GEMINI CRIMINOLOGY ONLINE REVIEW AND TRAINING CENTER

P E N E T E E A P Dr. MANUEL V JAUDIAN, LLB. PhD

ETEEAP DIRECTOR

NOTES COMPILED AND EDITED BY: PROF. HERMOGENES MALAGAMBA

QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

GENERAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. DOCUMENT. Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs either visible, partially

visible that may present or ultimately convey a meaning to someone, maybe in the form

of pencil, ink writing, typewriting, or printing on paper.

The term “document” applies to writings; to words printed, lithographed, or

photographed; to maps or plans; to seals, plates, or even stones on which inscriptions are

cut or engraved. In its plural form, “documents” may mean; deeds, agreements, title,

letters, receipts, and other written instruments used to prove a fact.

•••• Latin word “documentum”, means “lesson, or example (in Medieval Latin

“instruction, or official paper”), OR

•••• French word “docere”, means to teach.

B. QUESTIONED. Any material which some issue has been raised or which is under

scrutiny.

C. QUESTIONED DOCUMENT. One in which the facts appearing therein may not be true,

and are contested either in whole or part with respect to its authenticity, identity, or

origin. It may be a deed, contract, will, election ballots, marriage contract,

check, visas, application form, check writer, certificates, etc.

D. DISPUTED DOCUMENT. A term suggesting that there is an argument or controversy

over the document, and strictly speaking this is true meaning. In this text, as well as

through prior usage, however, “disputed document” and “questioned document” are

used interchangeably to signify a document that is under special scrutiny.

E. STANDARD a.k.a. STANDARD DOCUMENT - Are condensed and compact set of

authentic specimens which, if adequate and proper, should

contain a cross section of the material from a known source.

"Standard" in questioned documents investigation, we mean those things

whose origins are known and can be proven and which can be legally used as

examples to compare with other matters in question. Usually a standard consist of

the known handwriting of a person such case, "standard" has the same meaning as

is understood by the word "specimen" of handwriting.

F. EXEMPLAR. A term used by some document examiners and attorneys to characterize

known material. Standard is the older term.

G. HOLOGRAPHIC DOCUMENT. Any document completely written and signed by one

person; also known as a holograph. In a number of jurisdictions a holographic will can

be probated without anyone having witnessed its execution.

H. REFERENCE COLLECTION. Material compiled and organized by the document examiner

to assist him in answering special questions. Reference collections of typewriting, check

writing specimens, inks, pens, pencils, and papers are frequently maintained.

LEGAL ASPECT OF DOCUMENTS

A. LEGAL BASIS OF DOCUMENTS:

1. In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA, 338 O.G. 119: any written document by which a

right is established or an obligation is extinguished.

2. In the case of People vs. Nillosquin, CA, 48 O.G. 4453: every deed or instrument

executed by person by which some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or

setforth.

3. In relation to Criminal Jurisprudence under the Best Evidence rule: any physical

embodiment of information or ideas; e.g. a letter, a contract, a receipt, a book of

account, a blur print, or an X-ray plate (Black’s Law Dictionary).

B. KINDS OF DOCUMENT:

1. PUBLIC DOCUMENT - notarized by a notary public or competent public official with

solemnities required by law.(Cacnio vs. Baens, 5 Phil. 742)

2. OFFICIAL DOCUMENT - issued by the government or its agents or its officers having the

authority to do so and the offices, which in accordance with their creation, they are

authorized to issue and be issued in the performance of their duties.

3. PRIVATE DOCUMENT -executed by a private person without the intervention of a

notary public or of any person legally authorized, by which documents,

some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth (US vs Orera, 11 Phil.

596).

4. COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT - executed in accordance with the Code of Commerce or any

Mercantile Law, containing disposition of commercial rights or obligations.

WRITINGS WHICH DO NOT CONSTITUTE DOCUMENTS - based on some Supreme Court Rulings.

1. A draft of a Municipal payroll which is not yet approved by the proper authority (People

vs. Camacho, 44 Phil. 484).

2. Mere blank forms of official documents, the spaces of which are not filled up (People vs.

Santiago, CA, 48 O.G. 4558).

3. Pamphlets or books which do not evidence any disposition or agreement are not

documents but are mere merchandise (People vs. Agnis, 47 Phil. 945).

CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

1. Documents with questioned signatures.

2. Questioned documents alleged to have been containing fraudulent alterations.

3. Questioned or disputed holographic wills.

a. HOLOGRAPHIC WILL - will entirely written in the handwriting of the testator

b. NOTARIAL WILL - signed by the testator acknowledge before a notary public with 3

witnesses.

4. Documents investigated on the question of typewriting.

a. with a view of ascertaining their source

b. with a view of ascertaining their date

c. with a view of determining whether or not they contain fraudulent alterations or

substituted pages.

5. Questioned documents on issues of their age or date.

6. Questioned documents on issues of materials used in their production.

7. Documents or writings investigated because it is alleged that they identify some persons

through handwriting.

a. anonymous and disputed letters, and

b. Superscriptions, registrations and miscellaneous writings.

DOCUMENT AND QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

ADDITION - Any matter made a part of the document after its original preparation may be

referred to as addition.

CONCLUSION - A scientific conclusion results form relating observed facts by logical,

common-sense reasoning in accordance with established rules or laws. The document

examiner's conclusion, in legal term is referred to as "opinion".

DOCUMENT EXAMINER. One who studies scientifically the details and elements of

documents in order to identify their source or to discover other facts concerning them.

Document examiners are often referred to as handwriting identification experts, but today

the work has outgrown this latter title and involves other problems than merely the

examination of handwriting.

ERASURE - The removal of writings, typewriting or printing, from a document is an erasure. It

maybe accomplished by either of two means. A chemical eradication in which the writing is

removed or bleached by chemical agents (e.g. liquid ink eradicator); and an abrasive erasure

is where the writing is effaced by rubbing with a rubber eraser or scratching out with a knife

or other sharp with implement.

EXAMINATION - It is the act of making a close and critical study of any material and with

questioned documents, it is the process necessary to discover the facts about them. Various

types are undertaken, including microscopic, visual photographic, chemical, ultra violet and

infra-red examination.

EXPERT WITNESS. A legal term used to describe a witness who by reason of his special

training or experience is permitted to express an opinion regarding the issue, or a certain

aspect of the issue, which is involved in a court action. His purpose is to interpret technical

information in his particular specialty in order to assist the court in administering justice. The

document examiner testifies in court as an expert witness.

INSERTION OR INTERLINEATION - The term "insertion" and "interlineations" include the

addition of writing and other material between lines or paragraphs or the addition of

whole page to a document.

NON-IDENTITIFICATION (Non-identity) – as used in this text it means that the source or

authorship of the compared questioned and standard specimens is different.

OBLITERATION - the blotting out or shearing over the writing to make the original invisible to

as an addition.

OPINION. In legal language, it refers to the document Examiner's conclusion. Actually in

Court, he not only expresses an opinion but demonstrates the reasons for arriving at his

opinion. Throughout this text, opinion and conclusion are used synonymously.

QUALIFICATION. The professional experience, education, and ability of a document

examiner. Before he is permitted to testify as an expert witness, the court must rule that he

is qualified in his field.

DIVISIONS OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

A. Criminalistics Examination. This involves the detection of forgery, erasure, alteration or

obliteration of documents.

Dr. Wilson Harrison, a noted British Examiner of questioned documents said that an

intelligent police investigator can detect almost 75% of all forgeries by careful inspection

of a document with simple magnifiers and measuring tools.

B. Handwriting Investigation/Analysis. This is more focused in determining the author of

writing. It is more difficult procedure and requires long study and experience.

FORMS/ASPECTS (SUBJECTS) OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

A. Handwriting Examination (Graphology/Graphoanalysis)

1. examination of signatures and initials

2. examination of anonymous letters

3. hand printing examination

B. Examination of Typewritings and typeprints.

C. Examination of Inks

D. Examination of Erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc.

1. Detection of alteration

2. Decipherment of erased writings

3. Restoration of obliterated writings

E. Counterfeiting

1. Examination of currency bills and coins and the like.

2. Examination of fake documents

F. Miscellaneous aspects

1. Determination of age of documents

2. Identification of stamps

3. Examinations of seal and other authenticating devices

SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

A. Analysis (Recognition) - properties or characteristics, observed or measured.

B. Comparison - Properties or characteristics of the unknown

determined thought analysis are now compared with the familiar or recorded

properties of known items.

C. Evaluation- Similarities or dissimilarities in properties or characteristics will each have a

certain value for identification, determined by its likelihood of occurrence. The weight or

significance of each must therefore be considered.

The criteria of scientific examination of documents are:

A. Accuracy – correspondence between results obtained and the truth.

A. Precision – measure of the consistency of results obtained in repeated study or

experimentation.

B. Who Conducts the Preliminary Examination? – It should be conducted by a QUESTIONED

DOCUMENT EXPERT.

C. Who is a Questioned Document Expert? A Questioned Document Expert is one who has:

1. Attained the appropriate education and training;

2. Sufficient knowledge on the technical, scientific, and legal aspects of document

examinations; and

3. A broad experience in handling questioned document cases.

D. REASONS FOR UTILIZING A QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXPERT:

1. Assurance of preparedness;

2. Trial fiscal or judges are infrequently confronted with document cases; consequently,

they do not possess the knowledge of the documents expert's ability of the

various methods that exist for determining forgeries.

3. Avoidance of an “OFF-HAND” opinion.

E. What is an “OFF-HAND OPINION”? Off-hand opinion is usually a conclusion that is not

based on thorough scientific examination.

F. THE DANGER OF OFF-HAND OPINIONS - It has happened in some cases that an off-hand

opinion, has sent an innocent man to prison, while a murderer was given a chance to

escape.

INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS USED IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATIONS

A. MAGNIFYING LENS – Bank personnel and other people involved in currency examinations

usually use and ordinary hand-lens; the maximum diameter of which is four inches, and

this appears big with its wide frame it has a magnifying power of two times the original

only. Magnifying lenses of five times or more magnifying power, with built-in-lighting are

more useful.

B. SHADOWGRAPH – a pictorial image formed by casting a shadow, usually of the hands,

upon a rightful surface or screen.

C. STEREOSCOPIC BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE – a tri-dimensional (3D) enlargement is

possible.

D. MEASURES AND TEST PLATES (TRANSPARENT GLASS) – those used for signatures and

typewritings.

E. TABLE LAMPS WITH ADJUSTABLE SHADES (Goose Neck Lamps) – used for controlled

illumination; needed in sidelight examination wherein light is placed at a low-angle in a

position oblique to plane or document.

F. TRANSMITTED LIGHT GADGET – a device where light comes from beneath or behind glass

on document is placed.

G. ULTRA VIOLET LAMP – this is usually used in the detection of counterfeited bills but can

actually be used to detect security features of qualified documents.

H. INFRARED VIEWER – primarily used to decipher writings in a charred document.

I. COMPARISON MICROSCOPE – similar to that of the bullet comparison microscope.

TECHNIQUES IN THE EXAMINATION OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

A. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION - Any examination or study which is made with the

microscope in order to discover minute physical details. Stereoscopic examination with

low and high power objectives is used to detect retouching, patching and unnatural pen-

lift in signature analysis. With proper angle and intensity or illumination, it aids in

the decipherment of erasures, some minute manipulations not perfectly pictured to the

unaided eye and the sequence of entries done by different writing instruments.

B. TRANSMITTED LIGHT EXAMINATION – In this examination, the document is viewed with

the source of illumination behind it and the light passing through the paper. Documents

are subjected to this type of examination to determine the presence of erasures,

matching of serrations and some other types of alterations.

C. OBLIQUE LIGHT EXAMINATION - An examination with the illumination so controlled that

it grazes or strikes the surface of the document from one side at a very low angle.

Decipherment of faded handwriting, determination of outlines in traced forgery,

embossed impressions, etc. are subjected to this type of examination.

D. PHOTOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION - This type of examination is very essential in every

document examination. Actual observations are recorded in the photographs.

E. ULTRA-VIOLET EXAMINATION - Ultraviolet radiation is invisible and occurs in the wave

lengths just below the visible blue-violet end of the spectrum (rainbow). These visible

rays react on some substances so that visible light is reflected, a phenomenon known as

FLOURESCENCE. This type of examination is done in a darkroom after the lamp has been

warmed up in order to give a maximum output of the ultra-violet light. Exposure to the

ultra-violet light should be to the minimum duration in order to avoid fading of some

writing ink and typewriter ribbon.

F. INFRARED EXAMINATION - This examination of documents employs invisible radiation

beyond the red portion of the visible spectrum (rainbow) which is usually recorded on a

specially sensitized photographic emulsion.

MISCELLANEOUS EXAMINATIONS

A. ERASURES - One of the common inquiries in questioned document is whether or not an

erasure was actually made on a document. In cases like this, the following examinations

are made:

1. Physical inspection: using ultraviolet light, observation with light striking the surface at

a sharp angle, and observation under the microscope maybe considered.

2. Fuming with iodine may cause an almost negligible stain, but in most instances not the

slightest semblance of a stain remains.

B. INDENTED WRITING - Indented writing is a term usually applied to the partially visible

depressions appearing on a sheet of paper underneath the one on which the visible

writing appears. These depressions or indentation are due to the application of pressure

on the writing instrument and would appear as a carbon copy if a sheet of carbon paper

had been properly inserted. Indentation may also appear on a blank sheet of paper if

such is used as a backing sheet while typing out a message on a typewriter. Methods of

examination are:

1. Physical methods maybe used by passing a strong beam of nearly parallel light almost

horizontally over the surface of the paper.

2. Fuming the document maybe of values in some cases.

3. Powders of various kinds maybe used without changing the document.

C. BURNED OR CHARRED PAPER - A piece of paper maybe subjected to the action of a

limited amount of heat, causing it to become scorched and retaining a certain amount of

its identity or it maybe subjected to intense heat, reducing it to ashes and losing its

identity. However, if the combustion is incomplete, a certain amount of success maybe

realized provided the pieces are large enough to form a coherent message.

The following methods maybe applied to decipher the original message contained

thereon:

1. Photographic methods, using various types of filters and different angles of

illumination may determine the writing contained thereon without changing the

appearance of the charred fragments.

2. Chemical methods, such as spraying, painting, or bathing charred pieces with solutions

of different chemical reagents.

3. Photographic plates maybe utilized by allowing the charred paper to remain in contact

with the emulsion sides in total darkness from one to two weeks.

D. ADDING MACHINES - The construction of an adding machine differs greatly from the

typewriter but the methods and principles of identification are related.

Manufacturers use different types of numerals and from time to time change their

design. The spacing between columns is also not standardized for all machines. Those factors

form the basis of determining the make of the machine and for estimating the period in which

it was built. Another kind of approach is the ribbon impression, for the ribbon is made and

operates very similarly to the typewriter.

HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION

HANDWRITING - It is the result of a very complicated series of facts, being used as

whole, combination of certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by long,

continued painstaking effort. Some defined handwriting as “visible speech.”

I. KINDS OF WRITINGS:

A. Cursive – connected; writing in which one letter is joined to the next.

B. Script – separated or printed writing.

C. BLOCK – all CAPITAL LETTERS.

II. BASIS OF HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

A. In Wignore's Principles of judicial Proof, handwriting is defined as a visible effect of bodily

movement which is an almost unconscious expression of fixed muscular habits, reacting

from fixed mental impression of certain ideas associated with script form.

B. Environment, education and occupation affect individuals so variously in the formation of

these muscular habits that finally the act of writing becomes an almost automatic

succession of acts stimulated by these habits.

C. The imitation of the style of writing by another person becomes difficult because the

other person cannot by mere will power reproduce in himself all the muscular

combination from the habit of the first writer.

Two Groups of Muscles Involve in Handwriting:

1. extensor muscles - push up the pen to form the upward strokes

2. flex muscles which push the pen to from the downward strokes.

TERMINOLOGIES RELATED TO HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATIONS

ALIGNMENT - Is the relation of parts of the whole of writing or line of individual letters in

words to the baseline. It is the alignment of words or the relative alignment of letters.

ANGULAR FORMS – Sharp, straight strokes that are made by stopping the pen and changing

direction before continuing.

ARCADE FORMS – Forms that look like arches rounded on the top and open at the bottom.

CHARACTERISTICS - any property or mark which distinguishes and in document examination

commonly called to as the identifying details.

COLLATION - side by side comparison; collation as used in this text means the critical

comparison on side by side examination.

COMPARISON - the act of setting two or more items side by side to weigh their identifying

qualities; it refers not only a visual but also the mental act in which the element of one item

are related to the counterparts of the other.

DISGUISED WRITING - A writer may deliberately try to alter his usual writing habits in hopes

of hiding his identity. The results, regardless of their effectiveness are termed disguised

writing.

DOWNSTROKE – The movement of the pen toward the writer.

FORM – The writer’s chosen writing style. The way the writing looks, whether it is

copybook, elaborated, simplified or printed.

GARLAND FORMS – A cup-like connected form that is open at the top and rounded on the

bottom.

GESTALT – The German word that means “complete” or “whole”. A good gestalt needs

nothing added or taken away to make it “look right”. Also a school of handwriting analysis

that looks at handwriting as a whole picture.

GRAPHOANALYSIS - the study of handwriting based on the two fundamental strokes, the

curve and the straight strokes.

GRAPHOMETRY - analysis by comparison and measurement.

GRAPHOLOGY - the art of determining character disposition and amplitude of a person

from the study of handwriting. It also means the scientific study and analysis of

handwriting, especially with reference to forgeries and questioned documents.

HANDLETTERING. Any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is written

separately; also called handprinting.

LETTER SPACE – The amount of space left between letters.

LINE DIRECTION – Movement of the baseline. May slant up, down, or straight across the

page.

LINE QUALITY - the overall character of the ink lines from the beginning to the ending

strokes. There are two classes: Good Line quality and Poor Line quality. The visible records

in the written stroke of the basic movements and manner of holding the writing instrument

is characterized by the term "line quality". It is derived from a combination of actors

including writing skill, speed rhythm, freedom of movements, shading and pen position.

LINE SPACE – The amount of space left between lines.

MANUSCRIPT WRITING. A disconnected form of script or semi-script writing. This type of

writing is taught in young children in elementary schools as the first step in learning to

write.

MARGINS – The amount of space left around the writing on all four sides.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION - Any study or examination which is made with the

microscope in other to discover minute details.

MOVEMENT – It is an important element in handwriting. It embraces all the factors which

are related to the motion of the writing instrument skill, speed freedom, hesitation, rhythm,

emphasis, tremors and the like. The manner in which the writing instrument is move that is

by finger, hand, forearm or whole arm.

NATURAL WRITING - Any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt to

control or alter its identifying habits and its usual quality or execution.

NATURAL VARIATION - These are normal or usual deviations found between repeated

specimens of any individual handwriting.

PEN EMPHASIS - The act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper

surfaces. When the pen-point has flexibility, this emphasis produces shading, but with

more rigid writing points heavy point emphasis can occur in writing w/out any evidence

of shading; the act intermittently forcing the pen against the paper with increase pressure.

PEN HOLD – The place where the writer grasps the barrel of the pen and the angle at which

he holds it.

PEN POSITION - relationship between the pen point and the paper.

PEN PRESSURE - the average force with which the pen contacts the paper. Pen pressure as

opposed to pen emphasis deals with the usual of average force involved in the writing

rather than the period increases.

PRINTSCRIPT – A creative combination of printing and cursive writing.

PROPORTION or RATIO - the relation between the tall and the short letter is referred as to

the ratio of writing.

QUALITY. A distinct or peculiar character. Also, “quality” is used in describing handwriting

to refer to any identifying factor that is related to the writing movement itself.

RHYTHM – The element of the writing movement which is marked by regular or periodic

recurrences. It may be classed as smooth, intermittent, or jerky in its quality; the flourishing

succession of motion which are recorded in a written record. Periodicity, alternation of

movement.

SHADING - Is the widening of the ink strokes due to the added pressure on a flexible pen

point or to the use of a stub pen.

SIGNIFCANT WRITING HABIT – Any characteristic of handwriting that is sufficiently

uncommon and well fixed to serve as a fundamental point in the identification.

SIMPLIFICATION – Eliminating extra or superfluous strokes from the copybook model.

SIZE – May refer to the overall size of the writing or the proportions between zones.

SKILL - In any set there are relative degrees or ability or skill and a specimen of handwriting

usually contains evidence of the writer's proficiency; degree, ability, or skill of a write

proficiency.

SLOPE/SLANT - the angle or inclination of the axis of the letters relative to the baseline.

There are three classes: Slant to the left; Slant to the right; and Vertical Slant.

SPEED OF WRITING - The personal pace at which the writer’s pen moves across the paper.

SPEED (SPEEDY) WRITING - Not everyone writes at the same rate so that consideration of

the speed of writing may be a significant identifying element. Writing speed cannot be

measured precisely from the finished handwriting but can be interpreted in broad terms of

slow, moderate, or rapid.

SYSTEM (OF WRITING) - The combination of the basic design of letters and the writing

movement as taught in school make up the writing system. Writing through use

diverges from the system, but generally retains some influence of the basic training.

TENSION – The degree of force exerted on the pen compared to the degree of relaxation.

THREADY FORM – An indefinite connective form that looks flat and wavy.

VARIABILITY – The degree to which the writing varies from the copybook model.

VARIATION – The act or process of changing.

WORD SPACE – The amount of space left between words.

WRITING CONDITION – Both the circumstances under which the writing was prepared and

the factors influencing the writer’s ability to write at the time of execution. It includes the

writer’s position (sitting, standing, abed, etc.), the paper support and backing, and the

writing instrument; writing ability may be modified by the condition of the writer’s health,

nervous state, or degree of intoxication.

WRONG-HANDED WRITING. Any writing executed with the opposite hand that normally

used; a.k.a. as “with the awkward hand.” It is one means of disguise. Thus, the writing of a

right-handed person which has been executed with his left hand accounts for the common

terminology for this class of disguise as "left-hand writing".

WRITING IMPULSE – The result of the pen touching down on the paper and moving across

the page, until it is raised from the paper.

HANDWRITING STROKE

STROKE is a series of lines or curves written in a single letter; one of the lines of an

alphabet or series of lines or curves within a single letter; the path traced by the pen on the

paper.

1. ARC – a curved formed inside the top curve of loop as in small letters “h”, “m”, “n”, &

“p”.

2. ARCH - any arcade form in the body of a letter found in small letters which contain

arches.

3. ASCENDER - is the top portion of a letter or upper loop.

4. BASELINE - maybe actually on a ruled paper, it might be imaginary alignment of writing;

is the ruled or imaginary line upon which the writing rests.

5. BEADED - Preliminary embellished initial stroke which usually occurs in capital letters.

6. BEARD - is the rudimentary initial up stroke of a letter.

7. BLUNT - the beginning and ending stroke of a letter (without hesitation).

8. BODY - The main portion of the letter, minus the initial of strokes, terminal strokes and

the diacritic, of any. Ex: the oval of the letter "O" is the body, minus the downward

stroke and the loop.

9. BOWL - a fully rounded oval or circular form on a letter complete into "O".

10. BUCKLE/BUCKLEKNOT - A loop made as a flourished which is added to the letters, as in

small letter "k & b", or in capital letters "A", "K","P"; the horizontal end loop stroke that

are often used to complete a letter.

11. CACOGRAPHY - a bad writing.

12. CALLIGRAPHY - the art of beautiful writing.

13. DESCENDER - opposite of ascender, the lower portion of a letter.

14. DIACRITIC - "t" crossing and dots of the letter "i" and "j". The matters of the Indian

script are also known as diacritic signs; an element added to complete a certain letter,

either a cross bar or a dot.

15. ENDING/TERMINATE STROKE OF TOE - the end stroke of a letter.

16. EYE/EYELET/EYELOOP - a small loop or curved formed inside the letters. This may occur

inside the oval of the letters "a, d, o"; the small loop form by stroke that extend in

divergent direction as in small letters.

17. FOOT - lower part which rest on the base line. The small letter "m" has three feet, and

the small letter "n" has two feet.

18. HABITS - any repeated elements or details, which may serve to individualize writing.

19. HESITATION - the term applied to the irregular thickening of ink which is found when

writing slows down or stop while the pen take a stock of the position.

20. HIATUS/PEN JUMP - a gap occurring between a continuous stroke without lifting the

pen. Such as occurrence usually occurs due to speed; may be regarded also as a special

form of pen lift distinguish in a ball gaps in that of perceptible gaps and appear in the

writing.

21. HOOK - It is a minute curve or a ankle which often occurs at the end of the terminal

strokes. It also sometimes occurs at the beginning of an initial stroke. The terminal

curves of the letters "a", "d", "n", "m", "p", "u", is the hook. In small letter "w" the

initial curve is the hook; the minute involuntary talon like formation found at the

commencement of an initial up stroke or the end terminal stroke.

22. HUMP - Upper portion of its letter "m","n","h" ,"k" - the rounded outside of the top of

the bend stroke or curve in small letter.

23. KNOB -the extra deposit of ink in the initial and terminal stroke due to the slow

withdrawal of the pen from the paper (usually applicable to fountain pen).

24. LIGATURE/CONNECTION - The stroke which connects two stroke of letter; characterized

by connected stroke between letters.

25. LONG LETTER - those letters with both upper and lower loops.

26. LOOP - A oblong curve such as found on the small letter "f", "g", "l" and letters stroke

"f" has two. A loop may be blind or open. A blind loop is usually the result of the ink

having filled the open space.

27. MAJUSCULE - a capital letter.

28. MINUSCULE - a small letter.

29. MOVEMENT IMPULSES - this refer to the continuity of stroke, forged writing is usually

produced by disconnected and broken movements and more motion or

movement impulses than in genuine writing.

30. PATCHING - retouching or going back over a defective portion of a written stroke.

Careful patching is common defect on forgeries.

31. AIRSTROKE – The movement of the pen as it is raised from the paper and continues

in the same direction in the air.

32. COVERING STROKE – A stroke that unnecessarily covers another stroke in a

concealing action.

33. FINAL – The ending stroke on a letter when it is at the end of a word.

34. UPSTROKE – Movement of the pen away from the writer.

35. SEQUENCE OF STROKES - The order in which writing strokes are placed on the paper

is referred to as their sequence.

36. SUPPORTED STROKES – Upstrokes partially covering the previous down strokes.

Originally taught in European schools.

37. TRAIT STROKE – a school o handwriting analysis that assigns personality trait

manners to individual writing strokes.

QUALITIES OF THE STROKES

1. Expansion - whether the movement is extended or limited in its range with respect to

both vertical and horizontal dimension.

2. Co-ordination - whether the flow of movement is controlled or uncertain, smooth or

jerky, continuous or interrupted.

3. Speed - whether the movement has been rapid or slow and whether the pace has been

steady or variable.

4. Pressure- whether the pressure exerted in the movement and its upward and

downward reach.

5. Direction- Left ward and right ward trend of they movement and its upward and

downward reach.

6. Rhythm - in the sequence of movements that weave the total pattern, certain similar

phases recur at more or less regular intervals.

A. GENERAL(CLASS) CHARACTERISTICS - These characteristics refer to those

habits are part of basic writing system or which are modifications of the system of

writing found among so large a group of writes that have only slight identification value.

B. INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS - They are characteristics which are the result of the writer's

muscular control, coordination, age, health, and nervous temperament, frequency of

writing, personality and character. They are found in Writing movement, Form and design

of letters, Motor Coordination, Shading, Skill, Alignment, Pen pressure, Connection, Pen

hold, Rhythm, Disconnections or pen lifts between letters, Speed, Slant as a writing habit,

Proportion of letters as an individual characteristic or habit, Quality of stroke or line quality,

Variation and Muscular control or motor control -

a. Loose writing - this is characterized by too much freedom of movement and lack of

regulation. This is noticed especially in tall letters forms.

b. Restrained writing - there is lack of freedom and inhibited movements. It gives you

the impression that every stroke was made with great difficulty. This writing is

small. There is distortion of letter forms which may lead to illegibility.

STANDARDS OR EXEMPLARS

STANDARD - They are known writings, which indicate how a person writes. A writer

manifests fixed habits in his writings that identify him. This fact provides the basis for an

opinion of conclusion regarding any writing identification problem.

EXEMPLARS - Specimen of the writing of suspects are commonly known as exemplars. The

term standards is a general term referring to all authenticated writings of the suspects

while exemplars refers more especially to a specimens of standard writing offered in

evidence or obtained or request for comparison with the questioned writing.

SAMPLE - A selected representative portion of the whole is known as a sample. In this

text, the term "sample" follows closely the statistical usage.

TYPES OF HANDWRITING "STANDARDS"

1. Collected Standards are KNOWN (genuine) handwriting of an individual such

as signature and endorsements on canceled checks, legal papers letters, commercial,

official, public and private document and other handwriting such as letters,

memoranda, etc. Written in the course of daily life, both business and socials.

2. Request standards are signature or other handwritings (or hand printings) written by an

individual upon request for the purpose of comparison with other handwriting or for

specimen purposes.

3. Post Litem Motan Exemplars - writings produced by the subject after evidential writings

have come into dispute and solely for the purpose of establishing his contentions.

TYPES OF SIGNATURES

A. FORMAL (a.k.a. CONVENTIONAL or COPYBOOK FORM) - complete correct signature for

an important document such as will.

B. INFORMAL (CURSORY) - usually for routine documents and personal correspondence.

1. Personalized

2. Semi-personalized

C. CARELESS SCRIBBLE - for the mail carrier, delivery boy or the autograph collector.

FORGERY

Forgery is, strictly speaking, a legal term which involves not only a non-genuine

document but also and intent to fraud. However, it is also used synonymously with fraudulent

signature or spurious document.

CLASSES OF FORGED SIGNATURES (CATEGORIES OF FORGERY OF SIGNATURES)

A. SIMULATED OR FREEHAND IMITATION FORGERY – executed purely by simulation

rather than by tracing the outline of a genuine signature can be referred as freehand

imitation or simulated forgery. Or it refers to the free-hand drawing in imitation of model

signature.

1. SIMULATED WITH THE MODEL BEFORE THE FORGER

a. DIRECT TECHNIQUE - forger works directly with ink.

b. INDIRECT - forger works first with pencil and afterwards covers the pencil strokes

with ink.

2. SIMULATED FREE HAND FORGERY (TECHNIQUE) - used by forgers who have a certain

skill in writing? After some practice, the forger tries to write a copy of the model

quickly.

B. TRACED FORGERY (TRACED SIGNATURE)

1. DIRECT TRACING - tracing is made by transmitted light.

2. INDIRECT TRACING - forger uses a carbon paper and place document on which he will

trace the forged signature under the document bearing the model signature with a

carbon paper between the two.

The types of Traced Signatures are:

1. CARBON PROCESS

2. INDENTATION PROCESS

3. TRANSMITTED LIGHT PROCESS

C. SPURIOUS SIGNATURE (SIMPLE FORGERY) - Forger does not try to copy a model but

writes something resembling what we ordinarily call a signature. For this, he uses a false

(spurious) name and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual writing by adopting a

camouflage called disguise.

D. FORGERY BY MEANS OF A STAMPED FACSIMILE OF A GENUINE OR MODEL

E. FORGERY BY COMPUTER SCANNING

FORGERY, COUNTERFEITING AND FALSIFICATION

A. COUNTERFEITING - It is the crime of making, circulating or uttering false coins and

banknotes. Literally, it means to make a copy of; or imitate; to make a spurious

semblance of, as money or stamps, with the intent to deceive or defraud. Counterfeiting

is something made to imitate the real thing used for gain.

B. FALSIFICATION – The act/process of making the content/s of a document not the

intended content.

C. FORGERY – The act of falsely making or materially altering, with intent to defraud, any

writing which if genuine, might be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal liability.