ARAULLO UNIVERSITYPhinma Education Network

CABANATUAN CITY

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

REVIEW QUESTIONAIRES IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTSPrepared By: Randy M. Maure

NOTES ON QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

The Role and Nature of Questioned Document in Police Work:

The document examiner has a dual objective. First, to discover the facts and second, to prove the facts. The document examiner who would truly serve the ends of justice must go to the witness stand fully prepared to support this conclusion with testimony that is factual, clearly understandable & persuasive. Expert testimony should be measured by its convingness.

With regard to handwriting, the document examiner should be furnished by police investigation only those writings which can be proved to the satisfaction of the court to be genuine writings.

The Examiner as a Part of the Investigative Team in Crime Detection and Investigation:

The field of questioned examination is one of the three “I’s” of the investigation of crime i.e. Instrumentation. Documents as evidence in various cases specifically forgeries and the like are submitted to the laboratory for the appropriate examination. Documents examiner who scientifully studies the elements, nature and composition of documents regards this field of expertise as one of the process of discovering and proving facts for promoting justice law enforcement. One of the necessary steps in the investigation is disputed documents is the accurate determination of what the fact really is taken then comes the task of proving the fact in court. The specialist or the document examiner will provide in the name of justice testimony that will emulate the necessary result of the examination. He should be accurate, fair and courageous. These three words are basically the traits of a law enforcer and on which the secure foundation of this profession is built. This profession has produced men have nationally and worldwide influenced for the better administration of justice. The outstanding reputation acquired for ability and honesty in a particular field has always carried over to and filtered through the thinking of those in related fields assisting them the better performance of their work.

Questioned Document:

One in which the facts appearing therein are not true, and are contested either in whole or in part with respect to its authenticity, identity, or origin. It may be a deed, contract, will, election ballots, marriage contract, checks, visas, application form, certificates, etc.

Document is questioned because its origins, its contents, or the circumstance and story regarding its production arouse suspicion as to its genuineness or it may adversely scrutinized simple because it displeases someone.

Document is said to be questioned when it is disputed or attacked, either in whole or in part as to its date or age, as to its source or origin, as to the material used in their production, and as to its relation in some other document.

Classes of Questioned Documents:

1. Documents with questioned signatures.2. Documents containing alleged 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 three witnesses

4. Documents investigated on the question of typewriting.a. with a view of ascertaining their sourceb. with a view of ascertaining their datec. with a view of determining whether or not they contain

fraudulent alterations or substituted pages5. Documents on issues of their age or date.6. 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, andb. superscriptions, registrations and miscellaneous writings

8. Genuine documents erroneously or fraudulently altered or disputed. Document:

Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs either visible, partially visible that may present or ultimately convey a meaning to someone. May be in the form of pencil, ink writing, typewriting, or printing on paper.

In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA, 338 O.G. 119, a document is any written document by which a right is established or an obligation is extinguished.

In the case of People vs. Nillosquin, CA, 48 O.G. 4453, a document is every deed or instrument executed by person by which some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth.

Kinds of Documents:

Under the Philippine Law, the following are the four kinds of documents:

1. Public Document – any instrument notarized by a notary public or competent public official with solemnities required by law. (Cacnio vs. Baens, 5 Phil. 742)

2. Official Document – any instrument 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 – every deed or instrument 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.

4. Commercial Document – any instrument executed in accordance with the Code of Commerce or any Mercantile Law, containing disposition of commercial rights or obligations.

Note:

A private document may become a public or official document when it partakes the nature of a public or official record. So if the falsification committed on such document, that is, when it is already a part of the public record, falsification of public or official document is committed. However, if such private document is intended to become a part of the public record, even though falsified prior thereto, falsification of a public document is committed.Standard Document:

Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimen which is adequate and proper, should contain a true correction of the material form a known source. They are used by the Document Examiner as the basis for his identification or non-identification of the questioned document as, for example, for the known handwriting which serves to establish who wrote the disputed letter.

Two Kinds of Standard Documents:

a. Procured or Collected – Those which are obtain from files of document executed in the persons day to day business, official, social or personal activities.

b. Requested – Those which are given or made upon the request of an investigator for purpose of making comparative examination with the request writing.

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 yet 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)

Subjects Considered in Questioned Document Exam:

1. Handwriting examinationa. examination of signatures and initialsb. examination of anonymous lettersc. hand printing examination

2. Typewriting examination3. Examination of inks4. Erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc.

5. Counterfeiting

DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

Objectives:

a. The objective is to furnish the investigator in the field with sufficient background information concerning document examination.

b. No attempt is made to provide detailed information sufficient to qualify the investigator as an expert document examiner.

Importance/Significance:

a. In the commission of a crime, the criminal often finds necessary to employ one or more documents in furtherance of his act.

b. In some crimes, such as forgery, the document is an integral part of the crime.

c. In others, such as false claims against government, documents often play an important part in proving the commission of the crime.

d. Proof of the fact that a document was altered or made by a particular individual may show that:

1. He committed the crime.2. He had knowledge of the crime.3. He was present in a certain locality at a specified time.

Evidence that a document was not made by an authorized individual or machine may prove it to be fraudulent. Latent fingerprints on documents are of great value to the investigator.

Purposes:

A document may be examined for a number of purposes including:

1. Identity of the author/maker/writer.2. True contents of the documents.3. Origin of the instrument or paper used in making the

documents.4. Alterations or erasures which have been made.5. Authenticity of the document.

Logical Process of Inquiry in Document Examination:

An aware document expert must know that the first step in making over a case to get the proper identification. The logical processes of inquiry are:

1. Ascertain the facts: to select “questioned”, “denied”, or “admitted”, “authentic”, and “doubtful” documents.

a. Concerning the document in questioned. Is only one signature is question? Is any part of the document is question? Is the date of the document in question? Is the paper or the typewriter used in the document in question?

b. Regarding the standards.

1. Make sure that there are sufficient numbers of authentic documents for comparison submitted. If there are inadequate standards, obtain more.

2. Determine whether the standards are authentic ones, on which a foundation can be built for admitting them in evidence.

2. Analyze the details: synthesize the elements, date, circumstances, conditions, technical problems and the like.

a. The examiner of the questioned documents, after ascertaining the facts, should have detailed information as to the circumstances of the document in questioned, the condition of an alleged writer, or of any condition that may have affected the writing or any facts that are part of the technical problem with the document that is submitted to the expert.

b. He should inquire about the circumstances and conditions as far as the client knows, such as, was the document signed sitting on the wall, on the lap, or lying in bed? Sitting in bed, lying on his back or side? For example a document could have been signed in a moving automobile or while having a drink at the bar.

3. Qualify the case:

How much time is needed for the examination? Is it possible to complete the study from the original papers, or is it necessary to make special photo-enlargements for proper examination? If it is possible to make arrangements with the client for photo-enlargement, is it advisable to do so? Photo-enlargements are always useful for demonstrating the reasons on which the opinion is based, especially in court.

Scientific Method in Questioned Document:

The document examiners strive constantly for objectives and the avoidance of personal bias. It orders knowledge, follows in logical sequences. It classifies knowledge as the only systematic means to its organization a deduction to matters of facts. It insists upon verification as the most reliable form of proof. It utilizes observation or experimentation designed expressly toward the control of variables. A scientific method therefore consists of the following processes:

1. Analysis – properties of characteristics observed or measured.2. Comparison – properties or characteristics of the unknown determined thought analysis are now compared with the familiar or recorded properties of known items.3. 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 principle of identification requires that when two items contain a combination of corresponding or similar and specifically oriented characteristics of such number and significance as to preclude the possibility of their occurrence by mere coincidence and there are no unaccounted for differences. It may be concluded that they are same in their characteristics attributed to the same cause. HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION

Definition of Terms:

Writing – It is the result of a very complicated series of acts, being used as whole, combination of certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by long, continued painstaking effort.

Handwriting – It is the visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost subconscious expression of fixed mental expression of certain ideas associated with script form.

Natural Handwriting – Any writing executed normally without any attempt to control or alter its identifying habits and its usual quality of execution.

Disguised Writing – A writer may deliberately try to alter his usual writing habits in hope of hiding his identity, writing skill is poorer, change in slant, size, altered or capital letters.

Stroke – 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.

Terminology Concerning Stroke characteristics:

Arc/Arch – a curved formed inside the top curve of loop, as in small letters “h”, ‘m”, “n”, “p”.

Ascender – is the top portion of a letter or upper loop.

Baseline – maybe actually on a ruled paper, it might be imaginary alignment of writing. Is the ruled or imaginary line upon which the writing rest.

Beaded – preliminary embellished initial stroke which usually occurs in capital letter.

Beard – is the rudimentary initial up stroke of a letter.

Blunt – the beginning and ending stroke of a letter. (without hesitation)

Body – the main portion of the letter, minus the initial of stroke. Terminal strokes and the diacritic of any. Example: the oval of the letter “O” is the body, minus the downward stroke and the loop.Bowl – a fully rounded oval or circular form on a letter complete into “O”.

Buckle/Buckle Knot – a loop made as a flourished which is added to the letters, as in small letter “k’ and “a” or in capital letters “A”, “K”, “P”. The horizontal end loop stroke that are often used to complete a letter.

Cacography – a bad writing

Calligraphy – the art of beautiful writing

Descender – opposite of ascender, the lower portion of a letter.

Diacritic – “t” crossing and dots of the letters “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.

Ending/Terminate Stroke of Toe – the end stroke of a letter.

Eye/Eyelet/Eye Loop – 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.

Foot – the lower parts which rest on the base line. The small letter “m” has three feet, and the small letter “n” has two feet.

Habits – any repeated elements or details, which may serve to individualize writing.

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.

Hiatus/Pen Jump – a gap occurring between continuous strokes without lifting the pen. Such as occurrence usually occurs due to speed.

Hook – it is a minute curve or an ankle which often occurs at the end of the terminal strokes. It is also sometimes occur at the beginning of an initial stroke. The terminal curves of the letters “a”, “d”, “n”, “m’, “p”, “u’, are 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.

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.

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)

Ligature/Connection – the strokes which connect two stroke of letter, characterized by connected stroke between letters.Long Letter – those letters with both upper and lower loops.

Loop – an oblong curve such as found on the small letters “f”, “go”, “l” and letters stroke “f” has two. A loop maybe blind or open. A blind loop is usually the result of the ink having filled the open space.

Majuscule – a capital letter

Minuscule – a small letter.

Movement Impulses – this refer to the continuity of stroke force writing is usually produce by disconnected and broken movements more motion or movement impulses than genuine writing.

Oval – the portion of the letter which is oval in shape. The small letter stroke “a” , “d” , “g” , and “q” contain oval letter “a” , “t” while coming down……….

Patching/Retouching – retouching or going back over a defective portion of a written stroke. Careful patching is common defect on forgeries.

Pen Lift – an interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing instrument from the paper. Disconnection between letters and letter combination maybe due to lack of movement control. Using a ball-point pen may cause pen lift due to the failure of the ball to rotate.Pen Position or Pen Hold – Is the relative location of the pen in relation to the paper surface which can be determined by the presence of the emphasis or pen shading.

Pen Scope – Represents the reach of the hand with the wrist at rest. It is the average scope or limits of the pen during the process of writing with the wrist of the hand at still.

Retrace/Retracing – any part of a stroke which is super imposed upon the original stroke. Is the stroke which goes back over other writing strokes; it is slightly to occur in others handwriting. Example: vertical strokes of the letter “d”, “t” while coming downward from the top to bottom will have a retracing stokes. Any stroke which goes back over another writing stroke. In natural handwriting there may be instances in which the pen doubled back over the course.

Shoulder – outside portion of the top curve, small letter “m” has three shoulders and the small letter “n” has two, the small letter “h” has one shoulder.

Spur – a short initial or terminal stroke.

Staff – Any major long downward stroke of a letter that is the long downward stroke of the letter “b”, “g”.

Stem or Shank – the upright long downward stroke that is the trunk or stalk, normally seen in capital letters.Tick/ Hitch – any short stroke, which is usually at the top of the letters.

Tremor – a writing weakness portrayed by irregular shaky strokes is described as writing tremor.

Other Terminology Related to Handwriting Examination:

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. The relative alignment of letters.

Characteristics – is any property or marks which distinguish and in document examination commonly called to as the identifying details.

Kinds of Characteristics:

Class characteristics – not all characteristics encountered in document examination are peculiar to a single person or thing and one which is common to a group may be described as class characteristics.

Individual or Personal Characteristics – characteristics which is highly personal or peculiar and it is unlikely to occur in other instances.

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 result regardless of their effectiveness is termed disguised writing.

Examination – it is the act of making a close and critical study of any material and with questioned document, 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.

Graphoanalysis – the study of handwriting based on the two fundamental strokes, the curve and the straight

Graphometry– analysis by comparisons and measurement.

Graphology – the art of determining character disposition and amplitude of a person from the study of handwriting.

Line quality – is the overall character of the inks lines from the beginning to the ending strokes.

Two classes:a. Good line qualityb. poor line quality

Microscopes Examination – any study or examination which is made with the microscope in other to discover minute details.

Movement – 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.

Opinion – in legal language, the Document Examiner’s conclusion. Actually in court, he not only expresses an opinion but demonstrate the reasons for arriving at this opinion. Though this book, opinion and conclusion are used synonymously.

Proportion or Ratio – is the relation between the tall and the short letter is referred as to the ratio of writing.

Pen Pressure – the average force with which the pen contacts the paper may be estimated from the examination of the writing. Pen pressure as opposed to pen emphasis deals with the usual of average force involved in the writing rather than the period increases.

Pen Emphasis – the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper surfaces with increase pressure. When the pen point has flexibility, this emphasis produces shading, but with more rigid writing points heavy point emphasis can occur in writing with out any evidence of shading.

Pen Pressure – the average force with which the pen contacts the paper or the usual force involves in writing. This is one of the most personal but somewhat hidden characteristics in writing.

Ratio of Writing – it is the relationship between the heights of the short letters.

Rhythm – is 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.

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.

Skill – in any set there are relative degrees or ability or skill and a specimen of writing usually contains evidence of the writer’s proficiency.

Slope/Slant – is the angle or inclination of the axis of the letters relative to the baseline.

Three Classes:a. Slant to the leftb. Slant to the rightc. Vertical slant

Speed of Writing – not every one writer as the same rate so that consideration of the speed of writing may be a significant identifying element. Writing speed cannot be measured precisely form the finished handwriting but can be interpose in broad terms of slow, moderates, or rapid.

BASIS OF HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

Handwriting:

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.

Environment, education and occupation affect individuals so variously in the information of this muscular habit that finally the act of writing becomes an almost automatic succession of acts stimulated by this habit. Thus a person’s style or writing in most details becomes as fixed as the habit and serve as a continuous inseparable mark of that one person.

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 which from the habit of the first writer.

Physiological Basis of Handwriting:

The impulse to from a letter begins in the brains writing center in the cortex. This center is skin to brain areas control visions, hearing, taking and walking, guides the muscles as they weave the complex movements that make the words. Since writing in the mind, emotion and attitudes both path of the mind, influence how we write just as they influence how we walk and talk.

In writing the pen functions as an extension of the hand. The fingers transmit to the paper, the directive impulse and the variation in muscular tension that according to the nature of the writer’s nervous organization occur during the act of writing.

Hence as each writer has his own way of holding his hand, manipulating the pen, and exerting pressure, the same pen in different hands will produce entirely different strokes.

This center near the motor area of the cortex responsible for the finger movement involved in handwriting. The importance of this center is that when it becomes diseased as in a graphic, one loses the ability to write although he could still grasp a fountain pen, ball pen or pencil.

Thus the ability or power to hold a fountain pen or pencil to from symbols and words can be said to emanate from its cortical center.

The hands contain two kinds of muscles which function is in the act of writing. A group of extensor muscles push up the pen to form the upward strokes and ease the tension produced as a result of flaxen by a group of muscle called the flexor muscles which push the pen to from the downward strokes.

This flexor and extensor muscles combined with numerical muscle to form lateral strokes.

Generally speaking, four groups of muscles are employed in writing. Those which operate the joints of the fingers, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The delicate way in which the various muscles used in writing work together to produce written from is known as motor coordination.

Kinds of Writing Movements:

1. Finger Movement – Is mostly employed in “vertical writing” and mainly in the formation of printed styles of writing. Letters are formed by the actions of the thumb, index and the middle finger. This is the movement employed by children, or generally by those with whom writing is an unfamiliar process, it is otherwise called as the “push and Pull writing”.

Characteristics:a. It results to an inferior or poor quality of writing with

lack of rhythm and speed.b. Spacing is cropped up and the dashes are usually absent.c. Finishes are done in irregular and abrupt manner or are

varied between letters.d. Pen usually starts resting on the paper and ends with

short and abrupt strokes due to limited and irregular movements of the fingers.

e. Shading is pronounced.f. Lack of clear-cut, smooth and regular lines.

2. Hand Movement – It involves the action of the hand as a whole with the fingers playing but a minor role (mainly in the

formation of small letters) and the wrist is the pivotal of the lateral movement.

Characteristics:a. Affords more expensive writing.b. Narrow connections at the top and bottom of letters.c. There is a considerable speed in movements.d. More regularity of the lines.

3. Forearm (or Muscular) Movement – Writing is produced by the movement of the hand and arm and also fingers in some cases. The elbow is the pivotal of the lateral movement.

Characteristics:a. Shows the greatest freedom and speed.b. Smooth clear cut as indicative of rhythm.c. Slight shading is produced.d. More even baseline.e. Lateral movements in longer making the shifting of the

writing hand fewer.f. Uniformity in size of letters.

This movement once used in imitation of genuine writing will make difficulties in its examination.

4. Whole Forearm Movement – It involves the action of the entire arm without rest and is employed in very large writing. Ornamental penmanship, blackboard writing, and by a few writers in making all the capital letters are some of the writing where this movement is being employed.

A more or less definite pattern for each is stored away in the subjective mind but the hand does not always produce a stereotype duplicate of that pattern. This is due to extraneous influences such as fatigue, lack of nervous tone, or muscular coordination, sickness and the like.

The hand ordinarily is not an instrument of precision and therefore we may not expect every habitual manual operation to be absolutely uniform. The greater this skill in the art of penmanship, the less the various there will be in the form of individualize letters as well as in the writing as a whole.

Kinds of Writing:

1. Cursive – connected writing2. Script – separated writing3. Block – capitalized writing

Development of Writing:

1. Children learn writing by following the school copy model.2. After acquiring some degree of skill the children no longer follow the school model.

3. As speed increasing, conscious design and regularity begin to breakdown.4. In the course of trial and error, modification are made, simplification and elaboration, addition and omission occur.

The writing pattern of each child embodies a unique combination of such deviation from the standard letter forms or school model, and becomes his personal habits.

Although, thousands learn the same system and that the natural result is identity, but facts show that it is not because those who were taught the dame system or school copy a class of

writes, but such impairs does not by any means produce a slavish uniformity.

Variation begins as soon as writing begins and continues till each writer in the way that seems best and easiest to him. No two persons write exactly alike and no reproduction of a handwritten document can duplicate completely all the detailed of the original writing.

Handwriting Problems:

1. A signature contested by its author which in reality is genuine and corresponds perfectly to the ordinary and habitual signatures of that person.2. A signature contested by its author which in reality was written by him but in a way which was different from the ordinary manner and which is more or less different from the common genuine signatures of that person.

3. A signature contested by its author which in reality was written by a third person and which is a forgery written in an attempted imitation of a model.

4. A spurious signature written by somebody who did not attempt to imitate the signature of a person and who uses a fictitious name and this to give his work the appearance of a signature.

5. An uncontested signature, in fact, genuine but written by an unknown person whose name must be deciphered by the document examiner.

Writing Habits:

Writing by all its thousand of peculiarities in combination is the most personal and individuals thing a man does that leaves a record which he can seen and studies. This is what constitutes individuality in handwriting.

Writing habits learned in the early years are those habits which are part of a basic system or which are modifications of the system of writing found among so large a group of writers that they have only slight identification value. These might include an open top ”O” and an ”A” or a looped “T” which occur in many rapid careless handwriting.

A few of these early habits learned by the child are those slant of letters “l”, “d”, “b”, “g”, “t” with small letters like letters “n”, “m”, “I”, “o”, “e” and also form and design of letters. These groups of habits are also called general or class characteristics.

Another group of writing characteristics or habits is termed individuals habits. Any writing habit or character in writing maybe modified and individualized by different writers in many different ways in many varying degrees and the writing individuality of any particular writer is made up of all those common and uncommon characteristics and habits.

It is always in the combination of particulars that identifies and necessarily the more numerous and usual the various elements and features, the more certain and identity. No two persons write alike.

An individual characteristic maybe the survival of an error when writing was learned. An individual characteristic maybe caused by the conscious influence of the writing of other that we frequently see.

Various individual characteristics in writing also grow out of the purpose for which writing is used and the amount of writing done. One who writes much will develop many individual qualities while the one who does practically no writing will continue to write the general system acquired in school.

Thus, in the development of writing, basic forms or school copy or system of writing, are imposed upon the writer. And later, after a degree of manipulative skill has been acquired, writers refashion these basic forms in his own individual way.

He develops a personal style in his writing which becomes as fixed as the habit in most details and serve as a continuous inseparable mark of that one person.

Significance of school Copy Forms or Systems Characteristics as Basic in the Identification of Handwriting:

1. Similarities of form are not indicative of identity unless they concern unusual form or what are termed deviations from the normal. Similarities are bound to occur in different writings but such similarities exist only in letters which are normal in form, the fact bears no significance.

2. All differences in form are indicated of non-identity.

3. The likeness in form maybe general and simply indicate the class or genus or the difference that does not differentiate maybe nearly superficial.

4. In many systems of writing, the date and influences of system of writing have an important bearing on the question of genuine or of forgery and in other cases, the presence of European characteristics in handwriting is a vital and controlling fact.

Stroke:

A stroke is the path traced by the pen on the paper. It should be observed whether the course of the strokes is continuous or broken. The pen stroke is the visual record of the writing movement.

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. Coordination – 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 space has been steady or variable.

4. Pressure – whether the pressure exerted in the movement on its upward and downward reach.

5. Direction – Leftward or rightward trend of they movement and its upward and downward reach.

6. Rhythm – In the sequence of movements that wave the total pattern, certain similar phases recur at more or less regular interval.

Motor Coordination:

The special way in which the various muscles used in writing work together to produced written forms. Generally speaking, four groups of muscles are employed in writing. Those which operate respectively the joints of the finger, wrist, elbow and shoulder.

Characteristics of Motor Coordination:

1. Free, smelt rounded curve.2. Gradual changes of directions.3. Pressure is always in a state of change, moving from light to heavy or from heavy to light.4. Speed5. The shading impulse is distributed over a considerable length of the line whereas in writing produced with a slow motion as in the finger movement, the shading often has a “bunchay” appearance, in which the maximum width of the shaded line is attained abruptly.

Rhythm in Handwriting:

Rhythm is a succession of connected, uniform strokes working in full coordination. Manifested by clear-cut accentuated strokes which increase and decrease in which like perfect cones. Pressure is always in a state of change moving from light to heavy or from heavy to light.

Lack of Rhythm:

Characterized by a succession of awkward, independent, poorly directed and disconnected motions.

Importance of Rhythm:

By studying the rhythm of the succession of strokes, one can determine if the writer normally and spontaneously or write with hesitation as if he is attempting to for another signature.

Letter of Connections:

Determine the essential expression of the writing pattern. It is mean indicator of the neuro-muscular function. Words are form by connection letters to one another.

Even letters are formed by the joining of the upward and downward strokes. These types of connections are:

1. Arcade – a rounded stroke shaped like an arch. It is a slow mode of connection resulting from controlled movements.

2. Garland – links the downward stroke to the upstrokes with a flowing curve swinging from left to right. It is an easy, effortless mode of connection, written with speed.

3. Angular Connective Form – where the downward strokes and upward strokes meet directly, angular connection are formed. These types of connection impose a check on the continuity of

movement characterized by an abrupt stop and start each turning point.

4. The Threadlike Connective Form – the joining of downward and upward strokes is slurred to a threadlike tracing or where rounded turns used at both top and bottom produce a double curve. These forms appear both in the shaping of letters within the word.

STANDARDS OR EXEMPLARS

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 problems.

General Classes of Handwriting Standards:

1. Collected Standards – are known (genuine) handwriting of an individual such as signature and endorsements on canceled checks, legal papers, 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 Liten Motan Exemplars – writings produced by the subject after evidential writings have come into dispute and solely for the purpose of establishing his contentions.

In most instances, collected standards are preferable to request standards, though both types should be submitted if available. Standards should be collected from a period dated within a year of the date questioned document, with some written within weeks or days of the questioned writing.

Types of Standards Desirable for Comparison Use in the Two Most Common Types of Questioned Documents Problems:

a. Submit collected and request standards signature from both individual case.b. When anonymous letter writings other than signature are in questioned.

1. Submit request standards writings of general nature from both victim and suspects (as much standards as possible to obtain within reason)2. Submit request standards of the questioned text written (or printed) – at least 3 writings by the suspect/s and in some instanced by the victim)

Suggested Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards in all Types of Questioned Document Problems:

1. Have the subject seated in a natural position at table or desk having smooth writing surface.

2. Furnish subject with paper and writing instrument similar to those used in questioned writings, lie: paper should be same

size, and ruled or unruled; as questioned document: if questioned document is in written furnish subject with pen and ink, etc.

3. Never permit subject to see any writing on questioned document.

4. Dictate material to be written (or printed, if questioned material is hand printed): give no assistance in spelling or arrangement on page. Dictate at a rate of speed which will produce the subject natural writing habits. Too slow dictation will enable subject to attempt disguise, to rapid dictation will produce normal writing.

5. Remove each specimen upon completion by subject number in consequence, date, time and identify by initiating each, and request subjects to sign each specimen.

6. Observe all writing done by subjects and indicate any attempt at disguise, as well as whether subjects appears to be normally right or left handed, etc.

Special Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards Where Checks Forgery is Changed or Suspected:

1. Furnish subjects with check blanks similar to the questioned check/s.

2. Dictate the entries to be made on specimen checks as follows:a. Date - same as shown on questioned checkb. Payee - do –c. Amount - do –d. Signature - do –e. Endorsement - do –f. Any other writing shown on questioned check.g. Give subjects to help or suggestions in completing

specimen checks.

Miscellaneous:

a. The laboratory should be informed of the age apparent health and physical condition of the time standards are written.b. Do not fold, staple or pin document, handle questioned documents with care.c. Indicate in the sample handwriting the time, place, date, signature of writer as well as witness of the handwriting.

Sources of Signatures Written in the Course of Daily Affairs:

1. Canceled checks.2. Signature cards for savings, checking and charge accounts and safe deposit boxes.3. Signed receipts for telegrams, special delivery or registered letters, express and store packages, etc.4. Business and personal letters.5. Credit applications and cards.6. Signature on sales slips, on job orders slips, requisition slips, and purchase slips.7. Leases, mortgages, agreements, bills of sale, contracts, deeds, notes stock certificates and transfers and other legal or business documents.8. Court records and affidavits, such as naturalization papers, bankruptcy proceedings, divorce papers, probated wills and estate files, powers of attorney, etc.

9. Passports, marriage application, license and affidavits.10. Driver automobile chauffeur, and other types of licensee applications.11. Application for gas, electricity, water and telephone services.12. Loan application and receipts.13. Tax returns or affidavits.14. Insurance and employment applications.15. Records from currency exchanges, check cashing agencies and pawnshop.16. Time sheets, payroll, pay receipts and personal forms.17. Barangay registrations, petitions.18. Relief and unemployment and old age compensation records.19. Signature for certain drug purchases, hotel registrations.20. Church, club, professional society records.21. Veteran records.22. Fingerprint records.23. School or university class records and cards.24. Application for clearances like in the office of municipal and city courts, city fiscals office, N.B.I. and other government and private offices.25. Application for firearms and licenses.26. Application for commission and enlistments in the AFP and foreign armed forces offices.27. Application for export and import and dollar allocations28. Identification cards.29. Application for right like water rights, copyrights, patents, franchises, etc.30. Application for civil service examination, board and bar examinations.31. Application for scholarships.32. Residence certificate, class A and B, reservist data sheet.33. Others.

Factors to Consider in the Selection of Standards:

1. Good writing standards should be sufficient to define accurately the identifying habits as well as the kind and extent of variation typical of the writer’s handwriting under any specific writing condition. (Hilton)

2. If the questioned handwriting was executed under abnormal conditions it is necessary to look for standards prepared under comparable circumstances.

3. The style of the writing contained in the standards or exemplars should be similar to the style of the questioned writings. If the questioned writings are hand printed, then get hand printed standards or exemplars.

4. Same instrument used in the preparation of the questioned document must be obtained in the standards. If the signature was written by ball pen in ruled paper and above a typewritten name, standards prepared under similar conditions should be selected. If the questioned handwriting was written a pencil, then standards written should be contemporaneous with standards exemplars. The ideal standards are those before, on and after the date of the questioned writing. The interval of years between the questioned and standards should not exceed more than five years.

According to Ordway Hilton, an authority on the subject of standards, selection of standard must be very carefully

controlled if the standards describe accurately and completely how a person writes.

If the writing in question was prepared under normal writing conditions, in respect to the physical surroundings and the writer’s health no difficult problem will arise, and comparison on the basis of ten or twenty contemporary signatures written under comparable physical condition will give accurate results. But some problems are complicated and harder to solve. This includes the following:

1. Signature of the careless or highly unreliable writer. There is a group of writers who execute their signatures with lack of consistency. With 74 or 100 known signatures, the examiner may still be confused to account for some rare peculiarity which occurs in the questioned signature. With a writer of this type, even a series of signatures written within a week or so of the questioned signature may show great variation.

2. Receipt signature. Is has same lack of consistency but only when a writer is signing for a delivery, such as letter or telegram. Under other conditions his signature is consistently uniforms and superior in form.

3. Near-illiterate writer. Writing is a slow and difficult task. The signature is drawn, slow and its designs are primitive. Problems involving these signatures tend to be troublesome.

4. Signatures of physical impaired writer.

a. The intoxicated signature – generally, deterioration in writing can be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. The writing skill declines although other writers still continue to write with skill.

- successive signatures wander away from the normal design and also the design of the immediately preceding signature written in somewhat unpredictable way – successive specimens written during the same night of drinking vary greatly in many identifying elements. Our problem is how to obtain comparable specimens which can be used effectively in accurately identifying a signature which clearly reflects the influence of excess alcohol.

b. Old age deterioration – very difficult problems may be encountered with signatures which have seriously deteriorated due to the writers age or to terminal illness. Writing is characterized by a lack of fluency in the execution and inaccuracy and inconsistency in details of form. Study of a series of signature to signature than was typical of vigorous signatures of earlier years. The inconsistency of these signatures complicates the problem. In order to reach the most accurate conclusions, two or three times the normal number of signatures may be needed, and must be closer in date to the signature in question than in the usual case.

c. The sick bed signature – infirm signature written on a sick bed represent badly deteriorated signatures of a writer who subsequently regains some or all of his writing vigor. A signature of this kind may have been immediately after a serious accident or operation when it was believed essential to execute the particular document.

- period of illness are not times when one is appropriate to do much waiting and so there may be only limited numbers of

signatures write. Thus the right kind of standards, therefore are extremely difficult to locate, if the exist at all.

5. Disguised signature or writing. - the questioned writing of the may be disguised that the problem becomes more confusing to the document examiner. If the questioned signature is disguised, specimens written under normal condition cannot be used for comparison. The examination is therefore hampered by the lack of truly adequate and proper standards.

Admissibility of Standard Writing:

Standard used by the document examiner in an identification problem are vital importance to him. If some of the standard writings on which the document examiner bases his conclusion cannot be introduced, then the document examiner may not be able to provide convincing or his testimony may be weakened.

Classes of Standard Writings Which are Admissible for Comparison Purposes:

1. Standard Writings Witnessed. – The courts accept as sufficient proof that evidence in the form of uncontradicted testimony of a competent eyewitness to the execution of writing is sufficient to permit the use of such writings as standard to test other writing.

- It was not necessary for the witness actually to have watched the pen of the writer as it passed over the paper where it appeared that there was no other as person present at the time but he write and the witnesses that the writing was done in the witnesses presence and that writer then gave them the paper.

- Included in this class of admissible standards are writings voluntarily prepared by a party in the presence of an investigator, these generally are known as requested writings.

2. Standards Writings Admitted. – It the party whom a handwriting standard is to be admits the geniuses of the standards it could hold that further proof of genuineness is unnecessary.

3. Record Maintained in Regular Course of Business as Standard Writings. Generally, the contexts of records maintained in the regular course of business are admissible as an exemption to the hearsay rule, as proof of their contents.

- However, their acceptance as such does not in itself establish the writings as a standard for comparison. Circumstantial evidence, particularly in civil cases, has been held to be sufficient proof to admit records of this nature as standard of writing for comparison.

4. Government Document as Standard Writings. – Signatures of government officials on document treated as authentic and produced from official archives may be admitted in evidence as standard of comparison whether being as issue as to the forgery of the signature of the same persons on other documents.

5. Ancient Writings. – The courts have admitted writings on ancient document as standard for comparison.

6. Other Writings Standards. – Among writings admissible as standard are signature on spelling motion or other instruments, such as an appearance bond, which may without further proof of genuineness be used as a standard.

7. Familiarity Sometimes Establish Standard Writings. – Testimony to the genuineness of a collection of standard of writing by witnesses who are familiar with a person’s handwriting.

8. Opinion Evidence. – The court seem to be in general agreement that proof of the genuineness of a standard cannot be established by the opinion of experts testifying from a comparison of the writing sought to be used as standard with another writing.

9. Genuineness of Standard Decided by Court. – The sufficient of the proof of the genuineness of a standard of writing is a matter to be decided by the court.

HOW TO PREPARE AND COLLECT HANDWRITING STANDARDS

Principal Points to Consider Regarding Collected Standards:

1. The amount of standard written.a. Signature - twenty to twenty fiveb. Writing - usually five or seven pages of natural writing

2. Similarly of subject matter.a. Compare conventional copy book from with conventional

copy-book form standard; and compare highly individualized questioned signature with highly individualized standards signatures.

b. Extended writing – determine whether the questioned writing is purely cursive, or script, or block, or combination of the three or two styles of writing.

3. Relative dates of the questioned and the standards writing.- standard signatures or writing must be those written five

years before or five years after the date of the questioned signature or writing.

4. Condition under which both the questioned and the standard are prepared.

a. Paper rested on the kneeb. Standingc. Sittingd. Lying downe. Moving vehicle- The document examiner must make a brief investigation into

the condition under which a document was written.

5. Writing instrument and paper.a. Paper – Determine whether the questioned writing was

written in the ruled pad paper or plain paper.b. Writing instrument – Determine whether the questioned

writing was written in ball point pen, fountain pen, etc.

For Requested and Dictated Standards:

1. Material must be dictated to the suspect/s.2. Carefully select the dictated. Do not dictate the entire content of the anonymous letter.3. Adequate amount of writing must be included.4. Some portion of the dictation should be repeated at least three times.5. Writing instrument and paper should be similar to those used in preparing the questioned document.6. The dictation should be interrupted at intervals.7. Normal writing conditions should be arranged.

As much as possible the combination of the collected and requested standards must be used in the comparison in order to obtain an adequate and accuracy of the opinion.

For Typewriting Standards:

1. If the typewriting ribbon is obviously now, remove it to the laboratory with the typewriting exemplars prepared from another ribbon. (the text of the material in question may still be visible on the ribbon).

2. Use of about the same size as the questioned materials, type out a full word copy of the message in question, typographical errors, using nearly as possible the same degree of touch as that used in typing the questioned materials.

3. After placing the typewriter in a stencil position or removing the cloth ribbon, obtain samples of each character on the keyboard by typing through carbon paper which has been inserted carbon side down over a piece of white bond paper.

4. Make certain that each specimen contain the make, model and serial number of the typewriter from which it was produced as well as the date and initials of the offices.

5. Typewriter specimen should be taken from suspect typewriter/s. It is usually not necessary to forward the typewriter to the laboratory it complete known exemplars are obtained.

6. If possible, after a typewritten exemplar is obtained from a suspect typewriter, the investigator insures that the typewriter is kept in its current condition. With evidence thus obtained from typewritten documents the laboratory experts is in position to find valuable assistance to the solution and subsequent prosecution of many cases.

Indication of Disguised Writings:

1. Abnormally large writing.2. Abnormally small writing.3. Alteration in slant (usually backhand)4. Usually variation in slant within a single unit of writing (within a single signature)5. Printed forms instead of cursive forms.6. Decrease in the usual speed of writing.7. Unusual widening or restriction of lateral spacing.

Kinds of Disguises:

1. Change of slant – from right to left or vice versa.2. Change of letter, either from cursive to block style or vice versa.3. Change from cursive (conventional style) to block form or vice versa.4. Change of style from small to big or vice versa.5. Deteriorating one’s handwriting.6. Using the wrong hand. (Ambidextrous)

Evidence of Alcoholic Intoxication in Handwriting:

1. Bizarre letter forms.2. Greatly enlarge writing.

3. Illegible forms and writing generally.4. Uneven baseline.5. Meaningless blobs or extraneous strokes in the writing.6. Inconsistency in slant of writing.7. Inconsistency in the form of repeated letters.

Importance of Contemporaneous Standard:

For the reason that characteristics and qualities of handwriting gradually change with many writes, the alleged date of writing in question and the actual date of all standard writing should be known, because of this possibility of change the standard always should include all that are available within a certain definite period; including the item when it is claimed the questioned writing was written.

If it is alleged that writing was produced under unusual surrounding of any kind, this fact should be known by the examiner. If the writer was subjects to unusual changes in physical or mental condition due to age, disease or personal habits, or through any cause, these facts also should be known. Certain general qualities in handwriting necessarily are affected by conditions of the writer or surrounding the writer and often it is necessary to determine whether the written results are in harmony with alleged condition.

HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

Principle of Identification:

When any two specimens of handwritings contain a combination of corresponding or similar and specifically oriented characteristics of such number and significance as to preclude the possibility of their occurrence by mere coincidence, and there are no unaccounted for difference, it may be concluded that they are similar in writing characteristics and therefore written by one and the same person.

Writing as a whole is a combination of certain forms which are the visible result of a series of controlled successive movement that follows the fixed grooves of habits.

These writing habits like habits of speech become so automatic and unconscious that even by the most demanding effort, it is almost impossible to change them. It is one of the most permanent of human habits.

Early developed and mature handwriting shows peculiarities which are combination of all various and their cannot be exactly duplicated in the writing of any other person.

General 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.

They might include an open top small letter “t” which occurs in any rapid careless writings, proportion of all letters to medium letters, slant connection and combination of letters.

General similarities can certainly form a part of the basic identification but here must be very unique combinations of them and of individual or personal writing indicate the class or genus or the difference that does not differentiate may prove lack of genuineness.

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. No two persons write alike. They are found in the following:

1. Writing movement – the character of writing movement is a primary determinant of writing speed. It makes more time to make a long one. More time to form a small solid letter than a form a large “racy one”. Short, steady lines suggest a firmly controlled and purposeful movement. A feather edged “broken line” suggest a slowly executed movement.

2. Form and design of letters – all differences in form and design of letters are indicative of non-identity.

Similarities of form are not indicative of identity they concern unusual forms or what are termed deviations from the normal. Similarities are bound to occur in different writings but such similarities exist only in letters which are normal in from, which facts bear no significance.

Those which occur only occasionally are next importance. The writing pattern of letters has three dimensions, width, depth, height.

3. Muscular control or motor control – is characterized by free smooth, well regulated movements produced without tension or impulsive variation. Deviations from true motor or muscular control are:

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 a 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. However small writing is not always evidence of restrained movement fatigue during long periods of writings. True full-arm movement can be employed only under rather ideal conditions such as while sitting at a clean table or desk.

4. Motor coordination – the efficient way which the various muscles writing work together to produce written forms. A writer with a good motor coordination writes without mental strain, forming his letters without conscious attention. The hand moves as soon as the mind conceives a word to write and the word is there on the paper. There are times when one set of muscles do not properly yield to the pressure of the other set muscles especially at junction and the conflict hinders the normal flow of the pen. This dis-coordination of writing muscles leaves a distinct mark which is visible under magnification. Two writers of the same class may not have equal coordination or dis-coordination their writings. Each write has his own width regard to alignment and the relative position of the letters.

Faculty Coordination is Characterized by the Following:

a. Wavering and very irregular line or strokes with uncertain and unsteady progress. There is no freedom of movement along the strokes of the letter forms. The writing is obviously very slow and is typical of the writing of a young child or for any one who painstaking draws a picture of an unfamiliar form.

b. Angular line – a very common fault of coordination. Curves, large and small are not smoothly rounded and there is no gradual change of direction. On the contrary, and angle marks almost every change are direction in the line. Investigation has disclosed that angles are accompanied by a lessening of writing speed.

c. Shading – in forearm movement where considerable speed is used, there is ordinarily but slight shading if any. The shading impulse here is distributed over a considerable length of the line whereas writing produced with a slow motion as in the finger movement the shading often has a “bunchay” appearance that is to say, the maximum width of the shaded line is attained abruptly. The shading impulse is firmly grounded and difficult to overcome. It is basis of its degree and location. Some writers place the greatest emphasis on the straight strokes, others on the curves.

6. Skill – legibility and symmetry are the basis upon which one’s skill or pictorial aspect is judged. Skill is classified as poor, medium, and good.

7. Alignment – good alignment is obtained by a forearm movement in which the elbow joint is used as the center or pivot of lateral motion and arm is held at right angles to the line or writing. This set-up allows the hand and forearm to swing left and right in an arc and also permitting the forearm to rotate so that the palm may be turned downward or upward.

8. Pen pressure – one of the most reliable indications of naturalness in handwriting is the rhythmical and fluent application of pressure and release of pressure. This indicate that pressure is always in a state of change moving form light to heavy or form heavy to light.

9. Connection – the connective form determines the essential expression of the writing pattern. It is the main indicator of his neuromuscular function. Connections used may be rounded like the garland and the arcade, angular and threads. They form the letter and ink them within the words.

10. Pen hold – this location of the shading can give clue to how the fountain pen is held. If the pen is held pointing to the right shoulder, shading appears fairly high or long the sides of circular form. This is shown in small letter ‘d”. If the pen is held pointing away from the right shoulder, shading tends to appear at the top and the bottom of circular formation such as small letters “o”, “a”, and “d”.

11. Rhythm – this characteristic is an importance indicator of a natural writing movement. It is caused by a contraction and relaxation of group of muscles in full coordination. Pressure is always in a state of change from light to heavy or vice versa.

12. Disconnections or pen lifts between letters – this characteristic may be due to lack of movement control or closely related to design of letters and habits controlling this characteristic where acquired when writing was learned. Many free

writers don’t stop the motion of the pen every time it is raised so that the notion itself may be learning to write are taught to take up the pen before the small letters “a”, “c”, “d”, “g”, “q”, and “t” and the design of certain styles of these small letters requires that the pen be raised.13. Speed – speed of writing which is correlated with naturalness of handwritings frequently shown by slurring of letter forms.

Indication of Speed Writing:

a. Smooth, unbroken strokes and rounded forms.b. Frequent signs or tendencies to the right.c. Marked uncertainly as to the location of the dots of small letters “i”, “j” and crosses of small letter “t”.d. Increased naturalness of words or small letter “t” connected with the following words.e. Letters shortened or degenerated almost to illegibility toward the end of words. f. Wide writing – width of letters is greater than the connecting spaces adjoining it.g. Great difference in emphasis between upstrokes and down strokes.h. Marked simplification of letters especially capital letters.i. Rising line.j. Increased pen pressure.k. Increase in the margin to left at the beginning of the line.

Indication of Slow Writing:

a. Wavering forms and broken strokes.b. Frequent signs or tendencies to the left.c. Conspicuous certainly as to the location of the dots of small letters “I”, “j”, or “t” crosses with just perceptible deviation from the intended direction.d. Frequent pauses by meaningless blobs, angles divided letters and retouches.e. Careful execution of detail of letters, toward the end or names.f. Narrow writing.g. No difference in emphasis in upstroke and down stroke.h. Ornamental or flourishing connections.i. Sinking lines.

14. Slant as a writing habit – under certain conditions, slant becomes highly significant and with many writers in one of the most fixed of habits. Slight divergence in the few strokes of a single signature may be very strong evidence of lack of genuineness when such divergence is part of a combination of character pointing to a writer of a different system of writings from the imitated. A slight but persistent difference in slant in two writings of considerable length may be evidence difference might be the result of intended disguise.

15. Proportion of letters as an individual characteristic or habit – this characteristic refer to the proportion of the upper and lower loops of capital and small letters and to the medium letters.

16. Quality of stroke or line quality – the line or stroke itself in writing shows the quality of speed and continuity of motion with which it is made, the degree of muscular skill employed in the operation, the relation of the pen point to the surface of

the paper, the nature of the movement employed in making the stroke as shown by its force and freedom or its hesitation.

17. Variation – there are trivial or superficial differences which can be observed when any two genuine signature or writings are compared with each other. These writings will differ somewhat in size as well as in certain unimportant particulars in design and execution because of the fact that the human writing mechanism is not an entirely accurate reproducing instrument like a stamp print but produces and inevitable variation within a certain field. The degree of this variation varies with different writers.

Causes of Variations:

a. Function of some external condition example: influence of the available space.

b. Abnormal conditions such as physical injury, toxic effects, vibration, emotion and deception.

c. Position of letter – all the letters are to be found initially, medially, and finally. The fact of a different position, especially in combination with another and particular letter, may modify any of them in some way or another.

Classes of Individual Characteristics:

a. Permanent characteristics – can be found always in his writings.

b. Common or usual – can be found in a group of writers who studied the same system of writing.

c. Occasional – only found occasionally in his writing.

d. Rare – special to the writer and perhaps found only in one or two persons in a group of one hundred individuals.

Fundamental Law as Which Govern the Conclusion in Handwriting Identification Problems:

a. A signature naturally and genuinely written under normal condition contain all of the individual habits of the writer’s signature which are put into it in a way that is consistent with his writing ability and the writing quality of his signature.

b. A signature is fraudulent if it contains habits, qualities or elements which are significantly different from genuine signatures written under similar conditions.

Probative Value of Writing Characteristics:

It is impossible to illustrate and define all the thousands of actual and possible individual qualities and characteristics of writing and weight and measure their comparative values for the reason that these values differ greatly with different writers and under varying conditions. It is very important to have an understanding of the principles by which the force and significance of characteristics are to be measured.

Some General Principles Can be Stated That Apply in Most Cases:

a. Those identifying or differentiating characteristics are of the most force which is most divergent from the regular system or national features of a particular handwriting under examination.

b. Those repeated characteristics which are inconspicuous should be first be sought for and should be given the most weight, for these are likely to be so unconscious that they would not intentionally be omitted when the attempt is made to disguise and would not be successfully copies from the writing of another when simulation is attempted.

c. Ordinary system or national features and element are not alone sufficient characteristics necessarily have as evidence of identity as stated above, it present in sufficient number and in combination with individuals qualities and characteristics.

Correct Conclusion:

To reach the conclusion that two writings are written by the same hand, characteristics or “dents” and “scratches” in sufficient quantity to exclude the theory of accidental coincidence; to reach the conclusion that writings are by different hands, we may find numerous likeliness in class characteristics but divergences in individual characteristics or we may find divergences in both but the divergence must be something more than mere superficial differences.

If the conclusion of identifying is reached, there must not remain significant differences that cannot reasonably be explained. This ignoring of the differences or the failure properly to account for them is the cause of the errors in handwriting identification.

A Document Examiner usually observes a scientific approach in the examination of the disputed writing. The possibility that handwriting being identifiable and separated from others largely depends on any individuals who have developed the complex structural product of modifying normal practice and adapting to the needs and abilities. Although there is no specified approach, the following are always observed:

a. Recognition of handwriting characteristic – one must acquire the ability to distinguish what are the style and individual characteristics. Distinguish characteristics which are normal and disguise.

b. Comparison of handwriting characteristics – make allowance to the presence of natural variation in handwriting.

c. Evaluation of handwriting characteristics for opinion purposes – evaluate the significance and number of similarities and dissimilarities in handwriting.

Examples of Common Characteristics:

a. Ordinary copy-book form.b. Usual systematic slant.c. Ordinary scale of proportion or ratio.d. Conventional spacing.

How Individual Characteristics are Acquired:

a. Outgrowth of definite teaching.

b. Result of imitation.c. Accidental condition or circumstances.d. Expression of certain mental and physical trains of the

writer as affected by education, by environment and by occupation.

Examples of Some of the Individual Characteristics:

a. Hook to the right and hook to the left.b. Shape, position, size and angle of “I” dots “t” crossing.c. Idiosyncrasiesd. Bulbs and distinctive initial and final pen pressure.e. Embellishment, added strokes and free movement endings.f. Abbreviation of letters.g. Simple and compound curves and graceful endings.h. Labored movement producing ragged lines.i. Terminal shadings and forceful endings.j. Presence and influence of foreign handwriting, with the

introduction of Greek “e’.

Movement or Manner of Execution:

1. Kinds of movementa. Forearmb. Whole arm

2. Quality of movementa. Awkward, illiterate and uncertain.b. Hesitating and painful due to weakness and illness.c. Strong, heavy and forceful.d. Nervous and irregular.e. Smooth, flowing and rapid.

3. Speeda. Slow and drawnb. Deliberatec. Averaged. Rapid

4. Different movements employed affect wring in:a. Smoothnessb. Directnessc. Uniformityd. Continuity of strokese. Connecting or curves between letters

Points to Consider in Examining Extended Writing:

(Anonymous, threat, poison letters)

1. Uniformity – does the questioned writing have smooth, rhythmic and free flowing appearance?

2. Irregularities – does the questioned writing appear awkward, ill-formed slowly drawn?

3. Size and proportion – determine the height go the overall writing as well as the heights go the individual strokes in proportion to each other.4. Alignment – are they horizontally aligned, or curving, uphill or downhill?

5. Spacing – determine the general spacing between letters, spacing between words. Width of the left and right margins, paragraph indentions.

6. Degree of slant – are they uniform or not?

7. Formation and design of letters, “t” – bars, “I” . dots, loops, circle formation.

8. Initial, connecting and final strokes.

HANDPRINTING

The procedure and the principle involved is similar to that of cursive handwriting, the different steps in the preparation of both collected and requested standards should be applied in this problem which is determination of the author of questioned hand printed writings.

Specimen must be hand printed and reflect the style of printing habitually used by the writer. Instructions should be given to print capitals and small letters. At least the investigator should obtain about ten sheets of paper containing the subject handwriting. The materials of course should approximate the materials used in the questioned hand printed document.

In block capital and manuscript writings, personal individual rest principally in design, selection, individual letter construction, size, ratios and punctuation habits. The initial step in handwriting examination is to determine whether the questioned handwriting and standards were accomplished with:

a. a fluency of movement and a certainty of execution indicative of familiarity with and a measure or skill in handwriting of conversely.

b. a conscious mental effort and non-rhythmic execution denoting either unfamiliarity with or disguise in the subjects handwriting.

Investigation and Detailed Examination of Signatures:

Forgery – A legal term which involves not only a non-genuine document but also and intent room however, it is used synonymously with fraudulent signature or spurious document.

Spurious Document – A fraudulent signature in which there was no papparent attempt at stimulation or limitation. It is a common form of forgery encountered at stipulation or limitation.

Traced Forgery – Any fraudulent signature which was executed by actually following the outline of a genuine signature with a writing instrument.

Simulated or Freehand Imitation Forgery – A fraudulent signature which was executed purely by simulation rather than by tracing the outline of a genuine signature.

Anachronism – This something wrong in time and in place. This means that the forger has trouble matching the paper, ink, or writing materials to the exact date it was supposed to have been written.

Guided Signature – A signature which is executed while the writer’s hand or arm is steadied in any way is classified as a guided or assisted signature. Under the law of most jurisdictions such as a signature authenticates a legal document, provided it show that the writer requested assistance. Guided signatures are most commonly written during a serious illness or on a deathbed.

Definition of Signature:

A name or a mark that a person puts at the end of a document to attest that he is its author or that he ratifies its contents. Many persons who have done a lot of writing transform their name. Letters become simplified or condensed, complex movement name. This is now signature. It is mark but this mark is now personal. It is a personal combination of strokes in which it is possible to recognize the writer.

Signatures should be considered not just from the point of view whether there is any difference whatever. The problem is to form a judgment first about the normal range of variation in the standard and then to consider whether the questioned signature has significant similarity and whether any difference you observe is within the range of normal variation established by the standards or whether variations shown by several signatures.

Classes of Signature:

a. Formal or Complete – Class of signature used in acknowledging important document such as will, checks, contract and business papers.

b. Informal or Cursory (Initial) – A class of signature for routinely document or made for personal correspondence.

c. Careless Scribble – Used for mail carrier, delivery of goods, purchase of equipments and an autograph collector.

Examination of Signatures is Considered a Specialized Branch of Handwriting Identification for the Following Reason:

1. A signature is a word most practiced by many people and therefore most fluently written.

2. A signature is a means to identify a person and have a great personal significance.

3. A signature is written with little attention to spelling and some other details.

4. A signature is a word written without conscious thought about the mechanics of its production and is written automatically.

5. A signature is the only word the illiterate can write with confidence.

Suggested Steps in the Examination of Signature:

Signature in documents must be examined exhaustively and scrutinized in every detail to avoid error in judgment.

The difference between the layman’s observation and those with special training in questioned documents examination lies on

gross features in the signatures, while the letter makes an exhaustive study of the minute details.

Step 1 – Place the questioned and the standard signatures in the juxta-position or side by side for simultaneous viewing of the various elements and characteristics.

Step 2 – The first element to be considered is the handwriting movement or the manner of execution (slow, deliberate, rapid, etc). The fundamental difference existing between a genuine signature and an almost perfect forgery is in the manner of execution.

Step 3 – Second elements to examine is the quality of the line, the presence or tremors, smooth, fluent or hesitation. Defect in line quality is only appreciated when simultaneous viewing is made.

Step 4 - Examine the beginning and ending lines, they are very significant, determine whether the appearance blunt, club-shaped, tapered or vanishing.

Step 5 – Design and structure of the letters – Determine as to roundness, smoothness, angularity and direction. Each individual has a different concept of letter design.

Step 6 – Look for the presence of retouching or patching.

Step 7 – Connecting strokes, slant, ratio, size, lateral spacing.

Step 8 – Do not rely so much in the similarity or difference of the capital letters, for these are the often changed according to the notion of the writer.

Indication of Genuineness:

a. Carelessnessb. Spontaneityc. alteration of thick and thin strokes.d. Speede. Simplificationf. Upright letters are interspersed with slanting lettersg. The upward strokes to a threadlike tracing.h. Rhythmi. Good line qualityj. Variation

Three Classes of Forged Signature:

1. Simulated Signature – the free hand drawing in imitation of model signature.

a. Simulated with the model before the forger – he makes an effort to obtain a reproduction of the model signature. He works slowly, stroke after stroke.

a.1. Direct technique – forger works directly with ink.a.2. Indirect technique – forger work first with special

pencil and afterwards covers the pencil strokes with ink.

b. Simulated free hand forgery – used by forgers who have a certain skill in writing. After some practice, the forger tries to write a copy of the model quickly.

2. Traced Signature – a tracing of a genuine signature outline.a. Direct tracing – copy is made by transmitted light.b. Indirect tracing – forger used a carbon paper and place

document on which he will trace the forged signatures under the document bearing the model signature with carbon between the two.

Types of Traced Signatures:

a. Carbon Process – The forger places the document to be forged on the bottom, inter-leave a piece of carbon and places on top a document containing the genuine signature. The forger then traces over the genuine signature with pencil, pen stylus, or other sharp pointed instrument.

The pressure of this over tracing against the carbon paper imprints the signature outline in carbon on the top bottom document. This type could be easily detected by the smattering of carbon remnants on the forged document.

b. Indention 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 instrument and creates an indented signature outline on the document being forged. Later this depression outline is overwritten using pencil or fountain pen.

c. Transmitted Light Process – The document to be forged is place on top of the document containing the genuine signature. The two documents are superimposed over a trace a signature outline, with pencil or fountain pen following the design of the genuine set in bold relief by the light in back of it.

3. Simple Forgery – forger does not try to copy a model but writes with something resembling we ordinarily call a signature. For this he uses a false name and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual writing by adopting a camouflage called disguise.

Indication of Forgery – Simulated and Traced:

1. Tremulous and broken connecting strokes between letters, indicating points at which the writer has temporarily struck.

2. No rhythm3. Carefulness or unusual care and deliberation4. No contrast between upward and downward strokes5. Slow writing – angular writing6. Blunt beginning and ending7. Placement of diacritical marks just over the stem of

letters8. Absence of spontaneity – lack of smoothness of letters9. Restrained writing – there is a lack of freedom or

“inhibited’ movements. It gives the impression that every stroke is made with great difficulty. This writing is small.

10. No variation

WRITING MATERIALS (PAPER) IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

One of the subjects of inquiry in questioned documents is the writing material used. The common (probable) questioned on paper is the AGE, whether the actual age of the paper corresponds with the alleged date of preparation of the questioned document.

To fully understand the principles of tracing the age of the writing materials used in questioned documents, it is imperative for a questioned documents examiner to be aware of the evolution and development of papers. When such paper was first introduced or used, physical changes on papers and the importance of water marks, are some of the valuable things that an investigator should know to come up with a more conclusive opinion.

Paper – sheet of interlaced fibers usually cellulose fibers from plants, but sometimes from cloth rags or other fibrous materials. That is formed by pulping the fibers and causing to felt, or mat, to form a solid surface.

Writing Materials – the evolution of writing materials culminated in the development of paper. The oldest written records still surviving are the Sumerian clay tablets dating back from 4th

millennium B.C.

Papyrus – came into use about 3,500 B.C., people of Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and Southern Europe used the pith (soft Spongy tissue of the stem) of the sedge (grass like herb) CYPERUS PAPYRUS to make a writing known as PAPYRUS.

Parchment – writing material made from skin of animals primarily of sheep, calves or goats – was probably developed in the Middle East more or less contemporaneously with papyrus. It came into wide use only in the 2nd century B.C. in the city of PERGAMUM, ANATOLIA.

Vellum – writing materials from fine skins of young calves or kids and the term vellum was often used for all kind of parchment manuscripts, it became the most important writing material for bookmaking, while parchment continued for special manuscripts.

Almost every portable surface that would retain the marks of brush or pen was also used as a writing material during the early period.

Development of Paper Manufacturing:

Cailun (Tsai Lun) – it is widely claimed that invention of paper is generally attributed to a Chinese court official, CAI LUN (TSAI LUN), in about 105 A.D.

- the first to succeed in making paper from vegetable fibers – tree barks, rags, old fish nettings.

- the art of paper making was kept secret for 500 years; the Japanese acquired it only in the 7th century A.D.

- in 751 A.D. the Arab city of Samarkand was attacked by marauding Chinese and some Chinese taken as prisoners were skilled in papermaking and were forced by the city Governor to build and operate a paper mill and Samarkand soon became the papermaking center of the Arab world.

- knowledge of papermaking traveled westward, spreading throughout the Middle East, the Moorish invasion of Spain led to the invention (1150 A.D.) or erection of the first European paper mill at JATIVA, VALENCIA.

- knowledge of the technology spread quickly and by 16th

century, paper was manufactured throughout most of Europe.

Chlorine – was introduced in 19th century for bleaching and colored linen could already manufacture for paper.

Esparto – a grass grown in Libya, also in Spain and North Africa was first introduced in England in 1861.

Straw – was used to make paper in 1800.Sulphite – paper from wood was not attempted until 1869 and paper called SULPHITE (modern type) was first used between 1880 and 1890.

Oldest Manuscript – letters dated 874 A.D. have been found in Egypt and the oldest manuscript in England on cotton paper dated 1890 A.D. Tracing the Age of Paper (Document):

The age of the document may be estimated from paper. Four cases were reported by Lucas in which the age of the document was established from the compositor/composition of the paper.

In one of these cases, a document dated 1798 A.D. was found to be written in paper composed entirely of chemically prepared wood cellulose. Considering that this type of paper was not introduced not until about 60 years later, the document is obviously a fake one.

Watermarks:

Sometimes a LIMIT may be placed to the age of the document by means of watermark, the earliest known dating from 1282. unfortunately, however, not all papers contain watermarks.

The earliest way of identifying the date of manufacture of the paper is by the WATERMARK – a brand put on the paper by the manufacturers.

It is impressed into the paper by wires on the rollers called DANDY ROLL that make the paper, and these designs are changed from time to time. Usually watermarks are requested by their owners/manufacturers with the patent office.

If present, watermark is one of the most reliable means of tracing the age of the paper. However, the questioned documents examiner’s finding is limited only to the APPROXIMATE DATE (YEAR) of the paper manufacture.

In determining the age of the paper by watermarks, it is necessary to ascertain the owner of the watermark in question or its manufacturer.

In the FBI, this is done by checking the reference file of the laboratory. Once the manufacturer is determined, then consideration is given to changes in design and defects of individual design.

In recent years, some large manufacturers have cleverly incorporated inconspicuous changes in their watermark design in order to date their products.

Obviously, document is fraud if it contains a watermark which was not in existence at the time the document purports to have been executed.

In Case the Watermark of a Certain Paper Manufacturer did not Changed, the Following is Applied:

In those cases where no change in the design has been made over a long period of time, defects in the individual design may furnish a clue as to the age of the paper.

The dandy roll through constant usage will somehow be damaged. This damage is also known as caused by WERA and TEAR which become progressively more and more as time goes by. The damage on the dandy roll will leave some peculiar markings on the watermark of the paper manufactured or all papers that will pass through the damaged dandy roll.

The investigator carefully determined the distinct markings caused by the dandy roll’s damaged surface will coordinate with the paper manufacture regarding when such damage occurred on the dandy roll used.

Discoloration:

One way of tracing the age of the paper is through the observance of the changes in its physical characteristics particularly DISCOLORATION. Naturally, a paper will discolor after a passage of time due to numerous environmental factors such as moisture, temperature, dust etc.

Causes of Discoloration:

Discoloration is highly influenced by storage of the papers or documents and conditions like the following:1. Due to process of oxidation brought about by natural means2. Brown spots due to molds that are very characteristics both in appearance and distribution3. Exposure to dust and dirt4. Occasional staining of fruit juice, grease5. Excrete of rats, mice and other insects6. May also due to heat, partial burning, etc.

Wood Pulp – papers out of wood pulp may start to discolor at edges from 2 to 3 years

Rug-ship Quality – may be very old before discoloration starts.

WRITING INSTRUMENT (PEN)

A tool for writing or drawing with a colored fluid, such as ink. The rise and spread of Christianity increased the demand for permanent written religious documents. Pen came from the Latin word “PENNA” meaning feather.

Quill Pens It is a hollow, horny part of large feather usually from

goose and was used for writing on parchment. Poland, Germany, Russia, and the Netherlands were the largest producers of quill.

As the size of writing became smaller, both writing tools and surfaces changed. Vellum or parchment books replaced the papyrus roll, and the QUILL replaced the REED PEN.

Although quill pens can be made from the outer wing feathers of any bird, those of goose, swan, crow and later turkey, were preferred. The earliest reference (6th century A.D.) to quill pens was made by the Spanish Theologian ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE, and this tool was the principal writing implement for nearly 1300 years.

To make a quill pen, a wing feather is first hardened by heating or letting it dry out gradually. The hardened quill is then cut to a broad edge with a special pen knife.

The writer had to recut the quill pen frequently to maintain its edge. By the 18th century, the width of the edge had diminished and the length of the slit had increased creating a flexible point that produced thick and thin strokes by pressure on the point rather than by the angle at which the broad edge was held.

Also by the 18th century, paper had replaced vellum as the chief writing surface and more writing was being done for commerce than for church or crown. During this period, attempts were made to invent a lasting writing tool that did not require recutting. Horn, tortoise shell, and gemstones were tried, but steel was eventually used for permanent pen points.

Although pens of bronze may have been known to Romans, the earliest mention of “BRAZEN PENS” was in 1465. The 16th century Spanish calligrapher JUAN DE YCIAR mentions brass pens for very large writing in his 1548 writing manual, but the use of metal pens did not become widespread until the early part of the 19th

century.

The first patented steel pen point was made by the English engineer BRYAN DONKIN in 1803. The leading 19th century English pen manufacturers were WILLIAM JOSEPH GILLOT, WILLIAM MITCHELL, and JAMES STEPHEN PERRY.

Use of the quill rapidly declined during that century, especially after the introduction of the free public education for children; more emphasis was then placed on the teaching of writing than on teaching the skill of quill cutting.

In 1884, LEWIS WATERMAN, a New York insurance agent, patented the first practical FOUNTAIN PEN containing its own ink reservoir. Waterman invented a mechanism that fed ink to the pen point by capillary action, allowing ink to flow evenly while writing.

By the 1920’s the fountain pen was the chief writing instrument in the west and remained so until the introduction of the ball point pen after WORLD WAR II.

Reed Pen/ Swamp Pen It came from especially selected water grasses found in

Egypt, Armenia and along the shores of the Persian Gulf, were prepared by leaving them under dung heaps for several months.

It was the first writing tool that had, the writing end slightly worn like a brush. About 2,000 years B.C., this reed pen was first used in NEAR EAST on papyrus and later on parchment.

The Ball Point Pen JOHN LOUD, in 1888, patented the first ball point writing

tool. A ball point pen has in its point a small rotating metal ball that continually inks itself as it turns.

The ball is set into a tiny socket. In the center of the socket is a hole that feeds ink to the socket from a long tube (reservoir) inside the pen.

As early as the 19th century, attempts had been made to manufacture a pen with a rolling ball tip, but not until 1938 did Hungarian inventor GEORGE LAZLO BIRO invent a viscous, oil-based ink that could be used with such a pen.

Early ball point pens did not write well; they tended to skip, and the slow-drying oil-based ink smudged easily. However, the ball point pen had several advantages over the fountain pen:

a. The ink was waterproof and almost inerasable;b. The ball point pen could write on many kinds of surfaces

and could be hold in almost any position for writing; andc. The pressure required to feed the ink was ideal for

making carbon copies.

Ink formulas were improved for smoother flow and faster drying, and soon the ball point replaced the fountain pen as the universal writing tool.

Fiber Tip PensIn 1963, fiber tip markers were introduced into the U.S.

market and have since challenged the ball point as the principal writing implement.

The first practical fiber tip pen was invented by YUKIO HORIE of Japan in 1962. it was ideally suited to the strokes of Japanese writing, which is traditionally done with a pointed ink brush.

Unlike its predecessors, the fiber tip pen uses dye as a writing fluid. As a result, the fiber tip pen can produce a wide range of colors unavailable in ball point and fountain pen inks. The tip is made of fine nylon or other synthetic fibers drawn to a point and fastened to the barrel of the pen. Dye is fed to the point by elaborate capillary mechanism.

Felt-tip markers are made of dense natural or artificial fibers impregnated with a dye. These markers can be cut to a variety of shapes and sizes, some up to an inch in width. A modification of the ball point pen using a liquid dye fed to a metal/plastic ball was introduced in the U.S. from Japan in 1973.

The Examination and Identification of Inks:

The examination of inks often plays an important part in document examination. In this case the inks to be examined are not available in liquid form. One kind of examination centers on the question as to whether the ink of some writings or of alterations in a police blotter is identical with the ink found in the possession of the suspect.

For this reason, the examination of questioned documents is restricted to a comparative examination of certain properties of these inks. However, the examination carries with it certain difficulties as the quantity of material available for examination is small and the examination can be done only one.

It is necessary then that before a chemical examination is attempted, which results in a partial destruction of writing, an exhaustive examination by non-destructive methods be carried out.

These non-destruction methods include visual examination with the aid of a binocular microscope as well as photographic

examination. They should be used first before any chemical examination is resorted to.

It is necessary therefore to be acquainted with the composition and developmental history, method of manufacture of the types of ink most commonly used. Sometimes, antedating can only be proved by identifying a competent of the ink, which was not yet included in inks at the alleged date of the document.

Composition and Characteristics of Inks:

1. Indian InksThe oldest form of Indian ink consisted of a suspension of

carbon black (soot or lampblack) in water to which glue or a vegetable gum was added. Inks of this composition are still on the market mostly in the shape of sticks or cakes. In modern carbon ink, the glue or gum is replaced by a solution of shellac in borax or ammonia. These inks are not affected by oxidants. It is practically impossible to remove the last traces of the carbon from the paper without causing damage to it.

2. Log Wood Inks These inks which were used extensively about a century ago,

have now because obsolete and are no longer manufactured. They were made from an aqueous extract of logwood chips and potassium chromate. These inks will be found only on old.

3. Iron Gallotanate InksThis ink has been used as writing for over a thousand years.

Formerly it was made of a fermented infusion of gall nuts to which iron salts were added. The ink was composed of suspension of the black, almost insoluble ferric tannate.

The particles were kept in suspension by adding glue or gum Arabic. This manufacturing method was not economical and so it had to be changed. It was observe that if the ink was slightly acidified with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid, the oxidation of the ferrous iron was checked and the undesirable precipitation of the ferric tannate was prevented. The ink thus obtained was practically colorless and did not acquire the black color desired before it matured on paper. Coloring matter (Aniline dyes) was added to the ink as well as a sterilizing agent to prevent growth of mold and bacteria in the ink.

4. Fountain Pen InksThese inks are regarded as special fountain pen inks, and

consisting of ordinary iron gallotannate inks with a lower iron content in most cases but with a higher dyestuff content than normal inks. This type of ink is placed on the market under the name of “blue-black permanent”. The iron content range from .7 Fe/I (e.g. Parker Quink Permanent Blue) to 2.7 Fe/ I (e.g. Pelikan Fullhaltertinte).

5. Dyestuff InksThese inks are composed of aqueous solutions of synthetic

dyestuffs, to which a preservative and a flux are added. The writing qualities of the ink are improved by addition of substances such as glycerol, glucose or dextrin.

The dark blue and black inks are often composed of four or more dyes because no black dyestuff of sufficient tinctorial capacity is known.6. Water Resistant Writing and Drawing Inks

These inks are special group of dyestuff inks. They consist of a pigment paste and a solution of shellac made soluble in water by means of borax, liquid ammonia or ammonium bicarbonate. Sometimes the pigment suspension is combined with acid or basic dyestuff.

7. Alkaline Writing InksThese are quick drying inks which possesses a ph of from 9

to about 11. They penetrate quickly through the size of the paper allowing the ink to penetrate quickly into the paper. The dyestuff in these inks consists of acid dyes, sometimes combined with phthalc cyanide dyes.

These inks are not much in demand because they are rather expensive and because the material of many fountain pens is affected by them. The best known of these inks are the Parker super chrome inks which in the colors black, blue-black, blue, red and green. Phthalocyanine dye is found in the blue super chrome inks. The super chrome inks were already obtainable since 1950, which fact maybe of importance for the determination of the age of a document.

8. Ballpoint Pen InksThe ballpoint pens did not appear on the European market

before 1945. The development of the present pen was accomplished during World War II because the army and the Air Force needed a writing instrument which would not leak at high altitude and which supplied quick drying water resistant writing.

In principle, the construction of all ballpoint pens is the same. The differences are in the finish, the precision with which the instrument is made, the size and the material of the ball, and the composition of the ink. As a rule, the diameter of the ball lays between 0.6 and 1.0 mm. the cheapest makes having the largest diameter. The ball is made of steel while the more expensive makes of sapphire.

The quality of the pen is chiefly to be judged by the writing angle. The best writing angle for the ballpoint pen is 90 degrees, but a normal hand of writing seldom uses this angle. The cheaper makes have a minimum writing angle of 55-60 degrees. If one writes at too small an angle, the brass socket holding the ball will scratch a lined into the paper, parallel with the ink line.

9. Stamp Pad InksThey are made with the acid of substances such as glycerol,

glycol, acetin or benzyl alcohol and water. Airline dyes are added as coloring matter. For quick drying stamp pad inks, more volatile organic solvents are used as acetone, ethanol, etc. As a vehicle, dextrin, gum Arabic, or tennin is sometimes added. Through the addition of tannin, the stamp impression becomes water resistant after drying.

10. Hectograph Inks These inks very much resemble stamp pad inks and are

exclusively made with basic dyes. To the dyestuff solution several other substances are added such as glycerol, acetic acid and acetone.

11. Typewriter Ribbon InksThese inks are usually composed of a blend of aniline dyes,

carbon black and oil such as olein or castor oil. The two-tone

ribbons however contain no dyes, but pigments suspended in a oil base. This is necessary because aniline dyes tend to bleed and would cause the sharp division between the differently colored halves of the ribbon to merge.

12. Printing InksPrinting inks often consist of a mixture of colored

pigments, carbon black and a “base” which may consist of oil, resins, synthetic resins or a mixture of these. It is possible to remove printing ink from a document by scrubbing the document with an aqueous solution of a suitable detergent. The rubbing and breaking up of the surface of the ink and the detergent facilitates the suspension and eventual removal of the carbon and other ingredients by the water.

13. Canceling InksThese inks often contain carbon and this fact should be

burned in mind when it is required to decipher faint cancellation marks on a postage stamp and wrappers. Carbon is opaque to infra-red sensitive plate and be relied upon to improve the legibility of any marking affected by a carbon containing canceling ink.

Erasure of canceling ink on valuable stamps is usually affected by attack on the medium which bind the carbon to the surface of the stamp and it is to be regretted that many canceling inks are manufactured width media which offer resistance to attack so that the resistant carbon can simply be swabbed off. This can be usually be detected by infra-red photography which will reveal the traces of carbon, which almost invariability remain on the stamp.

14. Skrip Inks Skrip inks are manufactured by W.A. Chaffer Pen Company

since 1955. The inks contain a substance which is colorless in visible light and has a strong affinity for the fibers of the paper, and yet is not bleached by hypoclorite ink eradicators or washed out by soaking on water.

Thus if a writing with “Skrip” is obliterated with ink eradicator, the original will produce a characteristics fluorescence and can be deciphered by reviewing under filtered ultra-violet. Similarly if writing made with was able skrip is soaked in water so the invisible dye is washed out, the original record can be read clearly by filtered ultra-violet light.

The Chemical Examination of Inks:

The chemical examination of ink is indicated in the following problems:1. The chromatographic examination and separation of the dyestuff in the ink.2. The determination of the age of the ink.

TYPEWRITER/TYPEWRITING EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION

Typewriter Defined:

A machine that can reproduce printed characters on papers or that can produce printed letters and figures on paper.

Evolution of Typewriters:

Several typewriters like machines were develop during the latter part of the 17th century. The first patent, however, was

granted by QUEEN ANNE of England to HENRY MILL in 1714 for a machine designed to reproduce a letter of the alphabet.

Within the next 100 years, however, at least 50 attempts were made by various inventors to develop a typing machine. In 1829, WILLIAM AUSTIN BURT of Detroit, invented the TYPOGRAPHER.

The development of the first practical typewriter begun in 1866 by CHRISTOPHER LATHAM SHOLES and was patented in 1868. He developed the first practical typewriter in cooperation with two fellow mechanics, CARLOS GLIDEN and SAMUEL SOULE.

Six years later, Christopher Latham Sholes entered an agreement with ELIPHALET REMINGTON and SONS, GUNSMITH and SEWING MACHINES MANUFACTURERS, the company produced the REMINGTON MODEL I.

Four years later, REMINGTON MODEL II was introduced having both the lower and upper case of the alphabet. MARK TWAIN was among the first to buy a typewriter and the first to submit a typewritten manuscript to a publisher.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW recognized the importance of typewriter when he became the first writer to use it as a stage prop in Canada in 1897. When THOMAS EDISON visited Sholes to see his machine, he forecasted that typewriters would one day be operated by electricity.

Soon afterwards, Edison built such typewriter. He used a series of magnet, which made the machine large and too expensive to be marketed.

The first practical typewriter was invented in 1914 by JAMES F. SMATHERS of Kansas City. In 1933, the International Business Machines Inc. (IBM), introduced the first commercially successful electric typewriter to the business world.

The latest development in electric typewriter is one which not only eliminates type bars and movable carriages but can use six interchangeable type of typefaces.

The first basic change in typewriting operation appeared in 1961. Despite of the revolutionary advances in typewriting capabilities, one essential element has remained unchanged since the first Remington. The keyboard arrangement, nicknamed QWERTY for the top line of letters was designed to make it easier for salesmen to use the machine.

A much more efficient arrangement was devised in 1936 by AUGUST DVORAK. The process of changing over the DVORAK seemed so difficult that it was never even begun.

Identification and Examination of Typewritten Questioned Documents:

The earliest comment in writing by a document examiner on typewriting identification was made by HAGAN in 1894. He wrote that all typewriter machines even when using the same kind of type become more or less peculiar by use as to the work done by them. These peculiarities positively connect them with the printing done by the machine.

This exposition of the principles of typewriting identification was followed in 1900 by AMES who wrote that the identity of writing by different operators as well as that done

on different machines can be done with considerable degree of certainty.

Different operators have their own peculiar methods which differ widely in the location of date, address, margins, punctuation, spacing, signing as well as impressions from touch.

In several articles written between 1901 to 1907, ALBERT S. OSBORNE, the foremost document examiner of the early 20th century, define the principles of typewriting identification used today. He called it THE LANDMARKS IN TYPEWRITING IDENTIFICATION.

Typewriting Identification:

The typewriter has become an instrument of world wide importance in the correspondence and commerce of the world and therefore could be an effective screen for commuting crime.

In several articles written between 1901 and 1907, Albert S. Osborne, the foremost document examiner of the early 20th century, defined the principles points enunciated by Osborne are as follows:

a. The typefaces used by the different typewriter manufacturer can be differentiated on the basis of design and have dating significance.

b. Through usage, typewriters develop individuality which can serve to identify the typewriting of a particular typewriter.

c. The gradual development of typewriting individuality plus ribbon condition and typeface. Cleanliness can be used to date a document of fix it written a period of time.

d. Horizontal and vertical alignment, tilting characters, lack of uniformity of impression (off-footedness), typeface score, breads, defects and deformities all serve to identify the typewriting of a particular machine.

e. Peculiar habits of striking the typewriter keys, spacing,arrangement,punctuation, mistakes, corrections, can be used to identify a typist or differentiate typists.

f. A sheet of paper cannot be reinserted in a typewriter in exact register with previous typing done on the sheet of paper.

Classification of Typewriters as to Typeface:

a. Pica Type – the typefaces are spaced ten characters to the horizontal inch.b. Elite Type – the typefaces are spaced twelve characters to the horizontal.

Identification of Typewriter by the Defects of the Stroke:

The identification of a typewriter consist first of the preliminary examination of the questioned document in which the general characteristics such as the style, the dimension of the characters, the spacing and the design of the letters. This important phase of work enables document examiner to eliminate numerous suspect typewriters keeping only those of the same make and model as that of the suspected typewriters provided however they are equipped with the same characters.

The defects of the typewriter maybe compared to ailment or sickness and congenital deformation while its translation on the paper be compared to symptoms of the defects. This comparison has the advantage of sorting out the exact conditions of the control of questioned typewritten documents as follows:

a. First, it will show the actual state of the typewriter and consequently that the aspect of the stroke is not immutable but evolves progressively so that a good identification needs the comparison of documents from sufficiently adjacent period.

b. It show that the expert do not see the defect of the typewriter right away but only its translation on the paper by a writing anomaly of which he must appreciate the cause. Like in medicine, a given symptom maybe common to several ailments and inversely the same ailments maybe accompanied at certain movements by different symptoms.

c. Lastly, it will explain that certain anomalies are not even ascribable to an organic cause of the typewriter but to a phenomenon outside it. For example, an error of manipulation by the typist may give some anomalies of the stroke and have no connection with the mechanism of the typewriter itself. Others are due to a temporary sickness such as a torn ribbon which will give an incomplete impression of the character or dust which may choke the mechanism of the stroke. It is only the permanent faults which permit of a positive identification.

Terminologies in Typewriting Examinations:

Alignment Defect – Include character which writes improperly in the following respects: a twisted letter, horizontal mal-alignment, vertical mal-alignment and a character special adjustment to the type block.

Carbon Impression – Any typewriting which is placed on the paper by action of the typefaces striking through carbon paper is classed as a carbon impression. Generally, carbon impression is “Carbon Copies” but sometimes original typewritings are made directly through a carbon paper copy.

Character - In connection with typewriting identification the terms “Character” is used to include either letters, symbols, numerals or point of punctuation.

Clogged (Dirty) Typefaces – With use the typefaces becomes filled with lint, dirty and ink, particularly in enclosed letters such as the o, e, p, and g. In this condition is allowed to progress without cleaning, there comes a time when the written impression actually print with the clogged areas shaded on a solid block.

Defects – The term defect describes any abnormality or mal-adjustment in a typewriter which is reflected in its works and which leads to its individualization or identification.

Horizontal Mal-adjustment – An alignment defect in which the character prints to the right or left of its proper position.

Mal-alignment – Is synonymous with the term “Alignment Defects”.

Off its Feet – The condition of a typeface printing heavier on one side or corner than over the remainder of its outline.

Permanent Defect – Any identifying characteristics of a typewriter which cannot be corrected by simply cleaning the typeface or replacing the ribbon is classed permanent defect. Actually, this term is not absolutely accurate since all defects in typewriters undergo modification and change in time.

Platen – The cylinder which serve as the backing of the paper and which absorbs the blow from the typeface.

Proportional Spacing Typewriting – A modern form of typewriting which resembles printing in that all of the horizontal space as they do with the conventional typewriter, for example, the “i” occupies two units, the “o” three and “m” five. A typewriter of this design is known as a proportional spacing machine.

Rebound – A defect in which a character prints a double impression with the lighter one slightly offset to the right or left.Ribbon Condition – Typewriter ribbons gradually deteriorate with use and the degree of determination is a measure of the ribbon condition.

Ribbon Impression – Typewriting which is made directly through a cloth ribbon.

Transitory Defects – An identifying typewriter characteristic which can be eliminated by cleaning.

Typeface – The printing surface of the type block is known as the typeface, with most modern typewriter this block is attached at the end of a movable arm or type bar which propels the typeface against the ribbon and paper to make the typewriter impression.

Typeface Defects – Any peculiarity of typewriting caused by actual damage to the typeface metal. These defects maybe actual breaks in the outline of the letter where the metal has been chipped away sometimes referred to as broken type, or they may be distorted outlines of the letter where the typeface metal has become bent or smashed, they can only be corrected by replacing the type block.

Twisted Letter – Each letter and character is designed to print a certain fixed angle to the baseline, due to wear, and damage to the type bars and the type block, some letters become twisted so that they lean to the right or left of their correct slant.

Vertical Mal-alignment – A character printing above or below its proper position has the quality of vertical mal-alignment.

Identification of Typewritten Documents:

As a preliminary step in the identification of typewriting, it is necessary to establish that the style and size of the letters and numerals are the same and that both the letter spacing and the line spacing are the same.

In order to make a further study leading either towards an identification or non-identification such instrument as magnifying lenses, microscopes and various kinds of measuring devices are used. These instruments make it possible to study the following:

a. Slant – A study is made of each character to determine to what extent if any, it leans either to the right or to the left.

b. Alignment – If a typewriter is in proper alignment each character should strike in the center of an imaginary rectangle.

c. Footing – A letter may strike heavier either on the right, on the left, on the top, or on the bottom.

d. Defects in the Typefaces – These may be brought about either through mistreatment or as a result of ordinary wear and tear.

When Questioned Typewriting is Compared With Known Typewritten Exemplars, 3 General Areas of Examination are Made:

1. Size and spacing (vertical and horizontal)2. Type style3. Unique identifying characteristics – character and

alignment defects

Nine Points That Maybe Involve in Questioned Typewriting:

1. That of ascertaining the exact date of such typewriting.2. Whether every line of the document was written at one time.3. Whether the various lines of the document were written at different time by the same machine.4. Whether the document was written at different times by several machine.5. Whether spurious, typewritten pages have been substituted or inserted in the document.6. Whether interlineations have been added to the original document.7. Whether additional words of sentences have been written at the end of the paragraph.8. Whether the entire document was written by one machine.9. Whether the document was written by a particular suspected typewriter.

Principal Typewriting Question That Maybe resolved in Typewriting Examination:

1. To determine whether an evidence typewriting was accomplished on a suspected typewriter.2. To determine whether an evidential typewriting prepared as a known typewriter was actually typewritten on its purported date.3. To determine whether all of typewriting was prepared by a suspected typist.4. To determine the make or brand of the typewriter on which a questioned typewriting was prepared.

ARAULLO UNIVERSITYPhinma Education Network

CABANATUAN CITY

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

REVIEW QUESTIONAIRES IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTSPrepared By: Randy M. Maure

INSTRUCTIONS: Select the best answer for each of the following questions.

1. Is concerned with the examination of forged, altered or suspected papers to see if they are genuine or if they have been changed.

a. Documents falsificationb. Estafac. Forgeryd. Questioned documents examination

2. Defined as a visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost unconscious expression of fixed muscular muscles.

a. Speed of writingb. Handwritingc. Natural writingd. Writing habits

3. A document completely written and signed by one person is known as:

a. Holographic documentb. Disputed documentc. Questioned documentd. None of the above

4. It is the deterioration in writing caused by excessive consumption of alcohol.

a. Intoxicated writingb. Receipt writingc. Careless writingd. Illiterate writing

5. It includes characters which write improperly in the following aspects: a twisted letter, horizontal mal-alignment, vertical mal-alignment and a character “off-its feet”.

a. Carbon impressionb. Clogged typefacec. Characterd. Alignment defect

6. In writing, it functions as an extension of the hand.a. Paperb. Shoulderc. Pen

d. Elbow

7. Any typewriting which is placed on the paper by action of the typefaces striking through carbon paper is classed as:

a. Characterb. Carbon impressionc. Clogged typefaced. Defects

8. Writings produced by the subject after evidential writings have come into dispute.

a. Collectedb. Post liten motanc. Requestd. None of the above

9. A traced forgery of signature is not really writing but:a. Retouchingb. Drawingc. Patchingd. Tremor of fraud

10. A group of muscles which push up the pen to form the upward strokes.

a. Flaxenb. Flexorc. Extensord. Strokes

11. Who first invented the paper more than 2000 years ago?a. Indiansb. Babyloniansc. Americansd. Chinese

12. Handwriting written by an individual upon request for the purpose of comparison with other handwriting.

a. Collectedb. Procuredc. Requestd. Post liten motan

13. In connection with typewriting identification, it includes letters, symbols, numerals, or point of punctuation.

a. Defectsb. Horizontal mal-alignmentc. Characterd. Clogged typeface

14. It is mostly employed in vertical writing and mainly in the formation of printed styles of writing.

a. Whole forearm movementb. Hand movementc. Forearm movementd. Finger movement

15. Term describe as: the typefaces become filled with lint, dirt, and ink particularly in enclosed letters such as the o, e, p, g, and others.

a. Clogged typefaceb. Horizontal mal-alignmentc. Defectsd. Mal-alignment

16. Handwriting of individual written in the course of daily life, both business and social.

a. Collectedb. Procuredc. Requestd. Letter a and b

17. Refers to the proportion of the strokes to each other in width as affected shading.

a. Pen pressureb. Pen writingc. Pen liftingd. Pen strokes

18. Writing movement employed by those with whom writing is an unfamiliar process, it is otherwise called as “push and pull writing”.

a. Fingerb. Forearmc. Handd. Whole forearm

19. Forged signature made by free hand movement and constant practiced is called:

a. Traced forgeryb. Simulated forgeryc. Simple forgeryd. Spurious signature

20. They are known writing which indicates how a person writes. a. Standardb. Exemplarsc. Natural writingd. Letter a and b

21. This term describes any abnormality or maladjustment in a typewriter which is reflected in its work and which leads to its individualization or identification.

a. Horizontal mal-alignmentb. Off-its feetc. Mal-alignmentd. Defects

22. It involves the action of hand as a whole with the fingers playing but a minor role.

a. Finger movementb. Forearm movementc. Hand movementd. Whole forearm movement

23. A term synonymous with the term alignment defects.a. Malnourishedb. Defectsc. Mal-alignmentd. Alignment

24. The special way in which the various muscles used in writing work together to produced written forms.

a. Rhythmb. Motor coordinationc. Handwritingd. Arcade

25. What was done, when one retouches or goes back over a defective portion of a writing stroke?

a. Retracingb. Patchingc. Pressuringd. Shading

26. The flexor and extensor muscles when combined with numerical muscles it forms what?

a. Lateral strokesb. Diagonal strokesc. Vertical strokesd. Horizontal strokes

27. The condition of a typeface printing heavier on one side or corner than over the remainder of its outline.

a. Off-its feetb. Platenc. Permanent defectd. Proportional spacing

28. Writing is produced by the movement of the hand and arm and also fingers in some cases.

a. Whole forearm movementb. Hand movementc. Forearm movementd. Finger movement

29. What type of forgery is made when the writer’s exerts no effort to effect resemblance or facsimile between the forged and the genuine signatures?

a. Simpleb. Simulatedc. Tracedd. Spurious

30. Types of connections characterized by rounded stroke shaped like an arch.

a. Angularb. Threadlikec. Garlandd. Arcade

31. Is any written statement by which a right is established or an obligation extinguished; it is a deed, instrument or other duly authorized paper by which something is proved or set forth?

a. Documentb. Tabletc. Rubricd. Contact

32. Is a succession of connected, uniform strokes working in full coordination?

a. Rhythmb. Writingc. Strokesd. Finger movement

33. Refers to the slope of the handwriting in relation to the base line.

a. Spacingb. Slant

c. Skillsd. Strokes

34. Types of connections characterized by links downward strokes to the upstrokes with a flowing curve swinging from left to right.

a. Angularb. Threadlikec. Garlandd. Arcade

35. Any identifying characteristics of a typewriter which cannot be corrected by simply cleaning the typeface or replacing the ribbon.

a. Mal-alignmentb. Temporary defectsc. Defectsd. Permanent defects

36. It involves the actions of the entire arm without rest and is employed in very large writing.

a. Finger movementb. Forearm movementc. Hand movementd. Whole forearm movement

37. The cylinder which serves as the backing of the paper and which absorbs the blow from the typeface is known as:

a. Pletesmographb. Rollerc. Cylinder cone d. Platen

38. Kind of writing characterized by disconnected style.a. Cursiveb. Blockc. Scriptd. Capitalized

39. What is that interruption in a stroke, caused by sudden removal of the writing instrument from the paper surface?

a. Tremorb. Retouching

c. Pen lifting d. Hiatus

40. Children learn writing by following the school copy model. This statement is.

a. Trueb. Partially truec. Falsed. Partially false

41. A kind of document which is executed by a private person without the intervention of a notary public, or of competent public official, by which some disposition or agreement is proved, evidence or set forth.

a. Private documentb. Public documentc. Official documentd. Commercial document

42. Qualities of strokes characterized by movement is extended or limited in its range.

a. Pressureb. Expansionc. Speedd. Coordination

43. Any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is written separately is a form of:

a. Cursiveb. Writingc. Drawingd. Hand lettering

44. The path which is traced by the pen on the paper.a. Rhythmb. Directionc. Strokesd. Coordination

45. What is that introductory up and down stroke found in almost all capital letters?

a. Hitchb. Beardc. Humpsd. Buckle knot

46. Writing movement characterized by poor quality of writing with lack of rhythm and speed.

a. Fingerb. Forearmc. Handd. Rhythm

47. A kind of document in which public officials participated.a. Public documentb. Official documentc. Private documentd. Commercial document

48. A group of muscles which push the pen to from the downward strokes.

a. Extensorb. Flexorc. Flaxend. Rhythm

49. A kind of document which is executed by person in authority by private parties but not notarized by notaries public or by competent officials.

a. Public documentb. Official documentc. Private documentd. Commercial document

50. May be committed in two ways: 1.) by giving to a treasury or bank notes or any instrument payable to bearer or two order, and the appearance of a genuine document; and 2.) by erasing, substituting, counterfeiting, or altering by any means, the figures, letters, words, or signs contained therein.

a. Falsifications of documentsb. Questioned documents examinationc. Forgery

d. Estafa

51. A defect in which a character prints a double impression with the lighter one slightly offset to the right or left.

a. Reboundb. Typefacec. Boundingd. Breechface

52. Philippine paper bills are printed in what process.a. Intaglio processb. Off-set processc. Lithographic processd. All of the above

53. Strokes which goes back over another writing strokes and which is slightly to occur due to lack of movement control?

a. Retouchingb. Retracingc. Shadingd. Patching

54. May be committed in the following means: 1.) counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric; 2.) causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did not in fact so participated; 3.) etc… nevertheless it applies to documents whether private, public, official or commercial documents.

a. Falsifications of documentsb. Questioned documents examinationc. Forgeryd. Estafa

55. A kind of document which is recognized by the Code of Commerce and other Mercantile Laws.

a. Private documentb. Commercial documentc. Public documentd. Official document

56. In addition to its use in developing secret writings, iodine fumes can be used to.

a. Determine if erasures have been made on a documentb. Determine the kind of papers used in writingc. Determine the kind of ink used in writingd. Determine the personal character of the author

57. Writing in which letters is open or the most part is joined together?

a. Cursiveb. Signaturec. Disguisedd. Hand lettering

58. Stroke where the motion of the pen precedes the beginning and continues beyond the end to a vanishing point and are found on free natural writing and as a rule are important indication of genuineness.

a. Ending strokeb. Flying starts and finishc. Terminal stroked. Pen movement

59. What is that which widens the ink strokes due to the added pressure on a flexible pen point?

a. Pen pressureb. Shadingc. Pen liftingd. Retouching

60. Of the following the most reliable single criterion in judging the authenticity of paper money is the…..

a. Arrangement of the red and blue threadsb. Wet strength of the paperc. Quality of the engravingd. Color of the seal

61. Is an exemplar that has been obtained from an official record, personal letter, or any other document that is known to have been written by the suspect, when the suspect refuses to write an exemplar, when the suspect is not available, or when the investigation is conducted without the knowledge of the suspect?

a. Collected standard documentb. Questioned documentc. Simulated documentd. All of the foregoing

62. A sign of forgery in guided hand signature is:a. Good pen controlb. Disconnected strokec. Uneven alignmentd. Slanting strokes

63. Typewriting which is made directly through a cloth ribbon is called as the:

a. Characterb. Typefacec. Reboundd. Ribbon impression

64. In connection with the analysis of questioned documents, which of the following is least likely to be successful?

a. Establishment of the age of inkb. Determination of make and age of typewriterc. Restitution of the erased or eradicated writingd. Identifying the peculiarity of an individual

65. It is an instrument that can be legally used in comparisons with a questioned document; its origin is known and can be proven.

a. Simulated documentb. Standard documentc. Forged documentd. Falsified document

66. Paper which has been treated in such a way as to minimize the change of a successful forgery by erasure, whether mechanical or chemical, being carried out on any document of which it forms the basis called:

a. Chemical paperb. Safety paperc. Tested paperd. Polyethylene coated paper

67. The printing surface of the type block is known as:a. Type line

b. Typefacec. Ribbond. Type block

68. What system of handwriting classification based on the following factors: forms, skill combination, shading movement, slant, terminals and embellishment; has proved useful to police departments in large cities…..

a. Sir Edward Richard Henryb. Lee and Abbeyc. Rolando Wilsond. Landsteiner and Levine

69. Those are symbols added to complete certain letters such as “i” and “t”.

a. Spur marksb. Loop marksc. Diacritical marksd. Hiatus marks

70. Handwriting samples of the same writer may vary somewhat according to the conditions under which the wring was done. In which of the following classes of writers are such variations in genuine writing likely to occur?

a. Men writersb. Women writersc. Practiced writerd. Semi-illiterate or unpracticed writer

71. This group of document includes those papers which the entire writing is in question as spurious, forged or counterfeit in its entirely fall into.

a. Wills and testamentsb. Questioned documents c. Stroke of writingd. None of the foregoing

72. A modern pen nib which contains a reservoir of ink in a specially designed back or chamber is described as:

a. Ball point penb. Fountain penc. Pencild. Fiber pen

73. Any peculiarity of typewriting caused by actual damage to the typeface metal block is known as:

a. Temporary defectsb. Permanent defectsc. Typeface defectsd. Ribbon defects

74. In which of the following respects is forged handwriting most likely to differ from the genuine writing which the forgery attempts to imitate?

a. Over all flow or running qualityb. Average height and breadth of lettersc. Starting finishing tails or extraneous flourishesd. Width of pen or pencil lines

75. It is the failure to complete the junction between two letters without lifting the pen.

a. Spurb. Hiatus

c. Humpsd. Loops

76. What is that indelible ink whose marking substance is composed of mixture of aniline ink and graphite?

a. Stencilb. Printer’s inkc. Nut gall inkd. Copy pencil

77. May be accomplished by the insertion of a word, phrase, or sentence between two lines of the original writing.

a. Forgeryb. Intercalation c. Substitutiond. Insertion

78. One of the unconscious and inconspicuous writing habits of an individual and are often entirely disregarded in simulated writing.

a. Pen pressureb. Pen liftingc. Pen writingd. Pen strokes

79. Is a specimen of writing prepared with deliberate intent of altering the usual writing habits in the hope of hiding his identity?

a. Disguised writingb. Natural writingc. Guided writingd. Assisted writing

80. A condition of coin when it is made of metal, whether or inferior or superior intrinsic value to that of the genuine coin and is given the appearance of one legal tender….

a. Mutilated coinb. Priceless coinc. False or counterfeit coind. All of the foregoing

81. What is a specimen of writing in which the letter are disconnected in form?

a. Cursiveb. Manuscriptc. Hand letteringd. Block capital

82. It is the act of diminishing by ingenious means the metal in the coin; to take advantage if the metal abstracted; he appropriates a part of the metal of the coin, hence the coin diminishes in intrinsic value.

a. Mutilation of coinsb. Priceless coinsc. Counterfeit or false coinsd. None of the foregoing

83. Refers to properties or marks, elements or qualities which serve to distinguish known as the basis of identification.

a. Characteristicsb. Individual characteristicsc. Class characteristicsd. Sample

84. In order to sustain a charge for an offense under Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code, the possession of the false treasury and blank notes must be coupled with……

a. The intention to keep it at homeb. The intent to use the same c. Intent to surrender the same to proper authoritiesd. All of the foregoing

85. Is an irregularity in strokes characterized by shaky or wavering stroke which is perfectly apparent even without magnification?

a. Genuine tremorb. Tremor of illiteracyc. Tremord. Tremor of fraud

86. A type of forgery which involves fraudulent signature executed by actually following the outline of a genuine signature with a writing instrument?

a. Carbon outline processb. Indention processc. Laseredd. Traced

87. Refers to the study of one’s handwriting in attempting to determine one’s personality.

a. Agraphicab. Graphologyc. Chromatographyd. Handwriting identification

88. A classification of falsification that for the act to be punished, it must be shown that some prejudice or damage to a third party must have been caused or intended to be caused…..

a. Falsification of private documentb. Falsification of official documentc. Falsification of public documentd. Falsification of commercial document

89. Refers to the usual or normal deviation found in a repeated specimen of individual’s handwriting.

a. Natural variationb. Transitory changec. Permanent damaged. Temporary defect

90. An autopsy report is an example of what kind of evidence?a. Documentaryb. Testimonialc. Experimentald. Object/real

91. A type of conventional typewriter in which the characters are normally space 12 in one horizontal inch.

a. Picab. Elitec. Proportional spacing machined. Computer

92. A classification of falsification in which damage is immaterial, for what is important is violation of public faith, and the destruction of the truth, and the change must affect the integrity of the document…..

a. Falsification of commercial documentb. Falsification of official documentc. Falsification of public documentd. Falsification of private document

93. Is a typeface defects in which the letters are printed to the right or left of its proper position.

a. Vertical maladjustmentb. Horizontal maladjustmentc. Twisted letterd. Off-its feet

94. A modern form of typewriting which resembles printing in that all of the letters, numerals and symbols do not occupy the same horizontal space as they do with the conventional typewriter.

a. Conventional typewritingb. Proportional spacing typewritingc. Typewriting identificationd. Document typewriting

95. Known as the father of questioned document.a. Albert S. Osbornb. John Augustusc. Dr. Hans Grossd. Orway Hilton

96. What is the first step in the procurement of typewriting exemplars?

a. Procurement of the suspected typewriterb. Acquisition of typewriting exemplarsc. Study of the questioned typewritingd. Preparation of exemplars

97. Specimen of writing was executed in the regular course of once activities.

a. Requestedb. Collectedc. Executed at one timed. Day to day standard

98. As a rule, it is easier to determine whether or not a signature is forgery, but it is very difficult on the other hand to establish who committed the forgery because:

a. The forger might be left handedb. Imitation is one of the most effective means to disguise one’s handwritingc. It might be traced forgeryd. There could be no sufficient standard available

99. Is the type of writing movement that gives a great freedom of movement and considered as the most skillful type of movement.

a. Finger movementb. Hand movementc. Forearm movementd. Whole arm movement

100. When document examiners as well as police are dealing with documents, the most common problem they encountered are those concerning:

a. Originb. Counterfeitc. Authorshipd. Content (alteration)

101. The art of determining character disposition of a person from the study of writing.

a. Graphoanalysisb. Graphometryc. Graphologyd. None of these

102. This group includes all papers on which it is alleged that some changes have been made fraudulently by erasure, addition, or substituting, or substitution, etc.

a. Handwriting specimenb. Countersignedc. Document on which the signature is questionedd. Document containing alleged fraudulent alteration

103. Represents the reach of the hand with the wrist at rest.a. Pen positionb. Pen emphasisc. Pen pressured. Pen scope

104. Are meant to those grace lines, superfluous strokes and are useful only for ornamentation are not essential to the legibility of the signatures and usually occurs among writers who attempt to express some phase of their personalities.

a. Diacritical marksb. Embellishmentsc. Idiosyncrasiesd. Flourishing strokes

105. The extra deposit of ink in the initial and terminal strokes due to the slow withdrawal of the pen from the paper.

a. Hump b. Hookc. Knobd. Foot

106. Is one of the most expensive instruments used for examination of documents that would show three dimensional enlargements?

a. Polarizing lightb. Infra-red gadgetc. Stereoscopic microscoped. Ultra-violet light

107. The main portion of the letter minus the initial end stroke.a. Body b. Beadedc. Bluntd. Beard

108. Fraudulent tampering with a document often involves two kinds of erasures, namely;

a. Mechanical and chemical erasuresb. Electronic and chemical erasuresc. Electronic and Mechanical erasuresd. All of the foregoing

109. It is a minute curve on an ankle which often occurs at the end of the terminal strokes.

a. Humpb. Hook

c. Hiatusd. Foot

110. The process of making out what is eligible or what has been effaced.

a. Deciphermentb. Ciphermentc. Decipherd. Cipher

111. The average force with which the pen contacts the paper maybe estimated from the examination of the writing.

a. Pen scope b. Pen emphasisc. Pen position d. Pen pressure

112. Is the combination of the basic designs of letter and the writing movements involved in the writing?

a. Copy book formb. System of writingc. Writing movementd. Line quality

113. The angle or inclination of the axis of the letters relative to the baseline

a. Slope b. Slantc. Strokesd. Both a and b

114. A kind of erasure through the use of a rubber eraser, sharp knife, razor blade or picking instrument.

a. Chemical erasureb. Electronic erasurec. Mechanical erasured. All of the foregoing

115. The elements of writing movement which is marked by regular or periodic recurrences.

a. Retracingb. Rhythmc. Retouchingd. Alignment

116. Is one which contains some change either as an addition or deletion?

a. Tracedb. Forgedc. Genuined. Altered document

117. The act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper surface with increase pressure.

a. Pen pressureb. Pen scopec. Pen Emphasisd. Pen position

118. What is that type of signature which has been made in a particular date, time, place, and at a particular purpose of recording it?

a. Model signature

b. Standard signaturec. Evidential signatured. Guided signature

119. The critical composition on side by side examination.a. Compositionb. Collationc. Examinationd. Collection

120. A kind of erasure by using ink eradicator or blending agent.a. Chemical erasureb. Electronic erasurec. Mechanical erasured. None of the foregoing

121. Any repeated elements of details of writing, which may serve to individualize it.

a. Hesitationb. Hiatusc. Habitsd. Hook

122. Is outer portion of a curve bend or crook?a. Humpsb. Staff/stem/shankc. Whirld. Central part

123. Going back over a defective portion of a written stroke a. Pen Scopeb. Retracec. Retracingd. Patching

124. Is a light examination in which a source of illumination strikes the surface of the paper from the back or at the bottom, usually designed in identification of water markings?

a. Direct lightb. Oblique lightc. Side lightd. Transmitted light

125. An interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing instrument from the paper

a. Pen jumpb. Pen liftc. Pen scoped. Pen position

126. An eligible form of a writing which is characterized by partially visible depression appearing underneath the original writing.

a. Invisible writingb. Obliterated writingc. Indented writingd. Contact writing

127. The relations of parts of the whole of writing or line of individual letters in words to the baseline

a. Alignmentb. Tickc. Baseline

d. Characteristics

128. Is the visible record of the written strokes resulting from a combination of various factors associated to the motion of the pen? Is the overall quality of the strokes?

a. Movementb. Writing habitsc. Line habitsd. Significant writing habits

129. The study of handwriting based on the two fundamental strokes, the curve and the straight.

a. Graphologyb. Graphoanalysisc. Graphometryd. None of the these

130. What is that substance which is capable of bleaching an ink?a. Sympathetic inka. Ink eradicatorc. Superimposing inkd. Invisible ink

131. One in which the facts appearing therein are not true, and are contested either in whole or in part with respect to its authenticity.

a. Questioned Documentsb. Holographic Writingc. Document d. Notarial Will

132. Is the type of light examination best used in deciphering an obliterated writing and charred document?

a. Ultra-violet lightb. Transmitted lightc. Infra-red lightd. X-ray

133. Any material containing marks, symbols or signs either visible partially visible that may present a meaning to someone.

a. Questioned Documentsb. Holographic c. Document d. Notarial

134. Is the type of writing movement that gives a great freedom of movement. Also considered as the most skillful type of movement.

a. Finger movementb. Forearm movementc. Hand movementd. Whole arm movement

135. Any instrument notarized by a notary public or competent official with solemnities required by law.

a. Public b. Privatec. Official d. Commercial

136. Is a type of abnormality/defects in typewriter that can easily be corrected by simply cleaning the machine or replacing the ribbon?

a. Temporary defectsb. Clogged typefacec. Permanent defectsd. Actual breakage

137. Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimen which adequate and proper.

a. Document b. Holographicc. Notariald. Standard Document

138. A coin is said to be, when it is made of metal, whether inferior or superior intrinsic value so that of the genuine coin, and is given the appearance of one legal tender.

a. False or counterfeit coinb. Mutilation of coinc. Forgedd. Falsified

139. Any writing executed normally without any attempt to control or alter it identifying habits.

a. Writing b. Disguised writing c. Handwritingd. Natural writing

140. It is the act of diminishing, by ingenious means, the metal in the coin.

a. False or counterfeit coinb. Mutilation of coinc. Forgeryd. Falsification

141. The path traced by the pen on the papera. Stroke b. Printsc. Slantd. Beard

142. This is committed whenever the offender makes or imitates a treasury or bank notes or certificates, of giving it the appearance of one that is genuine.

a. Falsification of documentb. Forgeryc. Intercalationd. Rubric

143. The rudimentary initial upstroke of a letter.a. Beadedb. Bluntc. Beardd. Body

144. This crime is committed by counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric; causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did not in fact so participate; etc.

a. Falsification of documentb. Forgeryc. Intercalationd. Copying

145. It is the visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost subconscious expression of fixed mental expression of certain ideas associated with script.

a. Writing b. Typewritingc. Alignmentd. Handwriting