COURSE MODULE TAGOLOAN Community College

MODULE WEEK NO.2

Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental

Tel.No. (08822)740-835/(088)5671-215

Department of Criminology
CRIMSTCS 105: Questioned Document Examination
Semester of A.Y. 2020-2021

Introduction

Questioned Document Examination is an interesting subject to learn, it deals with the corresponding issues about
how to scrutinize a document and distinguished them if it is a document to be questioned or not. There are so many
methods and tools to be used how to determine and classify the anomalies that may occur in a particular document.

Rationale

Questioned documents are any documents that may be used as evidence in a trial, ranging from
handwritten notes to counterfeit currency to contracts. This course is designed specifically to aid
lawyers involved in cases that involve questioned documents (QD) evidence. It explains the basics
of document examination and helps litigators improve the way they present document evidence
and question witnesses.

Intended Learning Outcomes

A. Apply knowledge essential to the conduct of criminological scrutiny over the suspected
handwritten notes or any forms of document or public instruments utilized for committing
fraudulent acts; and
B. Ensure proper reliability of conducting and detecting fraudulent documents that can be used
as evidence in a trial court.
Activity

Choose one (1) of the classes of questioned document that was most usually or famously utilized for
fraudulent activities and explain their cause and expected output of commission. (not less than 500 words)

Discussion

CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

1
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO.2

- Documents with questioned signatures, signatures are difficult to be altered especially when those
signatures have many strokes and any other pen lifts. If by any chance a perpetrator tries to copy or
alter a signature from a document, it will be subject for comparison for stroke specification.

- A document with alleged fraudulent alterations, “alteration” is defined as the change of text or any
symbols pertaining to the establishment of a document. If there is any suspected alteration made by a
perpetrator, just like, substituting a word for another is subject for direct examination.

- Holograph Documents, is a document written entirely in the handwriting of the person whose

signature it bears. One of the most important types of
such documents are holographic last wills.

- Documents questioned as to their age, it is a material factor to determine the age of a document of
when it was executed, to examine its origin and identification during examination.

- Documents involving type prints, to determine their reliability if it was executed legitimately or
imitated in a factual manner.

- Identifying Documents, may be used to prove a person's identity. If issued in a small, standard credit
card size form, it is usually called an identity card (IC, ID card, citizen card), or passport card. Some
countries issue formal identity documents, as national identification cards which may
be compulsory or non-compulsory, while others may require identity verification using regional
identification or informal documents.

- Genuine documents erroneously attacked or disputed, it is any document that was destroyed, burned
or torn into scratches, to determine their reliability and identity of a certain document.

Resources and Additional Resources

Jay Levinson, 2000, Questioned Documents 1st Edition

Additional Resources:

 Aquila Review Center Notes

 St. Louis Review Center Notes
 Students Compilation Notes of Questioned Document.