Unit 5: Digital & Document Evidence

What is the first step of processing any kind of evidence?

• Casting

• Photographing

• Dusting

• Lifting

Determines individual dye components

• Biometric Signature Pad
• Video Spectral Comparator
• Chromatography
• Infrared spectroscope

Each person has a range of natural variation; this means:

• Like fingerprints, handwriting is unique to each individual
• No one writes the exact same every time
• Everyone's handwriting has their own unique style
• No writer can exceed his or her skill level

Any signature, handwriting, typewriting, or other written mark whose source or authenticity is in dispute or uncertain is known as an:

• Forgery
• Counterfeit
• Questioned Document
• Exemplar

In cases of forgery, what is the job of the document expert?

• determine whether the document is forged
• convince a jury that a document is forged
• determine if the writers intent was to defraud
• all of the above

Handwriting is individual evidence.

• True
• False

When dictating to a person in order to obtain samples of handwriting, one should not: 

• allow the suspect to view the questioned document before dictating it. 
• use a pen similar to that of the questioned document. 
• use similar or the same letter and word grouping as used in the questioned document 
• dictate the contents of the text at least three times. 

Document experts analyze paper and ink as well as the writing to determine authenticity.

• True
• False

Which of the following is NOT an anti-counterfeiting security feature?

• color-shifting ink

• watermarks

• typescript features

• microprinting

A handwriting standard is a known writing sample.

• true

• false