Document Analysis

Document Analysis
Document Analysis
Document examination is a form of
forensic science that includes the
analysis of handwriting as well as the
detection of forged documents such as
passports.
What does forensic document
examination mean?
The application of allied sciences and
analytical techniques to questions
concerning documents is termed
forensic document examination. The
examination of questioned documents
consists of the analysis and comparison
of questioned handwriting, hand
printing, typewriting, commercial
printing, photocopies, papers, inks,
What does forensic document
examination mean?
and other documentary evidence with
known material in order to establish the
authenticity of the contested material as
well as the detection of alterations.
Equipment used in
Document Analysis
Forensic investigators have
access to several machines
that enable them to read a
letter where the ink has been
washed away, see what lies
beneath scribbles and read a
letter from indentations left
on another sheet of paper:
Equipment used in
Document Analysis
•Electro Static Detection Apparatus
•Video Spectral Comparator
•Thin Layer Chromatography
•Infrared Reflectance
Electro Static Detection Apparatus
An Electro Static Detection Apparatus is
used to visualize indentations by applying
an electrostatic charge to a transparent
film. The film is laid across the page in
question and once the charge has been
applied, black toner is passed across the
film and reveals any indentations. This
method can also determine if something
has been added to a journal or log after
the original entry was made
Electro Static Detection Apparatus
This non-destructive test readily permits the fast and
routine examination of all suspect documents.
Video Spectral Comparator
A Video Spectral Comparator is used to
analyze inks and see whether they are the
same or different. This is done by looking
at them under different lighting conditions
where some wavelengths of light are
blocked. This technique can uncover
layers in documents where words have
been scribbled out or written over
Video Spectral Comparator
Light source for document examinations and
verification of official documents
Thin Layer Chromatography
Thin Layer Chromatography is used to do
a more thorough analysis of ink. The ink
is mixed with chemicals and deposited
onto a silicate plate where its constituents
can be measured
Infrared Reflectance
Infrared Reflectance is used to show the
residue of pencil marks. This can be done
clearly even if the writing has been
erased. Pencils are made of graphite
which is a form of carbon – and this
absorbs infrared light well
Forensic Document Examiner
Handwriting Analysis
Forensic Document Examiner
Uses of Handwriting Analysis
► Determine





identity of writer
In ransom notes
In document forgery
In death threats
In suicide notes
Can you think of others?
Forensic Document Examiner
Comparisons Are Useful Because
► No
two people have identical handwriting
► By adulthood, it is exclusive to an individual
(we all learned the same techniques to
begin writing in grade school)
► Even disguised handwriting
will exhibit some of the
person’s individual
characteristics
Standard Comparisons
► Include
sample to be analyzed called an
EXEMPLAR
► Samples from an individual include
 Collected writing comes from prior to the
beginning of the investigation (helps prevent or
indicate when a person is disguising their
handwriting)
 Requested writing is a dictated text using the
same type of paper
 Same type of ink as the sample to be analyzed
Forensic Document Examiner
► The
best thing to examine is something with the
same words as the document in question.
► An examiner may dictate to a potential suspect,
slowly then faster so that they have less chance of
disguising the handwriting.
► Use same ink and paper (as said before) pencil,
ballpoint pen, fountain pen, marker, etc.
Forensic Document Examiner
► List
ways a person may change or attempt
to disguise their handwriting
Forensic Document Examiner
► Name
items that you could get from a
potential suspects home to use for
handwriting identification.
Forensic Document Examiner
► Handwriting
originates in the brain when a
mental picture of letters and words is
formed. The signal to try to duplicate the
mental picture is sent to the arm and hand
through the muscles and nervous system.
The actual output is almost never an exact
match of the original mental picture.
Forensic Document Examiner
Handwriting is distal, meaning that it occurs
at the extremities and involves fine motor
activity as opposed to a skill like walking
which is proximal - a large, or gross motor
skill. One reason individuals find it difficult
to simulate the handwriting of others is that
to do so successfully requires understanding
the essence of the writer's motor control
program and executing that same program.
Forensic Document Examiner
►
Some typical document examination questions
►
Is the signature genuine?
►
Is the document forged, and if so is it forged by a particular person?
►
Is the same person the author of several documents?
►
Did someone guide a person's hand as a will was signed?
►
Did the doctor come back later and alter the medical records?
►
Did the signer of the document also initial the changes?
►
What is written under the crossed out portion of the writing?
►
Was the document written on the date indicated?
Forensic Document Examiner
►
►
Some typical document examination questions
Are there erasures on the document?
►
Are there alterations or obliterations on the document?
►
What was originally written before the alteration or under the obliteration?
►
Are there perforations, folds, staple holes, or other physical clues on the
document ?
►
Was the entire document rewritten, or was it prepared sequentially, over a
period of time?
Shredded Material Recovery
► The
purpose of our work was to turn bags
of shredded documents like these...
Shredded Material Recovery
► Into
legible documents like these...
Shredded Material Recovery
► Which
involved separation of individual
shreds from the pile and re-assembling
them piece by piece.
Shredded Material Recovery
► Each
bag of shredded paper contained an
average of 100 recoverable documents.