SOLIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

Questioned
Document
Examination

INTRODUCTION: QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

Documents may possess certain crucial information Other common tasks include- determining what has

that may help in the conduct of investigation of a criminal or civil happened to a document, determining when a document was

case. The suicide note found next to the deceased for example produced, or deciphering information on the document that has

may provide significant leads in the development of a criminal been obscured, obliterated, or erased. Therefore, as a forensic

case—was it actually written by a killer trying to cover up his scientist must be capable of integrating knowledge and skills in

crime? The bank robber’s hold-up note—does it contain invisible the examination, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and

impressions that indicate the address of the hideout? The will of testimonial support of evidence. Forensic document examiner

a wealthy person—was it altered so a relative could receive a is intimately linked to the legal system as a forensic scientist.

windfall? This discipline is known also by many names including

The term "forensic" means simply, "having to do with 'forensic document examination', 'document examination',

the law.". Document Examination, as an established field of 'diplomatics', 'handwriting examination', or sometimes

scientific study, came into being early in this century as a means 'handwriting analysis', although the latter term is not often used

of identifying forgery and establishing the authenticity of as it may be confused with graphology.

documents in dispute. It developed from the Court not able to THE FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER
______________________________________________
correctly evaluate document for forgery. Its primary purpose is to .
An expert forensic document examiner refers to a
provide evidence about a suspicious or questionable document
person who studies & questioned all aspects of a document to
using scientific processes and methods. Evidence might include
determine its authenticity, origin, handwriting, photocopies, inks
alterations, the chain of possession, damage to the document,
and papers to testify in the court. A forensic document examiner
forgery, origin, authenticity, or other questions that come up
is intimately linked to the legal system as a forensic scientist.
when a document is challenged in court.
.

References:
1. RK Manwong
2. Wikipedia
 SOLIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

A Forensic Document Examiner must have a sound basic

It states that an examiner "makes scientific examinations,
education through the baccalaureate degree. The typical training
comparisons, and analyses of documents to:
period is two years of study and practical experience in an
(1) Establish genuineness or nongenuineness, or to expose
established questioned documents laboratory where the examiner
forgery, or to reveal alterations, additions or deletions;
trainee studies the basic literature, completes study projects,
(2). Identify or eliminate persons as the source of handwriting;
becomes familiar with the role of forensic sciences in general and
identify or eliminate the source of typewriting or other
questioned documents in particular as they relate to the legal
impression, marks, or relative evidence; an
system. (US Legal, Inc. 2001-2014 )
(3). Write reports or give testimony, when needed, to aid the
A document examiner is often asked to determine if a
users of the examiner's services in understanding the
questioned item originated from the same source as the known
examiner's findings.
item(s), then present their opinion on the matter in court as an

expert winess.

SCOPE OF DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

A forensic document examiner is intimately linked to the

legal system as a forensic scientist. Forensic science is the application

of science to address issues under consideration in the legal system.

FDEs examine items (documents) that form part of a case that may

or may not come before a court of law.

Common criminal charges involved in a document

examination case fall into the "white-collar crime" category. These

include identity theft, forgery, counterfeiting, fraud, or uttering a

forged document. Questioned documents are often important in

other contexts simply because documents are used in so many

contexts and for so many purposes. For example, a person may

commit murder and forge a suicide note. This is an example where a

document is produced directly as a fundamental part of a crime.

More often a questioned document is simply the by-product of

normal day-to-day business or personal activities.

References:
1. RK Manwong
2. Wikipedia
 SOLIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

LESSON ONE:
I. GENERAL TERMINOLOGIES
In this section we will going to discuss some basic terminologies that is relevant to the study of Questioned Document
Examination. First, let us define what do we mean by DOCUMENT.

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

What stated above is the general definition of the wod “DOCUMENT”. Base to the abovementioned description, document
may applies to writings; to words printed, lithographed, or photographed; to maps or plans; to seals, plates, or even stones on which
inscriptions are cut or engraved. Inshort, anything that conveys and contain a message or a meaning is considered document.

It is also believed that the english word “DOCUMENT” was derived from the following foreign terminologies:
• Latin word “DOCUMENTUM”, means “lesson, or example (in Medieval Latin “instruction, or official paper”), OR
• French word “DOCERE”, means to teach.

Now, how about QUESTIONED DOCUMENT? To what does it refers to and how can a mere document becomes a questioned
document?

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

A document may be treated as questioned document if such, in its entirety, or in part, is subject to question as to authenticity
and/or origin. Like for example, if a document contain any signature, handwriting, typewriting, or other marks whose source or
authenticity is in dispute or is doubtful.

Below are the other terminologies relevant to our course:

 DISPUTED DOCUMENT. A term suggesting that there is an argument or controversy over the document, and strictly
speaking this is true meaning. In this text, as well as through prior usage, however, “disputed document” and “questioned
document” are used interchangeably to signify a document that is under special scrutiny.
 STANDARD a.k.a. STANDARD DOCUMENT. Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimens which, if adequate
and proper, should contain a cross section of the material from a known source.
o "Standard" in questioned documents investigation, we mean those things whose origins are known and can be
proven and which can be legally used as examples to compare with other matters in question. Usually a
standard consist of the known handwriting of a person such case, "standard" has the same meaning as is
understood by the word "specimen" of handwriting.
 EXEMPLAR. A term used by some document examiners and attorneys to characterize known material. Standard is the
older term.
 HOLOGRAPHIC DOCUMENT. Any document completely written and signed by one person; also known as a holograph. In a
number of jurisdictions a holographic will can be probated without anyone having witnessed its execution.
 REFERENCE COLLECTION. Material compiled and organized by the document examiner to assist him in answering special
questions. Reference collections of typewriting, check writing specimens, inks, pens, pencils, and papers are frequently
maintained.

II. THE MAJOR COMPONENT OF A DOCUMENT

The 3 basic elements require to produce a writing are:
References:
1. RK Manwong
2. Wikipedia
 SOLIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

1) The writing surface

 PAPER. These are sheets 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.
2) The transfer medium
 INK. Is a liquid solution containing dyes and/or puigment used to make visible marks on a writing surface.
3) The writing instrument
 WRITING INSTRUMENT. An object used to produce writing.

III. KINDS OF DOCUMENT

Under the Philippine law there are four kinds of documents. Listed below are the different kinds of document and their
definition:
1. PUBLIC DOCUMENT - notarized by a notary public or competent public official with solemnities required by law.(Cacnio vs.
Baens, 5 Phil. 742)
2. OFFICIAL DOCUMENT - issued by the government or its agents or its officers having the authority to do so and the offices,
which in accordance with their creation, they are authorized to issue and be issued in the performance of their duties.
3. PRIVATE DOCUMENT -executed by a private person without the intervention of a notary public or of any person legally
authorized, by which documents, some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth (US vs Orera, 11 Phil.
596).
4. COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT - executed in accordance with the Code of Commerce or any Mercantile Law, containing
disposition of commercial rights or obligations.

Due to the technological advancement, E-DOCUMENT was formed. It is basically a new kind of document which
is a shortcut for Electronic Document which is commonly refers to any electronic media content (other than computer
programs or system files) that is intended to be used in either an electronic form or as printed output.

Take Note: CAN A PRIVATE DOCUMENT BECOME A PUBLIC OR OFFICIAL DOCUMENT?

The answer is YES! When a private document partakes the nature of a public or official record. So if the falsifications
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.

IV. LEGAL ASPECT OF DOCUMENTS

According to several court ruling, Document may also be defined as:
1. In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA, 338 O.G. 119: Any written document by which a right is established or an obligation is
extinguished.
2. In the case of People vs. Nillosquin, CA, 48 O.G. 4453: Every deed or instrument executed by person by which some
disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or setforth.
3. In relation to Criminal Jurisprudence under the Best Evidence rule: Any physical embodiment of information or ideas; e.g. a
letter, a contract, a receipt, a book of account, a blur print, or an X-ray plate (Black’s Law Dictionary).

WRITINGS WHICH DO NOT CONSTITUTE DOCUMENTS – The following are not legally considered as dicument based on some
Supreme Court Rulings.
1. A draft of a Municipal payroll which is not yet approved by the proper authority (People vs. Camacho, 44 Phil. 484).
2. Mere blank forms of official documents, the spaces of which are not filled up (People vs. Santiago, CA, 48 O.G. 4558).
3. Pamphlets or books which do not evidence any disposition or agreement are not documents but are mere merchandise
(People vs. Agnis, 47 Phil. 945).

References:
1. RK Manwong
2. Wikipedia