FORENSIC QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

JOEL ACADEMIA ATCHUELA Registered Criminologist Registered Nurse MAN (eu)

What is Document?

It is an original piece of written or printed matter conveying authoritative information or evidence It is any material which contains marks, signs, or symbols which are visible, partially visible or invisible that may presently or ultimately convey a meaning or message to someone

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What is Questioned Document?

A questioned document is any document which some issue has been raised or placed under scrutiny It is a document that has been questioned in whole or in part with respect to its authenticity, identity, origin or its relation among its parts and to other things A document becomes a questioned document when it is being questioned33 as

What is Questioned Document Examination?

Questioned Document Examination has been a profession since 1870, and is frequently done in cases of forgery, counterfeiting, mail, fraud, kidnapping, embezzlement, gambling, organized crime, white collar crime, art crime, theft, robbery, arson, burglary, homicide, serial murder, and deviant sex crime

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What is Signature?

In Webster dictionary, signature is defined as ones name written by himself on a document as a sign of acknowledgement

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CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

1.

Documents with questioned signatures - this groups includes any papers containing signature that is under suspicion, the document whose signature is disputed in its authenticity maybe a check, note, receipt, draft, contract, will and any commercial, legal, military or 66 personal papers

2. Documents containing alleged fraudulent alteration - this groups includes all papers which are alleged to contain some changes made fraudulently by erasure, addition, interlineations or substitution. - fraudulent alterations maybe revealed by analyzing the order or the sequence of the writing as shown by crossed lines, the identity of the ink, the continuity of writing and the ruling.
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3. Holograph Document Questioned or Disputed - this class of suspected papers comprises those in which the writing of an entire written document is questioned. - these complete documents, if fraudulent are usually vulnerable in many possible particulars and should be subjected to the most searching scrutiny of the paper, watermarks, ink, pens, style or system of writing, 88

4. Documents attacked on the questioned of their date and age - this class of questioned documents includes those in which the age of an instrument or the age of some of its parts are investigated - it also refers to documents in which the comparative age of parts may have some bearing on the question of its genuineness

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5. Documents Attacked on the Questioned of Materials Used in Their Production - any analysis of documents may show that pieces of paper used were manufactured many years after the date written on it. - the materials used in the production of the paper used are subjected to analysis to prove whether or not the date written on the papers matches the materials used in producing the paper.
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6. Documents That Identify the Handwriting - in this group are a great variety of questioned documents. - this group includes all documents, paper writings or instruments which by their handwriting and contents tend to identify the writer. - the most common documents of this class are all kinds of anonymous and disputed letters
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7. Genuine Documents Fraudulently Attacked

Erroneously

or

- this class of disputed papers are questioned regarding handwriting or penmanship, whether a certain writing is genuine or forged. 8. Documents to Identify Typewriting - papers containing typewriting may be examined to ascertain the typewriter used in writing the document. This case also involves determining the number of typewriter used and the possible fraudulent 1212

Fraudulent Alterations On Documents

1.

Mechanical erasures - alteration that produce an abrasion on the paper The following condition will show plainly that an erasure was made: a. the ink line is wider b. the ink line tends to run or to fader out sideways c. the ink shows through the back side 1313

2. Chemical erasure - chemical eradicators do not remove the writing, but merely bleach out the colon, thus, chemically erase writing may be reproduce by the use of ultraviolet light or use of infrared photography. 3. Additions - in this type of case, new pages of writing, typewriting or printing may be inserted. - perhaps only a few lines are added to alter the original meaning of the document.
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4. Interlineations - the writing between the lines of an instrument for the purpose of adding a part to it or correcting what has been written. 5. Substitution - it is another kind of fraudulent alteration that is committed when an entire page has been remove from an instrument and has been replaced by another piece containing matters different from those of the remove page. - a substitution does not contain any signature or seal 1515

6. Cancellation and Obliteration - an alteration by cancellation is occasionally found in a document of importance such as will, dead, or contract to eliminate a word, name or sentence without the necessity of rewriting the matter. - using the same written instrument, the writer draws lines in the form of latticework, or vertical or horizontal lines through the writing to effect cancellation.

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DEVELOPMENT OF HANDWRITING

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Handwriting and Graphology

Handwriting - the act of writing using a pen, pencil or other writing instruments. - it may also refer to a persons particular style of learning

Graphology - the science that deals with the study of handwriting particularly its characteristics. 1818

How To Prove a Persons Handwriting

The evidence of the writer himself A witness who actually saw the paper or the signature being written A witness who has a knowledge of the persons writing, by having seen him write on other occasions

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Witness who saw in the ordinary courses of business documents presumably written or signed by the person. Comparison of the disputed writing with any writing proved to be genuine, made by witnesses acquainted with the handwriting or by skilled witnesses (handwriting experts)

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Personalities in Disputed Document Identification

Albert S. Osborn - he was an examiner of questioned document in New York on 1887 and author of Questioned Document, The Mind of the Juror, and Questioned Document Problems

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B.J Vreeland Haring and J. Howard Haring - the father and son Haring of New York were the world famous handwriting experts who testified on the Charles A. Lindberg Jr. kidnapping case.

these experts conclusively demonstrated Hauptmannns authorship by a vivid photographic illustrations of his handwriting individualities as they appeared in the kidnap letters and in Hauptmann exemplars

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J. Newton Baker, LI.M of the Washington - he was a consultative expert in disputed documents, and in 1955 he authored the book, Law of Disputed and forged documents

- he has incorporated the legal and scientific features of the subject which have developed in the evidence as related trial procedure - he has combined the scientific and legal elements, which enter into this field of evidence in a skillful manner.
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James Conway - examiner of Questioned Documents, San Francisco, California postal Inspector in- charge San Francisco Identification Laboratory U.S Postal Inspection Service

- he authored Evidential Documents which was publish in Springfield, Illinois, U.S.A in 1959.

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Hans Schneickert - a Doctor of Law and Director of the identification Bureau of the Police Department of Berlin until 1928.

- instructor of Criminology at the University of Berlin on 1920 - he was a well- known handwriting expert

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Dr. Wilson R. Harrison - director of the British Governments Office Home Office Forensic Science Laboratory and honorary member of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners.

- among the subjects Dr. W.R Harrison discussed were: deciphering of erasures, the chemical analysis of ink, the identification of fingerprints, discovering of invisible writing, the establishment of the age of ball point pen documents, the tracing of anonymous letters and the authorship of typewritten 2626 matter

CHARACTERISTICS UNDERLYING HANDWRTING

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Handwriting Characteristics

The natural and subconscious handwriting characteristics developed by the individual are a product of both the movements of the hand, which writes and the mind which directs the writing.

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Characteristics

Refer to the significant peculiarities found in the writing as expressed by the style, movement, pressure, direction, angle, curve and any other minor features of the writing habit of the individual.

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Phases of a Scientific Handwriting Examination

1.

Recognition Correct interpretation Complete comparison of the elements Complete comparison of the characteristics Complete comparison of the qualities of handwriting 3030

1.

1.

1.

1.

Element - refers more to the separate physical parts of a thing - is also an appropriate description term, which is preferable to quality in some connections. Quality - more general term than the word element - refers to an extended or pervasive data 3131

Characteristics Underlying Handwriting Identification

I. Form - it is a shape of the individual letters - every letter is distinguishable because it has a different form made up of a different constituent a. Analysis of form steps: 1. to dissect normal forms of individual letters into their components and to describe and name each salient feature practical.
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2. to analyze the usual and unusual deviations from the normal forms

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b. Normal form and Deviates Normal form means the more or less perfectly executed letter - these are known as norm Deviates - any variance from the standards which may only be slight or quite pronounced

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c. Ovals in form - ovals have variety of form in different writing, same being more round than oval and others much narrower than the normal . They maybe close or open. The beginning of the stroke forming the oval maybe above or below the end, or they may intersect.
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ROUND OVAL
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NARROW AND ELONGATED OVAL

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OPEN OVAL
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EYELET AT BEGINNING AND END OF OVAL

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d. Foot in forms - foot is the part of a down stroke which results on the base line or near it and the toe or terminal is the end of the final stroke. - When the terminal stroke is connected with the following letter, it is then known as a link or connecting stroke 3 2

3
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e. Tick in forms - tick is a short section of a straight stroke usually located at the beginning or ending of a stroke. - it is usually ornamental only and is seldom essential to eligibility. 1

3
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2 1
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f. Junction and forms - Junction means the meeting of two lines , which do not cross. When the lines cross each other, it is known as an intersection

6 2 3 5
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2 3 4 1 5 6

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g. Similarities of form - similarities of form are not indicative of identity unless they concern unusual form or deviation from the normal. Similarities are found to occur in different writings, but such similarities exist only in letters which are normal in form. These deviation, which are found to be habitual are given the greatest weight. The pattern of letters has three dimensions: width, depth, and height.
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h. Initial or approach on form - the initial or approach stroke is found to be individual. The direction of the motion, the relative position of the beginning and its height above the writing line serve to characterize and individual handwriting.

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Muscular Habits

The habit of writing may be defined as a tendency or inclination to do a thing in a certain manner which is acquired by doing it frequently. A single act will not constitute a habit, as such would be only an occurrence in making a letter or word with the pen or pencil.

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Kinds of Muscle Involved in Movements

Extensor muscle - muscles involved in the upward movement of fingers and these extensor muscles are used to open the fingers out straight

Flexor muscle - the muscles that close fingers against the palm

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Skill
A.Skill in the art of writing is contingent upon may factors: 1. manual dexterity, inherent or acquired 2. legibility and symmetry, the bases upon which the skill or pictorial aspect is judged.
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B. Classification of Skill 1. poor skill reveals lack of both legibility and symmetry, or one of the features 2. good skills shows possession or high degree of both features 3. medium skill is the classification when the writing does not fall into the poor or good class.

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Instrument

means the typical fountain pen, ball point pen or pencil used in executing the writing. What is typical fountain pen design? - we think of the writing and of a pen as a single fine point. In reality there are two points known as nibs which separate slightly under pressure, depositing a thin film of ink on the paper between the nib tracks.
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A.

B. Identifying the work of a fountain pen? The work of a particular pen is identified through the:
1.

Width of the stroke, whether narrow or minimum or average in stroke Stiffness or elasticity of the pen, as shown by contrast of strokes, depth of nib furrows or embossing on back of sheet.
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1.

3. smoothness, roughness character of the stroke

or

broken

4. Presence of apparent shading on strokes at right angles to the width of the penpoint, especially at the top of letters where stroked to the left are apparently shaded. 5. Failure of the pen to write due to defect of the pen rather than the ink, sometimes is the result of fountain pens or pens with uneven or broken nibs.
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Line Quality

It is the term used to described the relative smoothness of a line Handwriting is described good in line quality when the writer is concentrating his attention on what he is writing rather than on how the pen point is moving. To produce and writing of good quality, the pen must be largely controlled by reflex movements of the muscles of the 5656 hand and arm

Tremor in Writing

Indicated by an involuntary, rhythmic and recurrent movement of the pen These tremulous strokes are instant changes from the desired direction of the pen line and are attributed to nervous impulses affecting the muscles. The character of the tremor may not be noticeable in casual observation, but when shown, it often has a value 5757 sufficient importance to be a factor in the

Characteristics of Tremor of Fraud

1.

Inequality in movement at any pace in any stroke or line Strokes too strong combined with weak and vigorous

1.

1.

With hesitation strokes, abrupt and zigzag or changing direction of the lines

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4. Frequent interruptions in movement 5. Unequal distribution of ink on upward as well as downward stroke 6. Varying pen pressure due to change in speed and interruption in movement 7. Strongly imitated first and capital letters of the original signature characterized by firm lines and modified small letters with less tremors.
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Characteristics of Tremor of Age

1.

Unusual and erratic departures of the line from its intended course Abrupt recovery and a general indication of muscular weakness Movements beyond the control of the writer particularly in the downward strokes
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4. Very uneven alignment 5. Occasional careless, unconscious strokes 6. Too many or too few tremors or tremors on wrong portion of the letters.

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Characteristics Tremor of Illiterate and Uneducated Individuals

1.

More varied pen strokes caused by the uncertainty, hesitation and unfamiliar its in the formation of the letters and the process of writing Lines with sufficient strength but without order or rhythm showing lack of control

1.

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3. Absence of definite style of writing resulting from the writers limited experience with pen and pencil, and lack of knowledge of the size and proportions of the letters of his signatures 4. Strong lines of the illiterate as writer can be distinguished from the lines of the educated writer which are usually lighter, more weaker and finer.

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Pathological Tremor

Pathological tremors which result in a convulsive manner of writing are independent of the will and are, thus, beyond the writers control. These tremors are rhythmic to and fro movements that are practically impossible to imitate with the same writing speed and pen pressure

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Shading

Shading in writing is the widening of the line by the application of pressure to add color to the writing

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Retrace

It is the superimpose of line in the letter This writing characteristics can be found on staffs of small d, p, t are normally for a considerable distance. Retrace is influences by a slant, pen position and more particularly by movement
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Straight Lines

Line is a row characteristics

written

or

printed

It is also a mark that form part of the formal design In handwriting, it refers to a long narrow mark written or retraced on a paper or surface
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Curves

All writing is made up of straight lines and curves with their junctions angles, retraces and sometimes eyelets It is through the combination of two or more of these fundamental strokes that writing is constructed. Two curves put together in one way form a circle. Certain letters, particularly those with loops also use curves.
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Variations

Variations in handwriting are the peculiarities in letter formations resulting directly from force of habit or from some definite cause at the time of the writing These variations in writing are actually partial changes, alteration, departures and modifications in the formation of the alphabetical characteristics.

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Causes of Variations

The mental and physical condition of the individual Modifications in alphabetical formations produced under nervous conditions The position at the time of writing or the kind of instrument used causes variations

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The time and place The habit of writing on a line which is of great assistance to some persons Imperfect eyesight, inferior light at the moment of writing and writing without glasses when accustomed to their use. Too high or too low a table and the stiffness or the flexibility of the pen use The kind of ink, the of paper, plain or ruled, or annoyance at the moment7171 of

Letter Connections

Connection means the stroke or links which connect a letter with the following letters Letter connections essential expression pattern determines the of the writing

It is the mean indicator neuromuscular function

of

the
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Types of Connections
1. Arcade - a rounded stroke shape like an arc. - it is a slow mode of connections resulting from controlled movements 2. Garland - links the downward stroke to the upstroke with flowing curve swinging from left to right
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3. Angular Connective Form - a connection in which the downward stroke and upward stroke meet directly - these are continuity of movement characterized by an abrupt stop and start each turning point 4. Threadlike connective form - results when the joining of downward and upward strokes is slurred to a threadlike tracing or when rounded turns used at both top and bottom produce a double curve.
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Spacing

Observation of the general spacing of the writing on page should be made and the width of margins determined. Paragraph indentations should be measured as well as both the space between the lines and the space between individual stroke formation

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Terminal Strokes

Refers to the manner in which individual letters and words end

an

Perhaps , the most inconspicuous characteristics and the most difficult for the forger to duplicated are found in the initial and final strokes of an handwriting. A systematic comparison of each of these stroke will give the examiner revealing evidence.
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Forms of Terminals

Terminals may be: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. straight terminals curved up or down terminal rarely terminal spiraled terminal hooked terminal

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Inclinations of Terminal
1.

Terminals maybe upward Terminals may be horizontal Terminals maybe downward Terminals maybe below the writing lines

1.

1.

1.

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Stroke

It is the path traced by the pen on a paper The pen stroke is the visual record of the writing movement It is important to observe whether the course of the stroke is continuous or broken
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Qualities of the Stroke

Expansion refers to the movement, whether extended or limited in its range with respect to both vertical and horizontal dimensions Coordination the flow of movement, whether controlled or uncertain, smooth or jerky, continuous or interrupted Speed means the movement, whether rapid of slow and whether the space is 8080 steady or variable

Pressure defined as the force exerted or applied in the movement , whether heavy or light, flexible or rigid Direction is the left and rightward trend of the movement and its upward and downward reach Rhythm refers to the sequence of movements that weave the total pattern as certain phases recur at regular or less regular intervals
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Fundamental Strokes in Handwriting

In form a stroke may be straight or curve. It is classified according to direction in which they are written, a stroke maybe: a. left b. right c. down stroke d. upstroke

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Strokes may also be classified according to their position. If a stroke begins a letter or word, it is called the initial approach stroke while the stroke that ends a letter or a word is the terminal stroke

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Slant

It is the inclination of letters which may either be the right or left

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Alignment

It is the relaxation of a line or the words in a line, or the letters in a word to the base line. The term line of writing should be understood as the imaginary line to which the general trend of a handwriting conforms, so that it will be correct to speak of the line of writing even when the paper is unrolled.
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Good and Faulty Alignment

Good alignment obtained by a forearm movement in which the elbow joint is used as the center or pivot of lateral action and is held right angles to the line of writing. Faulty alignment is a characteristics of unskilled writing, and other things being equal, will be found more often in finger movement than in forearm movement
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Arrangement

It refers to the way in which written matters are put in order on the page Every person possesses distinct habits in writing arrangement. Thus, these habits are vital clues in identifying writer

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Varied Causes of Writing Habits Arrangement

The direct outgrowth of definite teaching The result of unconscious imitation Due to some circumstances accident condition or

The expression of certain mental and physical traits of the writer as affected by education, by environment and by occupation 8888

Classification of Writing Instrument

1.

The general placing of writing on a sheet or page and its artistic and balance arrangement of parts or its unbalanced and inartistic appearance The wide narrow, mixed or uniform spacing between lines, between words, between separate capitals, between capitals and small letters in the same words
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1.

3. Placing or locating of words with reference to an imaginary or actual baseline, i.e, on the line above the line, below the line, or partly above or partly below 4. Presence or absence of character and uniformity of margins at left, right, top and at bottom of the sheet
5.

Position of signature in relation to the writing it follows

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6. horizontal, uphill, downhill, curved or mixed direction of alignment of signature on line of writing 7. Parallelism and width of space between lines of writing or envelop addresses or an unruled paper 8. Arrangement of headings, introductions and conclusions of letters and their relation to each other and to the body of the writing

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9. Paragraph and its frequency or its omission and the average depth of indention at beginning of paragraphs 10. Arrangement abbreviations of figures and

11. Interlineations and position and frequency

their

character,

12. Envelop addresses and their size, style, position and arrangement
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13. Connections or unbroken pen lines between words 14. Number of words to a line 15. Location of punctuation marks in relation to the base line 16. Underscoring and its location, frequency and emphasis

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Punctuation

It is a small mark, which by virtue of their inconspicuous are all the more valuable as identifying features.

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Variety of Form of Period

1. When the pen is applied to the paper without pressure, the period maybe: a. a mere dot b. circular c. slightly elongated

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2. The spreading of the two nibs when pressured may result in a heart-shaped of triangular shaped, with point or up down, or it may assume the form of a comma with tail up or down. 3. In the matter of placement, it may be too far or too close to the letter it follows. 4. With relation to the base line, it maybe too high or two low.

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FORGED DOCUMENTS

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Tracing

Tracing is copying a writing done by following the lines of the original. The tracing of a signature can be accomplished only when the signature is available Forgeries made in this manner bear a close resemblance in form to the original signature.
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Simulation

This is the act of assuming the appearance and character of the original without reality. In this instance, a simulation is a copy or an imitation of the genuine signature which is capable of defrauding. The simulation or imitation will have a likeliness in appearance to the genuine signature but not its identical or exact 9999 character.

Naturally, a simulation of a signature will resemble the signature imitated. It may be an ordinary copy or one skillfully made for the purpose of having it accepted as the genuine signature, but its similarity or resemblance to the genuine signature is not the absolute measure of genuineness. The better the imitation, the greater the danger of deception and fraud.
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Classes of Forged Signatures

1.

Simulated Signature - it is the free hand writing in imitation of a model signature or a copy. -It is copying imitating another using the original as the model. a. Simulated signature with the model - simulating the model before him, the forger makes an effort to obtain a reproduction of the original document.
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He works slowly, stroke after stroke . Applying the direct technique, he works directly with ink. In the indirect technique, the forgery works with pencil and afterwards covers the pencil stroke with ink

b. Simulated Free Hand Forgery - this is used by forgers who have certain skill in writing. After some practice, the forger, tries to quickly write a copy of the model. 102

2. Traced Signature - this type of forged signature is a tracing of a genuine signature. a. Direct tracing. It is a copy made by transmitted light. That is with the genuine signature under the forged document and with a strong light shining through both papers. The visible outline is followed with a pen or pencil to create forgery.

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b. Indirect Tracing - the forger use a carbon paper and place the document on which on which he will trace the forged signatures under the document bearing the model signature with carbon paper between the two. - the pressure of this over-tracing against the carbon paper imprints the signature outline in carbon document - this type could be easily detected by a smattering of carbon remnants on the forged documents. 104

c. Indentation process - the document containing the model signature is placed on top of the forged document. - the forger traces with considerable pressure, over the genuine signature using a pencil, pen, stylus or similar instruments that create an indent signature outline on the document being forged. - later, this depression outline is overwritten using pencil, fountain pen or ball pen.
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3. Simple forgery - simple forgery is a kind of forged signature in which the writing writes something that resembles what is ordinary identified as a signature. - the forger does not copy a model; instead he uses a false name and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual style by adopting a camouflage called disguise. - in this case, the forger can be identified by comparing his original signatures and other writing to the disguise.
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1.

Indicators of Simulated and Traced Forgery Tremulous and broken connecting stroke between letters Absence of rhythm Carefulness deliberation or unusual care and

1.

1.

1.

Observed contrast between upward and downward strokes Slow writing

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1.

6. Blunt beginning and ending 7. Absence of spontaneity smoothness of letters or lack of

8. Restrained writing or lack of freedom or inhibited movements 9. Absence of variation

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a presence of defects in the signature.

Defects of Forged Signatures upon forged signature is based

the

these faults of forgery are determined through a study of the questioned signature and comparison of the various genuine signatures of the writer. a forged signature is apt to be deficient in form.

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Hesitation in Forged Signature movement Hesitation and slow writing

are other common defects of imitated forgeries

The finished signature is not necessarily made up entirely of strokes of this nature, but many forgeries contain recurring defects of this type. Hesitation normally occurs in those part of the signature where the forger encounters greatest difficulty in imitation. 110

GENUINENESS OF WRITING

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Genuine Signature

Are normally smoothly written and executed with at least, moderate speed containing an occasional uncertain stroke or signs of an occasional slow writing movement. Indications of genuineness are: carelessness, spontaneity, alteration of thick and thin strokes, speed, simplification, rhythm, good line quality and variation.
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When Forgery Established?

A forgery is established when it can be shown that the signature is unnatural either in the way that it is written or in its form. Most frequently, both types of faults are present. These defects result from someone trying to produce a signature which is completely unpracticed and which should be written in a different manner and with different habits than those of the forger. 113

Signature Written Under Abnormal Condition

Signatures written under abnormal condition such as when the writer is standing, reclining, riding or writing upon an uneven surface are not completely characteristics. The written document or signature is not his natural writing but that does not mean is signatures are not genuine; they are merely variable.

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Rhythm, A Factor of Identification in Forged and Genuine Signatures

Rhythm - is defined as a harmonious recurrence of stress or impulses motion, and handwriting can classified by the quality or the perfection of its rhythm. Rhythm is the result of impulses and is indicated by accentuation in mature writing. It is highly individualistic and a very important factor identification of genuine 115 writing.

This harmonious movement and accentuation of pen pressure occurs unconsciously, having a free and easy swing which is consistent and invariable in the genuine written signature. The exact character and quality of the rhythm are exceedingly difficult to reproduce. Inconsistency of rhythm is usually a token of forgery.
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Speed, A Factor in Identification of Questioned and Genuine Documents

Speed in writing is the rapidity in movement of the pen or pencil in the formation of the letters comprising words and sentences. The degree of speed used varies in writings which make it as an important factor in the examination of every questioned document. The speed in which an individual writers 117 is dependent upon his mental attitude,

Therefore the degree of speed used in writing is always found in the line quality of the writing. When a writing is applied to the pen in writing, the speed is decreased in proportion to the degree of pressure applied. The width of the writing line indicates the amount of pressure used. Tremor and broken lines seldom occur in speed writing unless the pen or pencil is
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Indications Of Speed Writing

Smooth, unbroken stroke and rounded forms Frequent signs or tendencies to the right Marked uncertainty as to the location of the dots of small letters I, j and crosses of small letter t connected with the following words. Increased spontaneity of words or small letter connected with the following words.
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Letters curtailed or degenerated almost illegibility toward the end of words Wide writing width letters greater that the connecting spaces adjoining it. Marked simplification of letters especially capital letters. Rising line Increased pen pressure Increased in the margin to the left at 120 the

Indications of Slow Writing

Wavering form and broken strokes Frequent signs or tendencies to the left Conspicuous certainty as to the location of the dots of small letters I, j, or t and crosses with scarcely perceptible deviation form intended direction. Frequent pauses, angles, divided letters and retouches
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Carefully execution of a detail of a letter, toward the end of words Narrow writing Absence of difference in emphasis in upstroke and down stroke Ornamental or flourishing connections Illegibility

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Characteristics of Genuine Signature Smooth quality line

Presence of vanishing and flying strokes Absence of retouching Absence of unnatural tremor Absence of pen stops and wrong places Illegibility
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Indications of Genuine Handwriting

Illegibility Freedom of movement or rhythm Smooth line quality Vanishing terminal strokes Misspelling

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Omission of strokes or simplification Carelessness Flying start and flying finish Ink failures Even pressures Speed
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Symptoms of Forgery

Impression found on the sides of impression strokes by the use of a side light when forgery is by tracing Appearance of unequal distribution of ink Appearance of temporary pen stop at wrong places as in the curve or in straight line as distinguished from that of a genuine signature where pen stop are irregular and usually found on the inks.
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Appearance of irregular tremor in the line of stroke The initial and the terminal showing stop ending which heavier pigment strokes appear

Appearance of retouching distinctive from the genuine retouching which is done carefully.

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Proof in Disputed Writing

Identity is proved when two handwriting contain a sufficient number of significant characteristics, qualities and elements so that it is unreasonable to say that they would all accidentally coincide in two different handwriting. Identity is not proved by the presence of only a few common or conventional forms.

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