METHODS OF

EXAMINATION AND
OPINION
MR. GIAN ANTONIO L. ABDON, RCrim
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the presentation the learners should be able to know the following:

1. The concept and importance of methods of examination and opinion;

2. Three Different components of examination

3. General Rule in conducting examination;

4. Logical Process of inquiry in Examination; and 5. Different Methods of Examination.

 METHODS OF EXAMINATION &
OPINION

RATIONALE

Generally, examination of questioned documents is restricted to “Scientific Comparison” which means that
determination of authenticity, genuineness, falsification or forgery lies on the availability of known standards for
comparison. After thorough comparison, the following principle of identification is applied:

“When two items contain a combination of corresponding or similar and specifically oriented characteristic 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.”
 METHODS OF EXAMINATION &
OPINION

The Methods of Examination a questioned document varies or depends upon what type of documents is being
examine. The easy availability and interface of photo editing /altering typewritten documents an effortless
task for unscrupulous. Document Examiners examine 3 basic components of a dubious documents.

SIGNATURES - It is the name of a person written by him/her in a document as a sign of acknowledgement.

Or, it is 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.

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

combination of certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by long, continued painstaking
effort. Some defined handwriting as “visible speech.”

TYPEWRITER - A writing machine with a keyboard for reproducing letters, figures, symbols and other
resembling printed ones; a machine that can reproduce printed characters on papers or that can produce
printed letters and figures on paper; a machine designed to print or impress type characters on paper, as a
speedier and more legible substitute for handwriting.
Criminalistics Examination. This involves the detection of forgery, erasure, alteration or obliteration of
documents.

Dr. Wilson Harrison, a noted British Examiner of questioned documents said that an intelligent police
investigator can detect almost 75% of all forgeries by careful inspection of a document with simple magnifiers
and measuring tools.
 

Handwriting Investigation/Analysis. This is more focused in determining the author of writing. It is more
difficult procedure and requires long study and experience. properties or characteristics, observed or measured.
SS-1.2.3 –
Present Slat &
The Connecting stoke is more on “Garland”
with long terminal embellishment

QS1-
Longer execution of “Loop &
Blind lower Loop with Short terminal
 DOCUMENT EXAMINATION
(In General)

A. VALUE
1. In the commission of a crime, the criminal often finds it necessary to employ one or more documents
in furtherance of his act.
2. In some crimes, such as forgery, the document is an integral part of the crime.
3. In others, such as false claims against government, documents often play an important part in proving
the commission of the crime.
4. Proof of the fact that a document was altered or made by a particular individual may show that:
a. He committed the crime.
b. He had knowledge of the crime.
c. He was present in a certain locality at a specified time.
B. PURPOSE - A document may be examined to know the following:
a. Identity of the author.
b. True contents of the document.
c. Origin of the instrument or paper used in making the document.
d. Alterations or erasures which have been made.
e. Authenticity of the document.

THE LOGICAL PROGRESS OF INQUIRY IN DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

FIRST - ASCERTAIN THE FACTS: to select "QUESTIONED", "DENIED" or "ADMITTED", "AUTHENTIC", and
"DOUBTFUL" documents.

1. Concerning the Document in Questioned.

a. Is only one signa­ture in questioned?
b. Is any part of the document in ques­tion?
c. Is the date of the document in questioned?
d. Is the paper or the typewriter used in the document in ques­tioned? Etc.
 
  
Regarding the Standards:
a. Make sure that there are sufficient numbers of authentic documents for comparison submitted. If there are
inadequate standards, obtain more.
b. Determine whether the standards are authentic ones, on which a foundation can be built for admitting them in
evidence.

SECOND - ANALYZE THE DETAILS: Synthesize the elements, date, circumstances, conditions, technical problems
and the like.
1. The examiner 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 typewriting or
any facts that are part of the technical problem with the document that is submitted to the expert.
2. 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 on 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.
THIRD - QUALIFY THE CASE:
1. How much time is needed for the examina­tion?
2. Is it possible to complete the study from the origi­nal papers, or is it necessary to make special photo-
enlarge­ments for proper examination?
3. If it is possible to make arrangements with the client for photo-enlargement, is it advisable to do so?
4. Photo-enlargements are always useful for demonstrating the reasons on which the opinion is based,
especially in Court.

In scientific study of signatures/handwritings, we learn the basic facts and then reason carefully
and logically from these facts according to established and recognized rules in order to form an
opinion or conclusion as to whether a questioned signature/handwriting is genuine or forged.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS - It is the initial examination conducted on a document to
determine whether it is genuine or not. It is not a inaccuracy, for in reality it consists of painstaking analysis more than
looking at a document and expressing an off-hand opinion.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT:

1. ensures preparedness;
2. avoidance of delay; and
3. ensures success of the case.

Principal points for consideration in the PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION of questioned documents. Please note that
these questions may not be applicable in every case.
1. Is the signature genuine?
2. Is the signature in a natural position?
3. Are the signatures of the witnesses genuine and were they written in the order as they appear?
4. Does the signature touch the other writings? Or was it written last?
5. Are there remains of pencil or carbon marks which may have been an outline for the signature of other writings?
1. Is the signature shown in an embossed form on the back of the
sheet?
2. Is the writings written before the paper was folded?
3. Is the signature written before or after the paper was folded?
4. Is more than one kind of ink used in the preparation of the
document?
5. Are the several sheets of the document exactly the same sizes,
thickness and colors?
6. Is the paper torn, burned or mutilated in any way, and if so, for
what purpose?
7. Is the paper unnecessary soiled or crumpled?
8. Does the document contain abrasion, chemical/pencil erasures, and
alterations/substitutions of any kind?
9. Does the document show abrasion, erasure or lack of continuity
when viewed by transmitted light?
10. Has the document been wet in any way and if so, for what
purpose?
 TECHNIQUES/METHODS IN THE EXAMINATION OF
QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS:
A. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION - Any examination or study which is made with the microscope in order to
discover minute physical details. Stereoscopic examination with low and high power objectives is used to detect
retouching, patching and unnatural pen-lift in signature analysis. With proper angle and intensity or illumination, it
aids in the decipherment of erasures, some minute manipulations not perfectly pictured to the unaided eye and the
sequence of entries done by different writing instruments.

TRANSMITTED LIGHT EXAMINATION – In this examination, the document is viewed with the source of
illumination behind it and the light passing through the paper. Documents are subjected to this type of examination
to determine the presence of erasures, matching of serrations and some other types of alterations.

OBLIQUE LIGHT EXAMINATION - An examination with the illumination so controlled that it grazes or strikes the
surface of the document from one side at a very low angle. Decipherment of faded handwriting, determination of
outlines in traced forgery, embossed impressions, etc. are subjected to this type of examination.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION - This type of examination is very essential in every document examination.
Actual observations are recorded in the photographs.
ULTRA-VIOLET EXAMINATION - Ultraviolet radiation is invisible and occurs in the wave lengths just below the
visible blue-violet end of the spectrum (rainbow).  These visible rays react on some substances so that visible light is
reflected, a phenomenon known as FLOURESCENCE.

This type of examination is done in a darkroom after the lamp has been warmed up in order to give a maximum output of
the ultra-violet light. Exposure to the ultra-violet light should be to the minimum duration in order to avoid fading of
some writing ink and typewriter ribbon.

INFRARED EXAMINATION - This examination of documents employs invisible radiation beyond the red portion of
the visible spectrum (rainbow) which is usually recorded on a specially sensitized photographic emulsion.
What is an “OFF-HAND OPINION”? Off-hand opinion
is usually a conclusion that is not based on thorough scientific examination.

THE DANGER OF OFF-HAND OPINIONS

It has happened in some cases that an off-hand opinion, has sent an innocent man to prison, while a murderer
was given a chance to escape.
 GRADUATE AS
CERTIFIED
THANK YOU CRIMINALISTICS
SPECIALIST