Evidence Collection Handbook - DOCUMENTS

Document examination consists mainly of side-by-side comparisons of questioned handwritten or typewritten materials with appropriate standard materials. Various types of examinations are undertaken, including microscopic, visual, photographic, chemical, ultraviolet, and infrared.

Value.

The value of document examination is that a definite conclusion can often be reached. A competent examiner has the ability to state that particular person or instrument produced the document in question, provided certain conditions for evidence collection and standard collection are met. This type of testimony has been accepted by the courts in this country for many years.

Information determined.

While handwriting and typewriting comparisons are the most common types of examinations performed by the document examiner, his expertise spans a wide variety of related examinations. Some examples follow: examinations of forgeries involving check writing machines or notary seals; identification of inks and writing instruments; determination of the true age of a document; and examinations involving printing and other duplication processes, indented writing, obliterated or eradicated writing, used carbon paper, and burned or charred paper. Comparisons of paper are possible, but a positive identification is seldom obtained. New typewriters are also difficult to identify. The document examiner is also trained in the use of special photographic techniques when needed.

Information that cannot be determined with certainty by handwriting examination are the age and sex of the writer.

Collection.

As in other areas, the proper collection and preservation of the evidence and the submission of adequate and suitable standards are of the utmost importance in obtaining the best results possible from the laboratory.

The questioned document must be adequately identified with initials, dates, and other pertinent data. This can be accomplished by either writing on the back of the document itself, or, if legal aspects or good judgment indicate otherwise, by placing it in a clear plastic envelope with a slip of paper inside showing the pertinent data. Other types of envelopes may also be used. Each piece of evidence must be placed in a separate envelope and suitably identified.

It is important to submit the original documents rather than photocopies of those documents for comparison purposes. Most photocopiers cannot satisfactorily duplicate those minute details of a questioned handwriting or typewriting sample which may allow a definite identification, particularly considering that the known sample will probably be an original document. Check writer impressions, notary seals, and other three-dimensional or colored documents obviously do not lend themselves to being photocopied.

In some cases a high quality photograph is satisfactory for laboratory examination in lieu of the originals. However, in no case does the inability to forward the originals constitute a valid reason for not requesting a laboratory examination. Contact the laboratory for further information.

CARE, HANDLING, AND PRESERVATION
OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

DO

1. Keep documents unfolded in protective transparent plastic envelopes or evidence preservers. (As an alternative, a large, heavy manila or kraft envelope or folder can be used.)
2. Take disputed papers to document examiner's laboratory at the first opportunity.
3. If storage is necessary, keep in dry place away from excessive heat and strong light.

DON'T

1. Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry them carelessly in your wallet, notebook, or brief case on rounds of interviews.
2. Do not mark disputed documents (either by consciously writing or by pointing at them with instruments or dividers) but do place very small inconspicuous initials and date on the reverse of the questioned document for identification in court.
3. Do not smear documents with fingerprint powder or chemicals.
4. Do not fold, staple, perforate, impress rubber or metal stamps upon, or attach labels or stickers.
5. Do not damage by repeated refolding, creasing, cutting, tearing, or punching for filing purposes.

Always remember, a disputed document, which is important enough to be subjected to scientific study, certainly deserves better than average care.

Collection of known handwriting samples.

Because of the many variables involved in a handwriting comparison, the collection of adequate and suitable standards is an extensive and time-consuming process. The following steps are designed to reproduce the original conditions as nearly as possible. Do not compromise this process.

1. Obtain samples from dictation until it is believed normal writing has been produced. (The number of samples necessary cannot be determined in advance.)
2. Do not allow the suspect to see either the original document in question or a photograph thereof.
3. Remove each sample from the sight of the writer as soon as it is completed.
4. Do not give instructions on spelling, punctuation, arrangement, etc.
5. Use the same writing media, such as type and size of paper, writing instruments, printed forms (checks, notes, etc.).
6. Obtain the full text of the questioned writing in word-for-word order at least once, if possible. Signatures and less extensive writing should be prepared several times, each time on a different piece of paper. Obscene passages may be omitted from the dictation.
7. In forgery cases, the Laboratory should also be furnished with genuine signatures of the person whose name is forged.
8. Obtain samples with both the right and the left hands. Investigator must indicate on the sample what he told writer to do.
9. Obtain samples written rapidly, slowly, and at varied slants. Investigator must indicate on the sample what he told the writer to do.
10. Obtain samples of supplementary writings such as sketches, drawings, manner of addressing an envelope, etc.
11. Witness each sample on the back, never on the front.
12. Samples of non-dictated writing should be obtained, such as applications for employment, social or business correspondence, school papers, copies of operator's license, social security card, etc.

Collection of known typewriting samples.

1. Obtain a full word-for-word text of the message in question using as nearly as possible the same degree of touch as on the questioned sample.
2. In addition, obtain at least a partial text of the message in question in heavy, medium, and light touch.
3. Obtain carbon paper samples of every character of the keyboard (place ribbon in stencil-cutting position).
4. Pertinent information relative to the typewriter including the make and model, the serial number, when last repaired, where located, etc., should be typed at the bottom of the samples.
5. If the ribbon is obviously new, remove and forward to the laboratory. Prepare samples with a different ribbon.
6. Witness each sample.
7. If at all possible, bring typewriter to the laboratory.
    

In some cases special considerations apply either because of the type of evidence involved or the circumstances surrounding the case. Some of these follow:

1. Indented writing - do not fold or crease.
2. Obliterated or eradicated writing - advise whether chemical methods may be applied.
3. Used carbon paper - do not fold or crease.
4. Burned or charred papers - ship between layers of cotton in strong box. If possible, hand carry this evidence to the laboratory.
5. Latent print examination - state clearly on the outside of the evidence if latent fingerprint examination is desired.

A laboratory report will be issued stating the results of the examinations. If "no conclusion" was reached, one or more of several factors could have contributed. Disguised handwriting, limited questioned material, inadequate known samples, or a long period of time which elapsed between commission of the crime and collection of standards will hinder examination. Finally, some cases are borderline cases. Even though ample quantities of questioned samples and appropriate known samples are available a conclusion sometimes cannot be reached.

Shipment.

Most document evidence can be forwarded to the Central Crime Laboratory by certified or registered mail. Very fragile or large items are probably best hand carried to the laboratory. If mailing the evidence, be sure to list what items are being submitted, clearly distinguishing between the questioned and known, and state exactly what examinations are required.

Home | Top