Forensic Document Analysis

What do Document Examiners do?

• Restore erased & obliterated writing

• Determine the relative age of documents and inks

• verify handwriting & signatures

• All of the above

The following are examples of 'Questioned Documents' EXCEPT...

• Online websites

• Bank checks

• Receipts

• Ransom notes

True or False: Handwriting has both Class & Individual characteristics.

• True

• False

What is an exemplar mainly used for?

• To identify what material the paper is made out of

• To identify the different inks used on the questioned documents

• To compare handwriting styles between a suspect & questioned document

• None of the above

Which case ruled obtaining handwriting samples does not constitute illegal search and seizure?

• United States v. Madison

• United States v. Mara

• Gilbert v. California

• Gilbert v. United States

Which case upheld that handwriting exemplars can be used in court?

• United States v. Madison

• United States v. Mara

• Gilbert v. California

• Gilbert v. United States

Which of the following is NOT one of the steps used to minimize deception?

• Require just a few lines of writing

• The suspect should be given a pen and paper similar to the questioned document

• The suspect should sit in a comfortable chair without distractions

• Writing a set dictation multiple times

When we are analyzing the "Line Quality" characteristic we are looking to see if...

• the letters are slanted

• the lines are smooth, free flowing or if they're shaky and nervous

• how big the letters are

• we can determine the average amount of space between words & letters.

When we are analyzing the "Slant" characteristic we are looking to see if...

• the letters are slanted

• the lines are smooth, free flowing or if they're shaky and nervous

• how big the letters are

• we can determine the average amount of space between words & letters.

When we are analyzing the "ratio of letters" characteristic we are looking to see if...

• the letters are slanted

• the lines are smooth, free flowing or if they're shaky and nervous

• the size of the letters and words match

• we can determine the average amount of space between words & letters.