Questioned Documents Examination - Glossary of Terms

Document - Any material containing marks or symbols that convey meaning.

Questioned Document - A document under scrutiny for authenticity or validity, such as forged checks, disputed wills,
altered contracts, or falsified identification papers. Standard Document - A known-origin document used for comparison.

Types of Standards:

 Collected - Regularly executed specimens.

 Requested - Prepared upon request.

Legal Classifications:

 Public Document - Created by a public official.

 Official Document - Issued by a public official as part of their duties.

 Private Document - Created by a private person without official intervention.

 Commercial Document - Defined by commercial law.

Classes of Questioned Documents:

 Questioned Signature - A signature whose authenticity or origin is in doubt.

 Fraudulent Alteration - Modifications made to a document with the intent to deceive.

 Holograph Document - A document written entirely in the author’s handwriting.

 Material Questioned Documents - Documents examined to determine the nature of their material composition.

 Age/Date Questioned Documents - Documents examined to determine their age or the date of their creation.

 Typewritten Documents - Documents produced using a typewriter.

 Handwriting Identification Documents - Documents used to identify handwriting.

 Fraudulently Disputed Genuine Documents - Genuine documents falsely claimed to be fake.

 Printed/Typed Documents - Documents created using printing or typing methods.

Writings and Signature Terms:

 Writing - Basic shapes and movement in letters.

 Copy Book Form - Basic letter designs.

 Writing Movement - Motion factors like pressure and rhythm.

 Handwriting - Personal expression of writing habits.

 Writing Habits - Identifying repeated elements in handwriting.

 Significant Writing Habits - Unique features identifying handwriting.

 Slant - Writing inclination.

 Baseline - Imaginary line where writing rests.

Types of Handwritings:

 Cursive - Joined letters.

 Hand Lettering - Disconnected style.

 Natural Writing - Normal, unaltered handwriting.

 Disguised Writing - Deliberately altered handwriting.

 Guided/Assisted Writing - Writing with hand support.

Signature Types:

 Formal/Complete - For important documents.

 Informal/Cursory - For routine documents.

 Careless Scribble - For non-important documents.

Types of Documents:
  Handwritten Document - A document created entirely by hand.

 Printed Document - A document produced by a printing press or printer.

 Typewritten Document - A document created using a typewriter or digital typewriting device.

 Photocopied Document - A document reproduced using a photocopier.

 Altered Document - A document that has been changed from its original form.

 Counterfeit Document - A fraudulent imitation of a legitimate document.

 Digital Document - A document created, stored, and transmitted electronically.

Equipment Used in Document Examination:

 Microscopes - Stereomicroscope and Comparison Microscope.

 Lighting Equipment - UV and IR lights.

 Spectral Analysis Tools - VSC and Raman Spectroscopy.

 Digital Analysis Software - Adobe Photoshop and ESDA.

 Magnifying Tools - Magnifying Glass and Handheld Microscopes.

 Measuring Instruments - Digital Calipers and Graticules.

 ESDA - Detects indented writing.

 Ink and Paper Tools - TLC and XRF.

 Scanners and Printers - High-resolution tools.

Forgery:

 Simple Forgery - No attempt to mimic the original.

 Simulated Forgery - Mimics genuine handwriting.

 Traced Forgery - Copying genuine writing.

Methods of Tracing:

 Carbon Outline - Using carbon paper to trace an original signature or writing.

 Indention Process - Pressing firmly on a document to leave an impression on another sheet.

 Projection Light - Using light to project an original signature onto another surface for tracing.

 Laser Method - Using laser technology to trace and reproduce handwriting or signatures.

Forgery Detection:

 Preliminary Examination - Initial assessment of the document for authenticity.

 Microscopic Analysis - Examining minute details using a microscope.

 Ink and Paper Analysis - Using UV, IR, and TLC methods to analyze the composition of ink and paper.

 Physical Properties Examination - Assessing the physical characteristics of the document.

 Digital Analysis - Using software tools to detect alterations or forgeries in digital documents.

Characteristics in Handwriting:

 Class Characteristics - Common features found in the handwriting of many individuals.

 Individual Characteristics - Unique, personal handwriting features that distinguish one person's writing from
another's.

Terms in Handwriting Analysis:

 Arc - Rounded part of a curve.

 Beard - Introductory strokes in capital letters.

 Blunt - Abrupt stroke beginning/end.

 Buckle Knot - Loop strokes in letters.

 Central Part - Letter body.

 Eyelet - Small oblong strokes.

 Hitch - Backward stroke in letters.

 Hiatus - Gap between letters.

 Humps - Outer curve portion.

 Knob - Ink pool at stroke ends.

 Loop - Oblong stroke.

 Stem - Main downward stroke.

 Initial/Terminal Spur - Long strokes at start/end.

 Through - Garland stroke form.

 Whirl - Long upward stroke.

Document Issues:

 Alteration Detection - Identifying document changes.

 Erasure Decipherment - Identifying removed writings.

 Obliteration Decipherment - Identifying overwritten text.

 Charred Document Analysis - Deciphering burnt documents.

 Invisible Writing Development - Revealing hidden writing.

 Contact Writing Decipherment - Enhancing partial ink strokes.

Counterfeit:

 Counterfeit Document - A fraudulent copy of a legitimate document created with the intent to deceive.

Counterfeit Identification Procedures:

 Visual Inspection - Examining the document's design, clarity, and serial numbers.

 Tactile Inspection - Feeling the paper texture and checking for raised printing.

 Security Features Verification - Checking for watermarks, security threads, and holograms.

 UV Light Examination - Identifying fluorescent features.

 IR Light Examination - Revealing hidden elements under infrared light.

 Microscopic Analysis - Checking for microprinting and line quality under a microscope.

 Chemical Analysis - Analyzing the composition of inks and papers.

 Digital Analysis - Using high-resolution scanning and software tools to verify authenticity.

Tools for Counterfeit Detection:

 Magnifying Glass - A handheld lens for close examination of fine details.

 UV Light - Ultraviolet light to reveal fluorescent features.

 IR Light - Infrared light to detect hidden elements.

 TLC and Raman Kits - Tools for analyzing ink composition.

 High-Resolution Scanners - Devices to capture detailed images of documents for analysis.