and Printed Letters

Are there printed letters, cursive letters, orboth?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingPen Pressure

Is pressure equal when applied to upward anddownward strokes?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingSlant

Left, right, or variable?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingLine Habits

Is the text on the line, above the line, or belowthe line?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingFancy Curls or Loops

Are there fancy loops? Any other distinguishing features?


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12 Characteristics of HandwritingPlaces of Crosses on ts & Dots on is

Are ts crossed? ts crossed in middle, toward top, or toward

bottom

Are is dotted? Dotted toward left, toward right, or centered


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Technology Used in HandwritingAnalysis

o Biometric Signature Pads Learns to recognize how a person signs Evaluates speed, pressure, and rhythm of the

signature Recognizes forgeries by the detection of even slight

differences

o Computerized Analysis Compares handwriting samples objectively Compared with samples stored in databases


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Handwriting Analysis

o Evidence in the Courtroom Expert explains how comparisons were made Cross-examination by defense attorney may follow

Must be able to justify and defense usually has theirown expert witness to try to refute

o Shortcomings in Analysis Are the base documents real or fake? Did mood, age, fatigue impact the handwriting? Did experts miss details any details?


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Forgery and Fraudulence (Fraud)

Forgery- making, altering, or falsifying apersons signature or any other aspect of adocument with the intent to deceive another

Forged documents include: checks employment records legal agreements

licenses wills

Fraudulence forgery for material gain


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Check Forgery

Check forgery can include: ordering anothers checks from a deposit slip

altering a check

intercepting anothers check, altering, andcashing it

creating a check from scratch


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Preventing Check Forgery

Chemically sensitive paper

Large font size requires more ink and makesalterations more difficult

High resolution borders that are difficult to copy

Multiple color patterns on paper

Embed fibers that glow under different light

Use chemical wash detection systems thatchange color when a check is altered


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Counterfeiting

o Counterfeiting- When false documents or otheritems are copied for the purpose of deception

o A criminal activity existing since antiquity

o Items commonly forged today include: Currency Travelers checks Food stamps

Certain bonds Postage stamps


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Currency

Security features are added to paper currencythat scanning cannot reproduce

Regular printer paper contains starch. Paper currency contains rag fiber instead of

starch.

People usually first suspect money as fakebecause its texture does not feel right


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Verifying Authentic Currency

1. Portrait stands out and appears raised off the paper2. Contains clear red and blue fibers woven throughout the bill3. Has clear, distinct border edges4. Treasury seal is shown with clear, sharp saw-tooth points5. Watermark appears on the right side of the bill in the light

6. The security thread is evident a thin embedded vertical stripwith the denomination of the bill printed in it7. There is minute printing on the security threads, as well asaround the portrait8. When the bill is tilted, the number in the lower right-handcorner makes a color shift from copper to green

New security features:


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