Questioned Documents

Service Manual     Table of Contents 

A document is defined as anything upon which a mark is made for the purpose of conveying a message. The Questioned Documents section can assist in the analysis of documents involved in criminal activities. Documents may be involved not only in forgery cases but also in homicides, burglaries, robberies and other types of crime. In addition to handwriting and signature analysis, the Questioned Documents section examines typewriting and other mechanical impressions such as rubber stamps and checkwriters. Other types of examinations include photocopy source determinations, printing processes, and nondestructive ink and paper analysis. In general, this section examines and compares documents whose origin or authenticity is questioned.

  • Comparison of signatures and other writings, handprinting and numerals
  • Mechanical impression comparisons (e.g. typewriters, check writers, rubber stamps and seals)
  • Identification of photocopy machines
  • Typewriter make and model determinations
  • Nondestructive examination of inks
  • Deciphering water soaked, charred, or burned documents
  • Deciphering indented writing on anonymous letters and other documents
  • Torn and cut paper edge comparisons
  • Printing and other duplicating processes analysis
  • Spray-painted graffiti comparisons
  • Altered/obliterated documents
  • Footwear and tire impression comparisons 

All documents should be handled as little as possible and must not be folded, creased, or stapled. Whenever possible, documents should not be processed for latent prints prior to submission for document examination. If requested, documents will be preserved for any future latent processing. Never complete paperwork or fill in evidence bags or envelopes with the documents being submitted for analysis underneath or enclosed. Extreme care must be exercised in handling burned or charred documents. They should always be hand-delivered to the laboratory.

The laboratory system no longer accepts misdemeanor bad check cases.

Whenever possible, always submit the suspect typewriter, check writer, rubber stamps, or seals rather than samples. Typewriter ribbons may contain the text from the questioned documents. Whenever practical, always submit the ribbon with the suspect machine. Never type on the typewriter to obtain exemplars.

Dictated or Request Writing

Request or dictated writing samples are obtained from a subject for comparison with disputed documents. The subject is told what to write and is fully aware that the samples will be used for analysis. This type of sample should be obtained from all individuals suspected of involvement whether or not a confession has been obtained. A sufficient number of dictated samples must be obtained so the writing habits of an individual can be established.

Subjects should not be permitted to handle or inspect the questioned documents prior to giving samples. The text of the document, including what signature(s) to write, should be dictated to the subject. It is important to remember that the questioned and known writing must be comparable (i.e. an A cannot be compared to a B, John Smith cannot be compared to Mary Jones). In addition, the style of writing must also be comparable. In most instances, cursive or connected script can only be compared to similar cursive writing. Handprinted (or manuscript) writing can only be compared to handprinted writing. In true name cases, always supplement the request/dictated signatures with copies of driver’s license signatures and other documents not prepared for investigation.

The following guidelines for the number of samples to obtain are not rigid. Providing that the subject is willing to give samples, the number of samples should exceed the recommended number. Do not have subjects sign/write all in a row – use separate sheets of paper or check forms. Handwriting specimen forms and an instruction sheet are available electronically upon request.

  • Checks – 10 to 15 repetitions
  • Signature/Check Endorsements – 20 to 30 repetitions (include account numbers and any notations)
  • Extended Writing – 3 to 5 samples
  • General Handwriting Form – in addition to the above, always have subjects complete a general handwriting form. The form should be written in the style of the questioned document, either cursive or printed. This form should always be completed first before obtaining direct text samples.

Collected Writing

As the term implies, collected writing is collected or gathered for handwriting comparisons when a subject refuses to voluntarily provide dictated samples. In Georgia, subjects cannot be compelled to provide handwriting samples. For example, an employment application could be used to compare with an anonymous threatening letter. The following are possible sources of collected writing:

Bank signature cards
Identification cards
Credit card receipts
Jail forms, inmate request/complaint forms
DPS copy of driver’s license
Letters
Fingerprint cards
Phone message slips
Greeting cards
School or College notes and tests
Hospital records
Traffic tickets

Mechanical impressions are impressions placed on a piece of paper by a machine or simple tool. It is often possible to identify the impression left on a document as produced by one particular machine or tool to the exclusion of all other machines. It is also possible to determine whether two documents have a common source. Whenever possible the original typewriter, check writer, notary seal or rubber stamp should be submitted to the laboratory . It is best whenever possible to submit the typewriter to the laboratory and allow lab personnel to prepare exemplars for analysis. The following guide should be adhered to if the actual machine cannot be submitted:

Typewriters

NOTE: If the typewriter uses a one-time carbon ribbon system, no samples should be taken on the ribbon in the machine at the time it is found. The onetime use ribbon might contain the questioned information being sought and, therefore, samples duplicating the questioned text should not be taken. The ribbon should be removed and submitted to the laboratory along with the questioned document. A new ribbon should be placed in the machine to take samples as follows:

  • Checks – three to five repetitions of the date, payee name, and the written and numerical amounts on each check
  • Anonymous Notes and Letters – three to five repetitions of the exact text
  • Other documents – three to five repetitions of the questioned entries
  • A complete strike-up of all letters, numbers and special characters

Check Writers

Impressions should be obtained in all the questioned denominations, including company logo. Three to five repetitions are needed for each check. As with typewriters, it is always best to submit the actual check writer to the lab rather than take exemplars .

Copy Machines

It is often possible to determine the type of process used to make a copy, and whether or not a specific copy machine was used to produce a questioned document. The proper method used to obtain a sample from a suspected copier is to activate the machine without a document in place to be copied with the lid down. The paper will be blank, but defects from the lid and glass will be recorded on the copy produced. A minimum of six copies should be prepared. Six additional samples should be obtained with a piece of paper on the platen (glass.) The make/model serial number and location of the copier should be noted. Do not write on the front of the samples. Each group should be separated and marked inconsequently on the reverse its number sequence of reproduction.

Persons committing a crime may leave footwear or tire impressions entering and/or exiting the crime scene. In many instances, impressions can be positively identified as having been made by a specific shoe or tire. Clothing of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle can also leave impressions on the vehicle. Examinations of questioned impressions may provide investigative lead information such as brand and model of tires and footwear. Vehicle makes and models may also be determined from wheel base and track width measurements .

Collection of Impression Evidence

Once detected, impression evidence should be photographed and collected as described below:

  • Take close-up photographs using a tripod. It is recommended that photographic film be used for all close-up imaging, digital cameras will likely record images with lower resolution that prevents observation of fine detail needed for a complete comparison.
  • A scale must be included in these photographs so that an actual-size enlargement can be made. The camera must be directly above the impression, not at an angle. Bi-directional scales (L shaped) are recommended to ensure enlarged images are not angled in either north-south or east-west directions. Use of scales which have a circle with a cross-hair printed on them may allow for correction of angle distortions in some cases.
  • Always submit the photographic negatives (or digital image file) of impression evidence to the laboratory along with any photographs (or digital prints). This will enable the lab to produce actual size enlargements for comparative examinations.
  • If the impression evidence can be removed from the scene, protect the impression from possible damage before submitting it to the laboratory.
  • If the impression is three-dimensional (in sand, soil, or snow), cast the impression with Hydrocal or Dental Stone following photography. Do not attempt to wash a cast or remove attached soil. Allow the cast to dry several days before transport. Submit the cast to the laboratory in paper bags or other non-plastic containers. Tire impressions should be photographed through an entire rotation if possible using sequential shots which slightly overlap. A typical full tire rotation may be six feet long on the ground.
  • If the impression is two-dimensional and cannot be removed from the scene, photograph the impression first then lift or enhance as necessary. Impressions in blood can be chemically enhanced using several methods. Impressions in dust can be lifted using an electrostatic lifting device and/or gel lifts. Impressions detected using fingerprint powders should be gel lifted (use contrasting gel lifters ie…white gel lift for black powdered impressions). Call the Trace Evidence section for additional information on collecting enhanced impressions. Do not cover an impression with tape. This may obscure impression detail and make enhancement impossible.
  • Always photograph first then cast or lift. Do not substitute one for the other.
  • Gel and static lifts need to be protected from damage during transit. Taping the corners of the lift inside a new pizza box is recommended. Transport the box without tipping. Covering gel lifts with the original plastic protective sheet may leave distortions in the gel which may obscure detail in the impression.

Charred and Water-Soaked Documents

It is possible to examine charred and water-soaked documents. Contact the laboratory for special transportation instructions.

Paper Examinations

It is often possible to determine the source of a particular paper through examination of watermarks and other features. It is also possible to determine if two or more pieces of paper could have originated from the same source and whether or not a certain piece of paper was once attached to another piece of paper. (physical match). It is also possible at times to determine whether or not a piece of notepad paper originated from a particular notepad.

Erasures, Obliterations, and Alterations

It is possible to decipher original text and to determine whether or not an erasure, alteration, or obliteration has occurred to a questioned document.

Indented Writing

The text of indentations may be deciphered, and it can be determined whether a certain document was written while in contact with a certain pad, notebook, paper, etc. Note that this process will not hamper any future fingerprint processing. However, latent fingerprint processing will hamper efforts to raise indented handwriting impressions.

Inks

It is sometimes possible to show that different inks were used to complete different portions of a document, but it is rarely possible to determine that a certain pen was used to prepare the document to the exclusion of all other pens of that same class.

Age of Documents

The exact age of a certain document is usually very difficult to accurately determine. However, it is sometimes possible to establish the age within broad limits.

Rubber Stamps/Seals

From each stamp and seal, 20 to 30 samples are needed for comparison. Whenever possible submit the original stamp or seal for examination.

Never clean a stamp or seal.

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