ARAULLO UNIVERSITY

Phinma Education Network

CABANATUAN CITY

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

REVIEW QUESTIONAIRES IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

Prepared By: Randy M. Maure

NOTES ON QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

The Role and Nature of Questioned Document in Police Work:

The document examiner has a dual objective. First, to

discover the facts and second, to prove the facts. The document
examiner who would truly serve the ends of justice must go to the
witness stand fully prepared to support this conclusion with
testimony that is factual, clearly understandable & persuasive.
Expert testimony should be measured by its convingness.

With regard to handwriting, the document examiner should be

furnished by police investigation only those writings which can
be proved to the satisfaction of the court to be genuine
writings.

The Examiner as a Part of the Investigative Team in Crime

Detection and Investigation:

The field of questioned examination is one of the three

“I’s” of the investigation of crime i.e. Instrumentation.
Documents as evidence in various cases specifically forgeries and
the like are submitted to the laboratory for the appropriate
examination. Documents examiner who scientifully studies the
elements, nature and composition of documents regards this field
of expertise as one of the process of discovering and proving
facts for promoting justice law enforcement. One of the necessary
steps in the investigation is disputed documents is the accurate
determination of what the fact really is taken then comes the
task of proving the fact in court. The specialist or the document
examiner will provide in the name of justice testimony that will
emulate the necessary result of the examination. He should be
accurate, fair and courageous. These three words are basically
the traits of a law enforcer and on which the secure foundation
of this profession is built. This profession has produced men
have nationally and worldwide influenced for the better
administration of justice. The outstanding reputation acquired
for ability and honesty in a particular field has always carried
over to and filtered through the thinking of those in related
fields assisting them the better performance of their work.

Questioned Document:

One in which the facts appearing therein are not true, and
are contested either in whole or in part with respect to its
authenticity, identity, or origin. It may be a deed, contract,
will, election ballots, marriage contract, checks, visas,
application form, certificates, etc.
 Document is questioned because its origins, its contents, or
the circumstance and story regarding its production arouse
suspicion as to its genuineness or it may adversely scrutinized
simple because it displeases someone.

Document is said to be questioned when it is disputed or

attacked, either in whole or in part as to its date or age, as to
its source or origin, as to the material used in their
production, and as to its relation in some other document.

Classes of Questioned Documents:

1. Documents with questioned signatures.

2. Documents containing alleged fraudulent alterations.
3. Questioned or disputed holographic wills.
a. Holographic Will – will entirely written in the
handwriting of the testator
b. Notarial Will – signed by the testator acknowledge before
a notary public with three witnesses
4. Documents investigated on the question of typewriting.
a. with a view of ascertaining their source
b. with a view of ascertaining their date
c. with a view of determining whether or not they contain
fraudulent alterations or substituted pages
5. Documents on issues of their age or date.
6. Documents on issues of materials used in their production.
7. Documents or writings investigated because it is alleged that
they identify some persons through handwriting.
a. anonymous and disputed letters, and
b. superscriptions, registrations and miscellaneous writings
8. Genuine documents erroneously or fraudulently altered or
disputed.

Document:

Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs either

visible, partially visible that may present or ultimately convey
a meaning to someone. May be in the form of pencil, ink writing,
typewriting, or printing on paper.

In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA, 338 O.G. 119, a

document is any written document by which a right is established
or an obligation is extinguished.

In the case of People vs. Nillosquin, CA, 48 O.G. 4453, a

document is every deed or instrument executed by person by which
some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth.

Kinds of Documents:

Under the Philippine Law, the following are the four kinds
of documents:

1. Public Document – any instrument notarized by a notary public

or competent public official with solemnities required by law.
(Cacnio vs. Baens, 5 Phil. 742)

2. Official Document – any instrument issued by the government or

its agents or its officers having the authority to do so and the
offices, which in accordance with their creation, they are
authorized to issue and be issued in the performance of their
duties.
3. Private Document – every deed or instrument executed by a
private person without the intervention of a notary public or of
any person legally authorized, by which documents, some
disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth.

4. Commercial Document – any instrument executed in accordance

with the Code of Commerce or any Mercantile Law, containing
disposition of commercial rights or obligations.

Note:

A private document may become a public or official document

when it partakes the nature of a public or official record. So if
the falsification committed on such document, that is, when it is
already a part of the public record, falsification of public or
official document is committed. However, if such private document
is intended to become a part of the public record, even though
falsified prior thereto, falsification of a public document is
committed.
Standard Document:

Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimen which is

adequate and proper, should contain a true correction of the
material form a known source. They are used by the Document
Examiner as the basis for his identification or non-
identification of the questioned document as, for example, for
the known handwriting which serves to establish who wrote the
disputed letter.

Two Kinds of Standard Documents:

a. Procured or Collected – Those which are obtain from files of

document executed in the persons day to day business, official,
social or personal activities.

b. Requested – Those which are given or made upon the request of

an investigator for purpose of making comparative examination
with the request writing.

Writings which do not constitute documents:

Based on some Supreme Court rulings:

1. A draft of a municipal payroll which is not yet approved by

the proper authority.
(People vs. Camacho, 44 Phil. 484)

2. Mere blank forms of official documents, the spaces of which

are not yet filled up. (People vs. Santiago, CA, 48 O.G. 4558)

3. Pamphlets or books which do not evidence any disposition or

agreement are not documents but are mere merchandise. (People vs.
Agnis, 47 Phil. 945)

Subjects Considered in Questioned Document Exam:

1. Handwriting examination
a. examination of signatures and initials
b. examination of anonymous letters
c. hand printing examination
2. Typewriting examination
3. Examination of inks
4. Erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc.
5. Counterfeiting

DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

Objectives:

a. The objective is to furnish the investigator in the field

with sufficient background information concerning document
examination.
b. No attempt is made to provide detailed information
sufficient to qualify the investigator as an expert document
examiner.

Importance/Significance:

a. In the commission of a crime, the criminal often finds

necessary to employ one or more documents in furtherance of his
act.

b. In some crimes, such as forgery, the document is an

integral part of the crime.

c. In others, such as false claims against government,

documents often play an important part in proving the commission
of the crime.

d. Proof of the fact that a document was altered or made by

a particular individual may show that:
1. He committed the crime.
2. He had knowledge of the crime.
3. He was present in a certain locality at a specified time.

Evidence that a document was not made by an authorized

individual or machine may prove it to be fraudulent. Latent
fingerprints on documents are of great value to the investigator.

Purposes:

A document may be examined for a number of purposes

including:
1. Identity of the author/maker/writer.
2. True contents of the documents.
3. Origin of the instrument or paper used in making the
documents.
4. Alterations or erasures which have been made.
5. Authenticity of the document.

Logical Process of Inquiry in Document Examination:

An aware document expert must know that the first step in

making over a case to get the proper identification. The logical
processes of inquiry are:

1. Ascertain the facts: to select “questioned”, “denied”, or

“admitted”, “authentic”, and “doubtful” documents.
a. Concerning the document in questioned. Is only one
signature is question? Is any part of the document is question?
Is the date of the document in question? Is the paper or the
typewriter used in the document in question?
b. Regarding the standards.
1. Make sure that there are sufficient numbers of authentic
documents for comparison submitted. If there are inadequate
standards, obtain more.

2. Determine whether the standards are authentic ones, on which a

foundation can be built for admitting them in evidence.

2. Analyze the details: synthesize the elements, date,

circumstances, conditions, technical problems and the like.

a. The examiner of the questioned documents, after

ascertaining the facts, should have detailed information as to
the circumstances of the document in questioned, the condition of
an alleged writer, or of any condition that may have affected the
writing or any facts that are part of the technical problem with
the document that is submitted to the expert.

b. He should inquire about the circumstances and conditions

as far as the client knows, such as, was the document signed
sitting on the wall, on the lap, or lying in bed? Sitting in bed,
lying on his back or side? For example a document could have been
signed in a moving automobile or while having a drink at the bar.

3. Qualify the case:

How much time is needed for the examination? Is it possible

to complete the study from the original papers, or is it
necessary to make special photo-enlargements for proper
examination? If it is possible to make arrangements with the
client for photo-enlargement, is it advisable to do so? Photo-
enlargements are always useful for demonstrating the reasons on
which the opinion is based, especially in court.

Scientific Method in Questioned Document:

The document examiners strive constantly for objectives and

the avoidance of personal bias. It orders knowledge, follows in
logical sequences. It classifies knowledge as the only systematic
means to its organization a deduction to matters of facts. It
insists upon verification as the most reliable form of proof. It
utilizes observation or experimentation designed expressly toward
the control of variables. A scientific method therefore consists
of the following processes:

1. Analysis – properties of characteristics observed or measured.

2. Comparison – properties or characteristics of the unknown
determined thought analysis are now compared with the familiar or
recorded properties of known items.
3. Evaluation – Similarities or dissimilarities in properties or
characteristics will each have a certain value for
identification, determined by its likelihood of occurrence. The
weight or significance of each must therefore be considered. The
principle of identification requires that when two items contain
a combination of corresponding or similar and specifically
oriented characteristics of such number and significance as to
preclude the possibility of their occurrence by mere coincidence
and there are no unaccounted for differences. It may be concluded
that they are same in their characteristics attributed to the
same cause.

HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION

Definition of Terms:
Writing – It is the result of a very complicated series of acts,
being used as whole, combination of certain forms of visible
mental and muscular habits acquired by long, continued
painstaking effort.

Handwriting – It is the visible effect of bodily movement which

is an almost subconscious expression of fixed mental expression
of certain ideas associated with script form.

Natural Handwriting – Any writing executed normally without any

attempt to control or alter its identifying habits and its usual
quality of execution.

Disguised Writing – A writer may deliberately try to alter his

usual writing habits in hope of hiding his identity, writing
skill is poorer, change in slant, size, altered or capital
letters.

Stroke – Series of lines or curves written in a single letter.

One of the lines of an alphabet or series of lines or curves
within a single letter. The path traced by the pen on the paper.

Terminology Concerning Stroke characteristics:

Arc/Arch – a curved formed inside the top curve of loop, as in

small letters “h”, ‘m”, “n”, “p”.

Ascender – is the top portion of a letter or upper loop.

Baseline – maybe actually on a ruled paper, it might be imaginary

alignment of writing. Is the ruled or imaginary line upon which
the writing rest.

Beaded – preliminary embellished initial stroke which usually

occurs in capital letter.

Beard – is the rudimentary initial up stroke of a letter.

Blunt – the beginning and ending stroke of a letter. (without

hesitation)

Body – the main portion of the letter, minus the initial of

stroke. Terminal strokes and the diacritic of any. Example: the
oval of the letter “O” is the body, minus the downward stroke and
the loop.
Bowl – a fully rounded oval or circular form on a letter complete
into “O”.

Buckle/Buckle Knot – a loop made as a flourished which is added

to the letters, as in small letter “k’ and “a” or in capital
letters “A”, “K”, “P”. The horizontal end loop stroke that are
often used to complete a letter.

Cacography – a bad writing

Calligraphy – the art of beautiful writing

Descender – opposite of ascender, the lower portion of a letter.

Diacritic – “t” crossing and dots of the letters “I” and “j”. The
matters of the Indian script are also known as diacritic signs.
An element added to complete a certain letter, either a cross bar
or a dot.

Ending/Terminate Stroke of Toe – the end stroke of a letter.

Eye/Eyelet/Eye Loop – a small loop or curved formed inside the

letters. This may occur inside the oval of the letters “a”, “d”,
“o”. The small loop form by stroke that extend in divergent
direction as in small letters.

Foot – the lower parts which rest on the base line. The small
letter “m” has three feet, and the small letter “n” has two feet.

Habits – any repeated elements or details, which may serve to

individualize writing.

Hesitation – the term applied to the irregular thickening of ink

which is found when writing slows down or stop while the pen take
a stock of the position.

Hiatus/Pen Jump – a gap occurring between continuous strokes

without lifting the pen. Such as occurrence usually occurs due to
speed.

Hook – it is a minute curve or an ankle which often occurs at the

end of the terminal strokes. It is also sometimes occur at the
beginning of an initial stroke. The terminal curves of the
letters “a”, “d”, “n”, “m’, “p”, “u’, are the hook. In small
letter “w” the initial curve is the hook. The minute involuntary
talon like formation found at the commencement of an initial up
stroke or the end terminal stroke.

Hump – upper portion of its letter “m”, “n”, “h”, “k”. The
rounded outside of the top of the bend stroke or curve in small
letter.

Knob – the extra deposit of ink in the initial and terminal

stroke due to the slow withdrawal of the pen from the paper.
(usually applicable to fountain pen)

Ligature/Connection – the strokes which connect two stroke of

letter, characterized by connected stroke between letters.
Long Letter – those letters with both upper and lower loops.

Loop – an oblong curve such as found on the small letters “f”,

“go”, “l” and letters stroke “f” has two. A loop maybe blind or
open. A blind loop is usually the result of the ink having filled
the open space.

Majuscule – a capital letter

Minuscule – a small letter.

Movement Impulses – this refer to the continuity of stroke force

writing is usually produce by disconnected and broken movements
more motion or movement impulses than genuine writing.

Oval – the portion of the letter which is oval in shape. The

small letter stroke “a” , “d” , “g” , and “q” contain oval
letter “a” , “t” while coming down……….
Patching/Retouching – retouching or going back over a defective
portion of a written stroke. Careful patching is common defect on
forgeries.

Pen Lift – an interruption in a stroke caused by removing the

writing instrument from the paper. Disconnection between letters
and letter combination maybe due to lack of movement control.
Using a ball-point pen may cause pen lift due to the failure of
the ball to rotate.
Pen Position or Pen Hold – Is the relative location of the pen in
relation to the paper surface which can be determined by the
presence of the emphasis or pen shading.

Pen Scope – Represents the reach of the hand with the wrist at
rest. It is the average scope or limits of the pen during the
process of writing with the wrist of the hand at still.

Retrace/Retracing – any part of a stroke which is super imposed

upon the original stroke. Is the stroke which goes back over
other writing strokes; it is slightly to occur in others
handwriting. Example: vertical strokes of the letter “d”, “t”
while coming downward from the top to bottom will have a
retracing stokes. Any stroke which goes back over another writing
stroke. In natural handwriting there may be instances in which
the pen doubled back over the course.

Shoulder – outside portion of the top curve, small letter “m” has
three shoulders and the small letter “n” has two, the small
letter “h” has one shoulder.

Spur – a short initial or terminal stroke.

Staff – Any major long downward stroke of a letter that is the

long downward stroke of the letter “b”, “g”.

Stem or Shank – the upright long downward stroke that is the

trunk or stalk, normally seen in capital letters.
Tick/ Hitch – any short stroke, which is usually at the top of
the letters.

Tremor – a writing weakness portrayed by irregular shaky strokes

is described as writing tremor.

Other Terminology Related to Handwriting Examination:

Alignment – is the relation of parts of the whole of writing or

line of individual letters in words to the baseline. It is the
alignment of words. The relative alignment of letters.

Characteristics – is any property or marks which distinguish and

in document examination commonly called to as the identifying
details.

Kinds of Characteristics:

Class characteristics – not all characteristics encountered in

document examination are peculiar to a single person or thing and
one which is common to a group may be described as class
characteristics.

Individual or Personal Characteristics – characteristics which is

highly personal or peculiar and it is unlikely to occur in other
instances.
Collation – side by side comparison. Collation as used in this
text means the critical comparison on side by side examination.
Comparison – the act of setting two or more items side by side to
weigh their identifying qualities. It refers not only a visual
but also the mental act in which the element of one item are
related to the counterparts of the other.

Disguised Writing – a writer may deliberately try to alter his

usual writing habits in hopes of hiding his identity. The result
regardless of their effectiveness is termed disguised writing.

Examination – it is the act of making a close and critical study

of any material and with questioned document, Is the process
necessary to discover the facts about them. Various types are
undertaken including microscopic, visual photographic, chemical,
ultra violet and infra-red examination.

Graphoanalysis – the study of handwriting based on the two

fundamental strokes, the curve and the straight

Graphometry– analysis by comparisons and measurement.

Graphology – the art of determining character disposition and

amplitude of a person from the study of handwriting.

Line quality – is the overall character of the inks lines from

the beginning to the ending strokes.
Two classes:
a. Good line quality
b. poor line quality

Microscopes Examination – any study or examination which is made

with the microscope in other to discover minute details.

Movement – Is an important element in handwriting. It embraces

all the factors which are related to the motion of the writing
instrument skill, speed freedom, hesitation, rhythm, emphasis,
tremors and the like. The manner in which the writing instrument
is move that is by finger, hand, forearm or whole arm.

Natural Writing – any specimen of writing executed normally

without any attempt to control or alter its identifying habits
and its usual quality or execution.

Natural Variation – these are normal or usual deviations found

between repeated specimens of any individual handwriting.

Opinion – in legal language, the Document Examiner’s conclusion.

Actually in court, he not only expresses an opinion but
demonstrate the reasons for arriving at this opinion. Though this
book, opinion and conclusion are used synonymously.

Proportion or Ratio – is the relation between the tall and the

short letter is referred as to the ratio of writing.

Pen Pressure – the average force with which the pen contacts the
paper may be estimated from the examination of the writing. Pen
pressure as opposed to pen emphasis deals with the usual of
average force involved in the writing rather than the period
increases.
Pen Emphasis – the act of intermittently forcing the pen against
the paper surfaces with increase pressure. When the pen point has
flexibility, this emphasis produces shading, but with more rigid
writing points heavy point emphasis can occur in writing with out
any evidence of shading.

Pen Pressure – the average force with which the pen contacts the
paper or the usual force involves in writing. This is one of the
most personal but somewhat hidden characteristics in writing.

Ratio of Writing – it is the relationship between the heights of

the short letters.

Rhythm – is the element of the writing movement which is marked

by regular or periodic recurrences. It may be classed as smooth,
intermittent, or jerky in its quality. The flourishing succession
of motion which are recorded in a written record.

Shading – is the widening of the ink strokes due to the added

pressure on a flexible pen point or to the use of a stub pen.

Skill – in any set there are relative degrees or ability or skill

and a specimen of writing usually contains evidence of the
writer’s proficiency.

Slope/Slant – is the angle or inclination of the axis of the

letters relative to the baseline.
Three Classes:
a. Slant to the left
b. Slant to the right
c. Vertical slant

Speed of Writing – not every one writer as the same rate so that
consideration of the speed of writing may be a significant
identifying element. Writing speed cannot be measured precisely
form the finished handwriting but can be interpose in broad terms
of slow, moderates, or rapid.

BASIS OF HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

Handwriting:

In Wignore’s Principles of judicial proof, handwriting is

defined as a visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost
unconscious expression of fixed muscular habits, reacting from
fixed mental impression of certain ideas associated with script
form.

Environment, education and occupation affect individuals so

variously in the information of this muscular habit that finally
the act of writing becomes an almost automatic succession of acts
stimulated by this habit. Thus a person’s style or writing in
most details becomes as fixed as the habit and serve as a
continuous inseparable mark of that one person.

The imitation of the style of writing by another person

becomes difficult because the other person cannot by mere will
power reproduce in himself all the muscular combination which
from the habit of the first writer.

Physiological Basis of Handwriting:

 The impulse to from a letter begins in the brains writing
center in the cortex. This center is skin to brain areas control
visions, hearing, taking and walking, guides the muscles as they
weave the complex movements that make the words. Since writing in
the mind, emotion and attitudes both path of the mind, influence
how we write just as they influence how we walk and talk.

In writing the pen functions as an extension of the hand.

The fingers transmit to the paper, the directive impulse and the
variation in muscular tension that according to the nature of the
writer’s nervous organization occur during the act of writing.

Hence as each writer has his own way of holding his hand,
manipulating the pen, and exerting pressure, the same pen in
different hands will produce entirely different strokes.

This center near the motor area of the cortex responsible

for the finger movement involved in handwriting. The importance
of this center is that when it becomes diseased as in a graphic,
one loses the ability to write although he could still grasp a
fountain pen, ball pen or pencil.
Thus the ability or power to hold a fountain pen or pencil
to from symbols and words can be said to emanate from its
cortical center.

The hands contain two kinds of muscles which function is in

the act of writing. A group of extensor muscles push up the pen
to form the upward strokes and ease the tension produced as a
result of flaxen by a group of muscle called the flexor muscles
which push the pen to from the downward strokes.

This flexor and extensor muscles combined with numerical

muscle to form lateral strokes.

Generally speaking, four groups of muscles are employed in

writing. Those which operate the joints of the fingers, wrist,
elbow, and shoulder. The delicate way in which the various
muscles used in writing work together to produce written from is
known as motor coordination.

Kinds of Writing Movements:

1. Finger Movement – Is mostly employed in “vertical writing” and

mainly in the formation of printed styles of writing. Letters are
formed by the actions of the thumb, index and the middle finger.
This is the movement employed by children, or generally by those
with whom writing is an unfamiliar process, it is otherwise
called as the “push and Pull writing”.
Characteristics:
a. It results to an inferior or poor quality of writing with
lack of rhythm and speed.
b. Spacing is cropped up and the dashes are usually absent.
c. Finishes are done in irregular and abrupt manner or are
varied between letters.
d. Pen usually starts resting on the paper and ends with
short and abrupt strokes due to limited and irregular movements
of the fingers.
e. Shading is pronounced.
f. Lack of clear-cut, smooth and regular lines.

2. Hand Movement – It involves the action of the hand as a whole

with the fingers playing but a minor role (mainly in the
formation of small letters) and the wrist is the pivotal of the
lateral movement.
Characteristics:
a. Affords more expensive writing.
b. Narrow connections at the top and bottom of letters.
c. There is a considerable speed in movements.
d. More regularity of the lines.

3. Forearm (or Muscular) Movement – Writing is produced by the

movement of the hand and arm and also fingers in some cases. The
elbow is the pivotal of the lateral movement.
Characteristics:
a. Shows the greatest freedom and speed.
b. Smooth clear cut as indicative of rhythm.
c. Slight shading is produced.
d. More even baseline.
e. Lateral movements in longer making the shifting of the
writing hand fewer.
f. Uniformity in size of letters.
This movement once used in imitation of genuine
writing will make difficulties in its examination.

4. Whole Forearm Movement – It involves the action of the entire

arm without rest and is employed in very large writing.
Ornamental penmanship, blackboard writing, and by a few writers
in making all the capital letters are some of the writing where
this movement is being employed.

A more or less definite pattern for each is stored away in

the subjective mind but the hand does not always produce a
stereotype duplicate of that pattern. This is due to extraneous
influences such as fatigue, lack of nervous tone, or muscular
coordination, sickness and the like.

The hand ordinarily is not an instrument of precision and

therefore we may not expect every habitual manual operation to be
absolutely uniform. The greater this skill in the art of
penmanship, the less the various there will be in the form of
individualize letters as well as in the writing as a whole.

Kinds of Writing:

1. Cursive – connected writing

2. Script – separated writing
3. Block – capitalized writing

Development of Writing:

1. Children learn writing by following the school copy model.

2. After acquiring some degree of skill the children no longer
follow the school model.

3. As speed increasing, conscious design and regularity begin to

breakdown.
4. In the course of trial and error, modification are made,
simplification and elaboration, addition and omission occur.
The writing pattern of each child embodies a unique
combination of such deviation from the standard letter forms or
school model, and becomes his personal habits.
Although, thousands learn the same system and that the
natural result is identity, but facts show that it is not because
those who were taught the dame system or school copy a class of
writes, but such impairs does not by any means produce a slavish
uniformity.
Variation begins as soon as writing begins and continues
till each writer in the way that seems best and easiest to him.
No two persons write exactly alike and no reproduction of a
handwritten document can duplicate completely all the detailed of
the original writing.

Handwriting Problems:

1. A signature contested by its author which in reality is

genuine and corresponds perfectly to the ordinary and habitual
signatures of that person.
2. A signature contested by its author which in reality was
written by him but in a way which was different from the ordinary
manner and which is more or less different from the common
genuine signatures of that person.

3. A signature contested by its author which in reality was

written by a third person and which is a forgery written in an
attempted imitation of a model.

4. A spurious signature written by somebody who did not attempt

to imitate the signature of a person and who uses a fictitious
name and this to give his work the appearance of a signature.

5. An uncontested signature, in fact, genuine but written by an

unknown person whose name must be deciphered by the document
examiner.

Writing Habits:

Writing by all its thousand of peculiarities in combination

is the most personal and individuals thing a man does that leaves
a record which he can seen and studies. This is what constitutes
individuality in handwriting.

Writing habits learned in the early years are those habits

which are part of a basic system or which are modifications of
the system of writing found among so large a group of writers
that they have only slight identification value. These might
include an open top ”O” and an ”A” or a looped “T” which occur in
many rapid careless handwriting.

A few of these early habits learned by the child are those

slant of letters “l”, “d”, “b”, “g”, “t” with small letters like
letters “n”, “m”, “I”, “o”, “e” and also form and design of
letters. These groups of habits are also called general or class
characteristics.

Another group of writing characteristics or habits is termed

individuals habits. Any writing habit or character in writing
maybe modified and individualized by different writers in many
different ways in many varying degrees and the writing
individuality of any particular writer is made up of all those
common and uncommon characteristics and habits.

It is always in the combination of particulars that

identifies and necessarily the more numerous and usual the
various elements and features, the more certain and identity. No
two persons write alike.
 An individual characteristic maybe the survival of an error
when writing was learned. An individual characteristic maybe
caused by the conscious influence of the writing of other that we
frequently see.

Various individual characteristics in writing also grow out

of the purpose for which writing is used and the amount of
writing done. One who writes much will develop many individual
qualities while the one who does practically no writing will
continue to write the general system acquired in school.

Thus, in the development of writing, basic forms or school

copy or system of writing, are imposed upon the writer. And
later, after a degree of manipulative skill has been acquired,
writers refashion these basic forms in his own individual way.

He develops a personal style in his writing which becomes as

fixed as the habit in most details and serve as a continuous
inseparable mark of that one person.

Significance of school Copy Forms or Systems Characteristics as

Basic in the Identification of Handwriting:

1. Similarities of form are not indicative of identity unless

they concern unusual form or what are termed deviations from the
normal. Similarities are bound to occur in different writings but
such similarities exist only in letters which are normal in form,
the fact bears no significance.

2. All differences in form are indicated of non-identity.

3. The likeness in form maybe general and simply indicate the

class or genus or the difference that does not differentiate
maybe nearly superficial.

4. In many systems of writing, the date and influences of system

of writing have an important bearing on the question of genuine
or of forgery and in other cases, the presence of European
characteristics in handwriting is a vital and controlling fact.

Stroke:

A stroke is the path traced by the pen on the paper. It

should be observed whether the course of the strokes is
continuous or broken. The pen stroke is the visual record of the
writing movement.

Qualities of the Strokes:

1. Expansion – whether the movement is extended or limited in its

range with respect to both vertical and horizontal dimension.

2. Coordination – whether the flow of movement is controlled or

uncertain, smooth or jerky, continuous or interrupted.

3. Speed – whether the movement has been rapid or slow and

whether the space has been steady or variable.

4. Pressure – whether the pressure exerted in the movement on its

upward and downward reach.

5. Direction – Leftward or rightward trend of they movement and

its upward and downward reach.
6. Rhythm – In the sequence of movements that wave the total
pattern, certain similar phases recur at more or less regular
interval.

Motor Coordination:

The special way in which the various muscles used in writing

work together to produced written forms. Generally speaking, four
groups of muscles are employed in writing. Those which operate
respectively the joints of the finger, wrist, elbow and shoulder.

Characteristics of Motor Coordination:

1. Free, smelt rounded curve.

2. Gradual changes of directions.
3. Pressure is always in a state of change, moving from light to
heavy or from heavy to light.
4. Speed
5. The shading impulse is distributed over a considerable length
of the line whereas in writing produced with a slow motion as in
the finger movement, the shading often has a “bunchay”
appearance, in which the maximum width of the shaded line is
attained abruptly.

Rhythm in Handwriting:

Rhythm is a succession of connected, uniform strokes working

in full coordination. Manifested by clear-cut accentuated strokes
which increase and decrease in which like perfect cones. Pressure
is always in a state of change moving from light to heavy or from
heavy to light.

Lack of Rhythm:

Characterized by a succession of awkward, independent,

poorly directed and disconnected motions.

Importance of Rhythm:

By studying the rhythm of the succession of strokes, one can

determine if the writer normally and spontaneously or write with
hesitation as if he is attempting to for another signature.

Letter of Connections:

Determine the essential expression of the writing pattern.

It is mean indicator of the neuro-muscular function. Words are
form by connection letters to one another.

Even letters are formed by the joining of the upward and

downward strokes. These types of connections are:

1. Arcade – a rounded stroke shaped like an arch. It is a slow

mode of connection resulting from controlled movements.

2. Garland – links the downward stroke to the upstrokes with a

flowing curve swinging from left to right. It is an easy,
effortless mode of connection, written with speed.

3. Angular Connective Form – where the downward strokes and

upward strokes meet directly, angular connection are formed.
These types of connection impose a check on the continuity of
movement characterized by an abrupt stop and start each turning
point.

4. The Threadlike Connective Form – the joining of downward and

upward strokes is slurred to a threadlike tracing or where
rounded turns used at both top and bottom produce a double curve.
These forms appear both in the shaping of letters within the
word.

STANDARDS OR EXEMPLARS

They are known writings which indicate how a person writes.

A writer manifests fixed habits in his writings that identify
him. This fact provides the basis for an opinion of conclusion
regarding any writing identification problems.

General Classes of Handwriting Standards:

1. Collected Standards – are known (genuine) handwriting of an

individual such as signature and endorsements on canceled checks,
legal papers, commercial, official, public and private document
and other handwriting such as letters, memoranda, etc. Written in
the course of daily life, both business and socials.

2. Request Standards – are signature or other handwritings (or

hand printings) written by an individual upon request for the
purpose of comparison with other handwriting or for specimen
purposes.

3. Post Liten Motan Exemplars – writings produced by the subject

after evidential writings have come into dispute and solely for
the purpose of establishing his contentions.

In most instances, collected standards are preferable to

request standards, though both types should be submitted if
available. Standards should be collected from a period dated
within a year of the date questioned document, with some written
within weeks or days of the questioned writing.

Types of Standards Desirable for Comparison Use in the Two Most

Common Types of Questioned Documents Problems:

a. Submit collected and request standards signature from both

individual case.
b. When anonymous letter writings other than signature are in
questioned.

1. Submit request standards writings of general nature from both

victim and suspects (as much standards as possible to obtain
within reason)
2. Submit request standards of the questioned text written (or
printed) – at least 3 writings by the suspect/s and in some
instanced by the victim)

Suggested Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards in

all Types of Questioned Document Problems:

1. Have the subject seated in a natural position at table or desk

having smooth writing surface.

2. Furnish subject with paper and writing instrument similar to

those used in questioned writings, lie: paper should be same
size, and ruled or unruled; as questioned document: if questioned
document is in written furnish subject with pen and ink, etc.

3. Never permit subject to see any writing on questioned

document.

4. Dictate material to be written (or printed, if questioned

material is hand printed): give no assistance in spelling or
arrangement on page. Dictate at a rate of speed which will
produce the subject natural writing habits. Too slow dictation
will enable subject to attempt disguise, to rapid dictation will
produce normal writing.

5. Remove each specimen upon completion by subject number in

consequence, date, time and identify by initiating each, and
request subjects to sign each specimen.

6. Observe all writing done by subjects and indicate any attempt

at disguise, as well as whether subjects appears to be normally
right or left handed, etc.

Special Procedure for Taking Request Handwriting Standards Where

Checks Forgery is Changed or Suspected:

1. Furnish subjects with check blanks similar to the questioned

check/s.

2. Dictate the entries to be made on specimen checks as follows:

a. Date - same as shown on questioned check
b. Payee - do –
c. Amount - do –
d. Signature - do –
e. Endorsement - do –
f. Any other writing shown on questioned check.
g. Give subjects to help or suggestions in completing
specimen checks.

Miscellaneous:

a. The laboratory should be informed of the age apparent health

and physical condition of the time standards are written.
b. Do not fold, staple or pin document, handle questioned
documents with care.
c. Indicate in the sample handwriting the time, place, date,
signature of writer as well as witness of the handwriting.

Sources of Signatures Written in the Course of Daily Affairs:

1. Canceled checks.
2. Signature cards for savings, checking and charge accounts and
safe deposit boxes.
3. Signed receipts for telegrams, special delivery or registered
letters, express and store packages, etc.
4. Business and personal letters.
5. Credit applications and cards.
6. Signature on sales slips, on job orders slips, requisition
slips, and purchase slips.
7. Leases, mortgages, agreements, bills of sale, contracts,
deeds, notes stock certificates and transfers and other legal or
business documents.
8. Court records and affidavits, such as naturalization papers,
bankruptcy proceedings, divorce papers, probated wills and estate
files, powers of attorney, etc.
9. Passports, marriage application, license and affidavits.
10. Driver automobile chauffeur, and other types of licensee
applications.
11. Application for gas, electricity, water and telephone
services.
12. Loan application and receipts.
13. Tax returns or affidavits.
14. Insurance and employment applications.
15. Records from currency exchanges, check cashing agencies and
pawnshop.
16. Time sheets, payroll, pay receipts and personal forms.
17. Barangay registrations, petitions.
18. Relief and unemployment and old age compensation records.
19. Signature for certain drug purchases, hotel registrations.
20. Church, club, professional society records.
21. Veteran records.
22. Fingerprint records.
23. School or university class records and cards.
24. Application for clearances like in the office of municipal
and city courts, city fiscals office, N.B.I. and other government
and private offices.
25. Application for firearms and licenses.
26. Application for commission and enlistments in the AFP and
foreign armed forces offices.
27. Application for export and import and dollar allocations
28. Identification cards.
29. Application for right like water rights, copyrights, patents,
franchises, etc.
30. Application for civil service examination, board and bar
examinations.
31. Application for scholarships.
32. Residence certificate, class A and B, reservist data sheet.
33. Others.

Factors to Consider in the Selection of Standards:

1. Good writing standards should be sufficient to define

accurately the identifying habits as well as the kind and extent
of variation typical of the writer’s handwriting under any
specific writing condition. (Hilton)

2. If the questioned handwriting was executed under abnormal

conditions it is necessary to look for standards prepared under
comparable circumstances.

3. The style of the writing contained in the standards or

exemplars should be similar to the style of the questioned
writings. If the questioned writings are hand printed, then get
hand printed standards or exemplars.

4. Same instrument used in the preparation of the questioned

document must be obtained in the standards. If the signature was
written by ball pen in ruled paper and above a typewritten name,
standards prepared under similar conditions should be selected.
If the questioned handwriting was written a pencil, then
standards written should be contemporaneous with standards
exemplars. The ideal standards are those before, on and after the
date of the questioned writing. The interval of years between the
questioned and standards should not exceed more than five years.

According to Ordway Hilton, an authority on the subject of

standards, selection of standard must be very carefully
controlled if the standards describe accurately and completely
how a person writes.

If the writing in question was prepared under normal writing

conditions, in respect to the physical surroundings and the
writer’s health no difficult problem will arise, and comparison
on the basis of ten or twenty contemporary signatures written
under comparable physical condition will give accurate results.
But some problems are complicated and harder to solve. This
includes the following:

1. Signature of the careless or highly unreliable writer. There

is a group of writers who execute their signatures with lack of
consistency. With 74 or 100 known signatures, the examiner may
still be confused to account for some rare peculiarity which
occurs in the questioned signature. With a writer of this type,
even a series of signatures written within a week or so of the
questioned signature may show great variation.

2. Receipt signature. Is has same lack of consistency but only

when a writer is signing for a delivery, such as letter or
telegram. Under other conditions his signature is consistently
uniforms and superior in form.

3. Near-illiterate writer. Writing is a slow and difficult task.

The signature is drawn, slow and its designs are primitive.
Problems involving these signatures tend to be troublesome.

4. Signatures of physical impaired writer.

a. The intoxicated signature – generally, deterioration in

writing can be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. The
writing skill declines although other writers still continue to
write with skill.
- successive signatures wander away from the normal design
and also the design of the immediately preceding signature
written in somewhat unpredictable way – successive specimens
written during the same night of drinking vary greatly in many
identifying elements. Our problem is how to obtain comparable
specimens which can be used effectively in accurately identifying
a signature which clearly reflects the influence of excess
alcohol.

b. Old age deterioration – very difficult problems may be

encountered with signatures which have seriously deteriorated due
to the writers age or to terminal illness. Writing is
characterized by a lack of fluency in the execution and
inaccuracy and inconsistency in details of form. Study of a
series of signature to signature than was typical of vigorous
signatures of earlier years. The inconsistency of these
signatures complicates the problem. In order to reach the most
accurate conclusions, two or three times the normal number of
signatures may be needed, and must be closer in date to the
signature in question than in the usual case.

c. The sick bed signature – infirm signature written on a sick

bed represent badly deteriorated signatures of a writer who
subsequently regains some or all of his writing vigor. A
signature of this kind may have been immediately after a serious
accident or operation when it was believed essential to execute
the particular document.
- period of illness are not times when one is appropriate to
do much waiting and so there may be only limited numbers of
signatures write. Thus the right kind of standards, therefore are
extremely difficult to locate, if the exist at all.

5. Disguised signature or writing. - the questioned writing of

the may be disguised that the problem becomes more confusing to
the document examiner. If the questioned signature is disguised,
specimens written under normal condition cannot be used for
comparison. The examination is therefore hampered by the lack of
truly adequate and proper standards.

Admissibility of Standard Writing:

Standard used by the document examiner in an identification

problem are vital importance to him. If some of the standard
writings on which the document examiner bases his conclusion
cannot be introduced, then the document examiner may not be able
to provide convincing or his testimony may be weakened.

Classes of Standard Writings Which are Admissible for Comparison

Purposes:

1. Standard Writings Witnessed. – The courts accept as sufficient

proof that evidence in the form of uncontradicted testimony of a
competent eyewitness to the execution of writing is sufficient to
permit the use of such writings as standard to test other
writing.
- It was not necessary for the witness actually to have
watched the pen of the writer as it passed over the paper where
it appeared that there was no other as person present at the time
but he write and the witnesses that the writing was done in the
witnesses presence and that writer then gave them the paper.
- Included in this class of admissible standards are
writings voluntarily prepared by a party in the presence of an
investigator, these generally are known as requested writings.

2. Standards Writings Admitted. – It the party whom a handwriting

standard is to be admits the geniuses of the standards it could
hold that further proof of genuineness is unnecessary.

3. Record Maintained in Regular Course of Business as Standard

Writings. Generally, the contexts of records maintained in the
regular course of business are admissible as an exemption to the
hearsay rule, as proof of their contents.
- However, their acceptance as such does not in itself
establish the writings as a standard for comparison.
Circumstantial evidence, particularly in civil cases, has been
held to be sufficient proof to admit records of this nature as
standard of writing for comparison.

4. Government Document as Standard Writings. – Signatures of

government officials on document treated as authentic and
produced from official archives may be admitted in evidence as
standard of comparison whether being as issue as to the forgery
of the signature of the same persons on other documents.

5. Ancient Writings. – The courts have admitted writings on

ancient document as standard for comparison.

6. Other Writings Standards. – Among writings admissible as

standard are signature on spelling motion or other instruments,
such as an appearance bond, which may without further proof of
genuineness be used as a standard.
7. Familiarity Sometimes Establish Standard Writings. – Testimony
to the genuineness of a collection of standard of writing by
witnesses who are familiar with a person’s handwriting.

8. Opinion Evidence. – The court seem to be in general agreement

that proof of the genuineness of a standard cannot be established
by the opinion of experts testifying from a comparison of the
writing sought to be used as standard with another writing.

9. Genuineness of Standard Decided by Court. – The sufficient of

the proof of the genuineness of a standard of writing is a matter
to be decided by the court.

HOW TO PREPARE AND COLLECT HANDWRITING STANDARDS

Principal Points to Consider Regarding Collected Standards:

1. The amount of standard written.

a. Signature - twenty to twenty five
b. Writing - usually five or seven pages of natural writing

2. Similarly of subject matter.

a. Compare conventional copy book from with conventional
copy-book form standard; and compare highly individualized
questioned signature with highly individualized standards
signatures.
b. Extended writing – determine whether the questioned
writing is purely cursive, or script, or block, or combination of
the three or two styles of writing.

3. Relative dates of the questioned and the standards writing.

- standard signatures or writing must be those written five
years before or five years after the date of the questioned
signature or writing.

4. Condition under which both the questioned and the standard are
prepared.
a. Paper rested on the knee
b. Standing
c. Sitting
d. Lying down
e. Moving vehicle
- The document examiner must make a brief investigation into
the condition under which a document was written.

5. Writing instrument and paper.

a. Paper – Determine whether the questioned writing was
written in the ruled pad paper or plain paper.
b. Writing instrument – Determine whether the questioned
writing was written in ball point pen, fountain pen, etc.

For Requested and Dictated Standards:

1. Material must be dictated to the suspect/s.

2. Carefully select the dictated. Do not dictate the entire
content of the anonymous letter.
3. Adequate amount of writing must be included.
4. Some portion of the dictation should be repeated at least
three times.
5. Writing instrument and paper should be similar to those used
in preparing the questioned document.
6. The dictation should be interrupted at intervals.
7. Normal writing conditions should be arranged.
 As much as possible the combination of the collected and
requested standards must be used in the comparison in order to
obtain an adequate and accuracy of the opinion.

For Typewriting Standards:

1. If the typewriting ribbon is obviously now, remove it to the

laboratory with the typewriting exemplars prepared from another
ribbon. (the text of the material in question may still be
visible on the ribbon).

2. Use of about the same size as the questioned materials, type

out a full word copy of the message in question, typographical
errors, using nearly as possible the same degree of touch as that
used in typing the questioned materials.

3. After placing the typewriter in a stencil position or removing

the cloth ribbon, obtain samples of each character on the
keyboard by typing through carbon paper which has been inserted
carbon side down over a piece of white bond paper.

4. Make certain that each specimen contain the make, model and
serial number of the typewriter from which it was produced as
well as the date and initials of the offices.

5. Typewriter specimen should be taken from suspect typewriter/s.

It is usually not necessary to forward the typewriter to the
laboratory it complete known exemplars are obtained.

6. If possible, after a typewritten exemplar is obtained from a

suspect typewriter, the investigator insures that the typewriter
is kept in its current condition. With evidence thus obtained
from typewritten documents the laboratory experts is in position
to find valuable assistance to the solution and subsequent
prosecution of many cases.

Indication of Disguised Writings:

1. Abnormally large writing.

2. Abnormally small writing.
3. Alteration in slant (usually backhand)
4. Usually variation in slant within a single unit of writing
(within a single signature)
5. Printed forms instead of cursive forms.
6. Decrease in the usual speed of writing.
7. Unusual widening or restriction of lateral spacing.

Kinds of Disguises:

1. Change of slant – from right to left or vice versa.

2. Change of letter, either from cursive to block style or vice
versa.
3. Change from cursive (conventional style) to block form or vice
versa.
4. Change of style from small to big or vice versa.
5. Deteriorating one’s handwriting.
6. Using the wrong hand. (Ambidextrous)

Evidence of Alcoholic Intoxication in Handwriting:

1. Bizarre letter forms.

2. Greatly enlarge writing.
3. Illegible forms and writing generally.
4. Uneven baseline.
5. Meaningless blobs or extraneous strokes in the writing.
6. Inconsistency in slant of writing.
7. Inconsistency in the form of repeated letters.

Importance of Contemporaneous Standard:

For the reason that characteristics and qualities of

handwriting gradually change with many writes, the alleged date
of writing in question and the actual date of all standard
writing should be known, because of this possibility of change
the standard always should include all that are available within
a certain definite period; including the item when it is claimed
the questioned writing was written.

If it is alleged that writing was produced under unusual

surrounding of any kind, this fact should be known by the
examiner. If the writer was subjects to unusual changes in
physical or mental condition due to age, disease or personal
habits, or through any cause, these facts also should be known.
Certain general qualities in handwriting necessarily are affected
by conditions of the writer or surrounding the writer and often
it is necessary to determine whether the written results are in
harmony with alleged condition.

HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

Principle of Identification:

When any two specimens of handwritings contain a combination

of corresponding or similar and specifically oriented
characteristics of such number and significance as to preclude
the possibility of their occurrence by mere coincidence, and
there are no unaccounted for difference, it may be concluded that
they are similar in writing characteristics and therefore written
by one and the same person.

Writing as a whole is a combination of certain forms which

are the visible result of a series of controlled successive
movement that follows the fixed grooves of habits.

These writing habits like habits of speech become so

automatic and unconscious that even by the most demanding effort,
it is almost impossible to change them. It is one of the most
permanent of human habits.

Early developed and mature handwriting shows peculiarities

which are combination of all various and their cannot be exactly
duplicated in the writing of any other person.

General Characteristics:

These characteristics refer to those habits are part of

basic writing system or which are modifications of the system of
writing found among so large a group of writes that have only
slight identification value.

They might include an open top small letter “t” which occurs
in any rapid careless writings, proportion of all letters to
medium letters, slant connection and combination of letters.
 General similarities can certainly form a part of the basic
identification but here must be very unique combinations of them
and of individual or personal writing indicate the class or genus
or the difference that does not differentiate may prove lack of
genuineness.

Individual Characteristics:

They are characteristics which are the result of the

writer’s muscular control, coordination, age health, and nervous
temperament, frequency of writing, personality and character. No
two persons write alike. They are found in the following:

1. Writing movement – the character of writing movement is a

primary determinant of writing speed. It makes more time to make
a long one. More time to form a small solid letter than a form a
large “racy one”. Short, steady lines suggest a firmly controlled
and purposeful movement. A feather edged “broken line” suggest a
slowly executed movement.

2. Form and design of letters – all differences in form and

design of letters are indicative of non-identity.
Similarities of form are not indicative of identity they
concern unusual forms or what are termed deviations from the
normal. Similarities are bound to occur in different writings but
such similarities exist only in letters which are normal in from,
which facts bear no significance.
Those which occur only occasionally are next importance. The
writing pattern of letters has three dimensions, width, depth,
height.

3. Muscular control or motor control – is characterized by free

smooth, well regulated movements produced without tension or
impulsive variation. Deviations from true motor or muscular
control are:
a. Loose writing – this is characterized by too much freedom
of movement and lack of regulation. This is noticed especially in
tall letters forms.
b. Restrained writing – there is a lack of freedom and
inhibited movements. It gives you the impression that every
stroke was made with great difficulty. This writing is small.
There is distortion of letter forms which may lead to
illegibility. However small writing is not always evidence of
restrained movement fatigue during long periods of writings. True
full-arm movement can be employed only under rather ideal
conditions such as while sitting at a clean table or desk.

4. Motor coordination – the efficient way which the various

muscles writing work together to produce written forms. A writer
with a good motor coordination writes without mental strain,
forming his letters without conscious attention. The hand moves
as soon as the mind conceives a word to write and the word is
there on the paper. There are times when one set of muscles do
not properly yield to the pressure of the other set muscles
especially at junction and the conflict hinders the normal flow
of the pen. This dis-coordination of writing muscles leaves a
distinct mark which is visible under magnification. Two writers
of the same class may not have equal coordination or dis-
coordination their writings. Each write has his own width regard
to alignment and the relative position of the letters.

Faculty Coordination is Characterized by the Following:

a. Wavering and very irregular line or strokes with uncertain and
unsteady progress. There is no freedom of movement along the
strokes of the letter forms. The writing is obviously very slow
and is typical of the writing of a young child or for any one who
painstaking draws a picture of an unfamiliar form.

b. Angular line – a very common fault of coordination. Curves,

large and small are not smoothly rounded and there is no gradual
change of direction. On the contrary, and angle marks almost
every change are direction in the line. Investigation has
disclosed that angles are accompanied by a lessening of writing
speed.

c. Shading – in forearm movement where considerable speed is

used, there is ordinarily but slight shading if any. The shading
impulse here is distributed over a considerable length of the
line whereas writing produced with a slow motion as in the finger
movement the shading often has a “bunchay” appearance that is to
say, the maximum width of the shaded line is attained abruptly.
The shading impulse is firmly grounded and difficult to overcome.
It is basis of its degree and location. Some writers place the
greatest emphasis on the straight strokes, others on the curves.

6. Skill – legibility and symmetry are the basis upon which one’s
skill or pictorial aspect is judged. Skill is classified as poor,
medium, and good.

7. Alignment – good alignment is obtained by a forearm movement

in which the elbow joint is used as the center or pivot of
lateral motion and arm is held at right angles to the line or
writing. This set-up allows the hand and forearm to swing left
and right in an arc and also permitting the forearm to rotate so
that the palm may be turned downward or upward.

8. Pen pressure – one of the most reliable indications of

naturalness in handwriting is the rhythmical and fluent
application of pressure and release of pressure. This indicate
that pressure is always in a state of change moving form light to
heavy or form heavy to light.

9. Connection – the connective form determines the essential

expression of the writing pattern. It is the main indicator of
his neuromuscular function. Connections used may be rounded like
the garland and the arcade, angular and threads. They form the
letter and ink them within the words.

10. Pen hold – this location of the shading can give clue to how
the fountain pen is held. If the pen is held pointing to the
right shoulder, shading appears fairly high or long the sides of
circular form. This is shown in small letter ‘d”. If the pen is
held pointing away from the right shoulder, shading tends to
appear at the top and the bottom of circular formation such as
small letters “o”, “a”, and “d”.

11. Rhythm – this characteristic is an importance indicator of a

natural writing movement. It is caused by a contraction and
relaxation of group of muscles in full coordination. Pressure is
always in a state of change from light to heavy or vice versa.

12. Disconnections or pen lifts between letters – this

characteristic may be due to lack of movement control or closely
related to design of letters and habits controlling this
characteristic where acquired when writing was learned. Many free
writers don’t stop the motion of the pen every time it is raised
so that the notion itself may be learning to write are taught to
take up the pen before the small letters “a”, “c”, “d”, “g”, “q”,
and “t” and the design of certain styles of these small letters
requires that the pen be raised.
13. Speed – speed of writing which is correlated with naturalness
of handwritings frequently shown by slurring of letter forms.

Indication of Speed Writing:

a. Smooth, unbroken strokes and rounded forms.

b. Frequent signs or tendencies to the right.
c. Marked uncertainly as to the location of the dots of small
letters “i”, “j” and crosses of small letter “t”.
d. Increased naturalness of words or small letter “t” connected
with the following words.
e. Letters shortened or degenerated almost to illegibility toward
the end of words.
f. Wide writing – width of letters is greater than the
connecting spaces adjoining it.
g. Great difference in emphasis between upstrokes and down
strokes.
h. Marked simplification of letters especially capital letters.
i. Rising line.
j. Increased pen pressure.
k. Increase in the margin to left at the beginning of the line.

Indication of Slow Writing:

a. Wavering forms and broken strokes.

b. Frequent signs or tendencies to the left.
c. Conspicuous certainly as to the location of the dots of small
letters “I”, “j”, or “t” crosses with just perceptible deviation
from the intended direction.
d. Frequent pauses by meaningless blobs, angles divided letters
and retouches.
e. Careful execution of detail of letters, toward the end or
names.
f. Narrow writing.
g. No difference in emphasis in upstroke and down stroke.
h. Ornamental or flourishing connections.
i. Sinking lines.

14. Slant as a writing habit – under certain conditions, slant

becomes highly significant and with many writers in one of the
most fixed of habits. Slight divergence in the few strokes of a
single signature may be very strong evidence of lack of
genuineness when such divergence is part of a combination of
character pointing to a writer of a different system of writings
from the imitated. A slight but persistent difference in slant in
two writings of considerable length may be evidence difference
might be the result of intended disguise.

15. Proportion of letters as an individual characteristic or

habit – this characteristic refer to the proportion of the upper
and lower loops of capital and small letters and to the medium
letters.

16. Quality of stroke or line quality – the line or stroke itself

in writing shows the quality of speed and continuity of motion
with which it is made, the degree of muscular skill employed in
the operation, the relation of the pen point to the surface of
the paper, the nature of the movement employed in making the
stroke as shown by its force and freedom or its hesitation.

17. Variation – there are trivial or superficial differences

which can be observed when any two genuine signature or writings
are compared with each other. These writings will differ somewhat
in size as well as in certain unimportant particulars in design
and execution because of the fact that the human writing
mechanism is not an entirely accurate reproducing instrument like
a stamp print but produces and inevitable variation within a
certain field. The degree of this variation varies with different
writers.

Causes of Variations:

a. Function of some external condition example: influence of the

available space.

b. Abnormal conditions such as physical injury, toxic effects,

vibration, emotion and deception.

c. Position of letter – all the letters are to be found

initially, medially, and finally. The fact of a different
position, especially in combination with another and particular
letter, may modify any of them in some way or another.

Classes of Individual Characteristics:

a. Permanent characteristics – can be found always in his

writings.

b. Common or usual – can be found in a group of writers who

studied the same system of writing.

c. Occasional – only found occasionally in his writing.

d. Rare – special to the writer and perhaps found only in one or

two persons in a group of one hundred individuals.

Fundamental Law as Which Govern the Conclusion in Handwriting

Identification Problems:

a. A signature naturally and genuinely written under normal

condition contain all of the individual habits of the writer’s
signature which are put into it in a way that is consistent with
his writing ability and the writing quality of his signature.

b. A signature is fraudulent if it contains habits,

qualities or elements which are significantly different from
genuine signatures written under similar conditions.

Probative Value of Writing Characteristics:

It is impossible to illustrate and define all the thousands

of actual and possible individual qualities and characteristics
of writing and weight and measure their comparative values for
the reason that these values differ greatly with different
writers and under varying conditions. It is very important to
have an understanding of the principles by which the force and
significance of characteristics are to be measured.

Some General Principles Can be Stated That Apply in Most Cases:

 a. Those identifying or differentiating characteristics are
of the most force which is most divergent from the regular system
or national features of a particular handwriting under
examination.

b. Those repeated characteristics which are inconspicuous

should be first be sought for and should be given the most
weight, for these are likely to be so unconscious that they would
not intentionally be omitted when the attempt is made to disguise
and would not be successfully copies from the writing of another
when simulation is attempted.

c. Ordinary system or national features and element are not

alone sufficient characteristics necessarily have as evidence of
identity as stated above, it present in sufficient number and in
combination with individuals qualities and characteristics.

Correct Conclusion:

To reach the conclusion that two writings are written by the

same hand, characteristics or “dents” and “scratches” in
sufficient quantity to exclude the theory of accidental
coincidence; to reach the conclusion that writings are by
different hands, we may find numerous likeliness in class
characteristics but divergences in individual characteristics or
we may find divergences in both but the divergence must be
something more than mere superficial differences.
If the conclusion of identifying is reached, there must not
remain significant differences that cannot reasonably be
explained. This ignoring of the differences or the failure
properly to account for them is the cause of the errors in
handwriting identification.

A Document Examiner usually observes a scientific approach

in the examination of the disputed writing. The possibility that
handwriting being identifiable and separated from others largely
depends on any individuals who have developed the complex
structural product of modifying normal practice and adapting to
the needs and abilities. Although there is no specified approach,
the following are always observed:

a. Recognition of handwriting characteristic – one must

acquire the ability to distinguish what are the style and
individual characteristics. Distinguish characteristics which are
normal and disguise.

b. Comparison of handwriting characteristics – make

allowance to the presence of natural variation in handwriting.

c. Evaluation of handwriting characteristics for opinion

purposes – evaluate the significance and number of similarities
and dissimilarities in handwriting.

Examples of Common Characteristics:

a. Ordinary copy-book form.

b. Usual systematic slant.
c. Ordinary scale of proportion or ratio.
d. Conventional spacing.

How Individual Characteristics are Acquired:

a. Outgrowth of definite teaching.

 b. Result of imitation.
c. Accidental condition or circumstances.
d. Expression of certain mental and physical trains of the
writer as affected by education, by environment and by
occupation.

Examples of Some of the Individual Characteristics:

a. Hook to the right and hook to the left.

b. Shape, position, size and angle of “I” dots “t” crossing.
c. Idiosyncrasies
d. Bulbs and distinctive initial and final pen pressure.
e. Embellishment, added strokes and free movement endings.
f. Abbreviation of letters.
g. Simple and compound curves and graceful endings.
h. Labored movement producing ragged lines.
i. Terminal shadings and forceful endings.
j. Presence and influence of foreign handwriting, with the
introduction of Greek “e’.

Movement or Manner of Execution:

1. Kinds of movement
a. Forearm
b. Whole arm

2. Quality of movement
a. Awkward, illiterate and uncertain.
b. Hesitating and painful due to weakness and illness.
c. Strong, heavy and forceful.
d. Nervous and irregular.
e. Smooth, flowing and rapid.

3. Speed
a. Slow and drawn
b. Deliberate
c. Average
d. Rapid

4. Different movements employed affect wring in:

a. Smoothness
b. Directness
c. Uniformity
d. Continuity of strokes
e. Connecting or curves between letters

Points to Consider in Examining Extended Writing:

(Anonymous, threat, poison letters)

1. Uniformity – does the questioned writing have smooth, rhythmic

and free flowing appearance?

2. Irregularities – does the questioned writing appear awkward,

ill-formed slowly drawn?

3. Size and proportion – determine the height go the overall

writing as well as the heights go the individual strokes in
proportion to each other.
4. Alignment – are they horizontally aligned, or curving, uphill
or downhill?
5. Spacing – determine the general spacing between letters,
spacing between words. Width of the left and right margins,
paragraph indentions.

6. Degree of slant – are they uniform or not?

7. Formation and design of letters, “t” – bars, “I” . dots,

loops, circle formation.

8. Initial, connecting and final strokes.

HANDPRINTING

The procedure and the principle involved is similar to that

of cursive handwriting, the different steps in the preparation of
both collected and requested standards should be applied in this
problem which is determination of the author of questioned hand
printed writings.

Specimen must be hand printed and reflect the style of

printing habitually used by the writer. Instructions should be
given to print capitals and small letters. At least the
investigator should obtain about ten sheets of paper containing
the subject handwriting. The materials of course should
approximate the materials used in the questioned hand printed
document.

In block capital and manuscript writings, personal

individual rest principally in design, selection, individual
letter construction, size, ratios and punctuation habits. The
initial step in handwriting examination is to determine whether
the questioned handwriting and standards were accomplished with:

a. a fluency of movement and a certainty of execution

indicative of familiarity with and a measure or skill in
handwriting of conversely.
b. a conscious mental effort and non-rhythmic execution
denoting either unfamiliarity with or disguise in the subjects
handwriting.

Investigation and Detailed Examination of Signatures:

Forgery – A legal term which involves not only a non-genuine

document but also and intent room however, it is used
synonymously with fraudulent signature or spurious document.

Spurious Document – A fraudulent signature in which there was no

papparent attempt at stimulation or limitation. It is a common
form of forgery encountered at stipulation or limitation.

Traced Forgery – Any fraudulent signature which was executed by

actually following the outline of a genuine signature with a
writing instrument.

Simulated or Freehand Imitation Forgery – A fraudulent signature

which was executed purely by simulation rather than by tracing
the outline of a genuine signature.

Anachronism – This something wrong in time and in place. This

means that the forger has trouble matching the paper, ink, or
writing materials to the exact date it was supposed to have been
written.
Guided Signature – A signature which is executed while the
writer’s hand or arm is steadied in any way is classified as a
guided or assisted signature. Under the law of most jurisdictions
such as a signature authenticates a legal document, provided it
show that the writer requested assistance. Guided signatures are
most commonly written during a serious illness or on a deathbed.

Definition of Signature:

A name or a mark that a person puts at the end of a document

to attest that he is its author or that he ratifies its contents.
Many persons who have done a lot of writing transform their name.
Letters become simplified or condensed, complex movement name.
This is now signature. It is mark but this mark is now personal.
It is a personal combination of strokes in which it is possible
to recognize the writer.

Signatures should be considered not just from the point of

view whether there is any difference whatever. The problem is to
form a judgment first about the normal range of variation in the
standard and then to consider whether the questioned signature
has significant similarity and whether any difference you observe
is within the range of normal variation established by the
standards or whether variations shown by several signatures.

Classes of Signature:

a. Formal or Complete – Class of signature used in acknowledging

important document such as will, checks, contract and business
papers.

b. Informal or Cursory (Initial) – A class of signature for

routinely document or made for personal correspondence.

c. Careless Scribble – Used for mail carrier, delivery of goods,

purchase of equipments and an autograph collector.

Examination of Signatures is Considered a Specialized Branch of

Handwriting Identification for the Following Reason:

1. A signature is a word most practiced by many people and

therefore most fluently written.

2. A signature is a means to identify a person and have a great

personal significance.

3. A signature is written with little attention to spelling and

some other details.

4. A signature is a word written without conscious thought about

the mechanics of its production and is written automatically.

5. A signature is the only word the illiterate can write with

confidence.

Suggested Steps in the Examination of Signature:

Signature in documents must be examined exhaustively and

scrutinized in every detail to avoid error in judgment.

The difference between the layman’s observation and those

with special training in questioned documents examination lies on
gross features in the signatures, while the letter makes an
exhaustive study of the minute details.

Step 1 – Place the questioned and the standard signatures in the

juxta-position or side by side for simultaneous viewing of the
various elements and characteristics.

Step 2 – The first element to be considered is the handwriting

movement or the manner of execution (slow, deliberate, rapid,
etc). The fundamental difference existing between a genuine
signature and an almost perfect forgery is in the manner of
execution.

Step 3 – Second elements to examine is the quality of the line,

the presence or tremors, smooth, fluent or hesitation. Defect in
line quality is only appreciated when simultaneous viewing is
made.

Step 4 - Examine the beginning and ending lines, they are very
significant, determine whether the appearance blunt, club-shaped,
tapered or vanishing.

Step 5 – Design and structure of the letters – Determine as to

roundness, smoothness, angularity and direction. Each individual
has a different concept of letter design.

Step 6 – Look for the presence of retouching or patching.

Step 7 – Connecting strokes, slant, ratio, size, lateral spacing.

Step 8 – Do not rely so much in the similarity or difference of

the capital letters, for these are the often changed according to
the notion of the writer.

Indication of Genuineness:

a. Carelessness
b. Spontaneity
c. alteration of thick and thin strokes.
d. Speed
e. Simplification
f. Upright letters are interspersed with slanting letters
g. The upward strokes to a threadlike tracing.
h. Rhythm
i. Good line quality
j. Variation

Three Classes of Forged Signature:

1. Simulated Signature – the free hand drawing in imitation of

model signature.

a. Simulated with the model before the forger – he makes an

effort to obtain a reproduction of the model signature. He works
slowly, stroke after stroke.
a.1. Direct technique – forger works directly with ink.
a.2. Indirect technique – forger work first with special
pencil and afterwards covers the pencil strokes with ink.

b. Simulated free hand forgery – used by forgers who have a

certain skill in writing. After some practice, the forger tries
to write a copy of the model quickly.
2. Traced Signature – a tracing of a genuine signature outline.
a. Direct tracing – copy is made by transmitted light.
b. Indirect tracing – forger used a carbon paper and place
document on which he will trace the forged signatures under the
document bearing the model signature with carbon between the two.

Types of Traced Signatures:

a. Carbon Process – The forger places the document to be

forged on the bottom, inter-leave a piece of carbon and places on
top a document containing the genuine signature. The forger then
traces over the genuine signature with pencil, pen stylus, or
other sharp pointed instrument.

The pressure of this over tracing against the carbon paper

imprints the signature outline in carbon on the top bottom
document. This type could be easily detected by the smattering of
carbon remnants on the forged document.
b. Indention Process - The document containing the model
signature is placed on top of the forged document. The forger
traces with considerable pressure, over the genuine signature
using a pencil, pen stylus, or similar instrument and creates an
indented signature outline on the document being forged. Later
this depression outline is overwritten using pencil or fountain
pen.

c. Transmitted Light Process – The document to be forged is

place on top of the document containing the genuine signature.
The two documents are superimposed over a trace a signature
outline, with pencil or fountain pen following the design of the
genuine set in bold relief by the light in back of it.

3. Simple Forgery – forger does not try to copy a model but

writes with something resembling we ordinarily call a signature.
For this he uses a false name and makes a rapid stroke,
disturbing his usual writing by adopting a camouflage called
disguise.

Indication of Forgery – Simulated and Traced:

1. Tremulous and broken connecting strokes between letters,

indicating points at which the writer has temporarily struck.
2. No rhythm
3. Carefulness or unusual care and deliberation
4. No contrast between upward and downward strokes
5. Slow writing – angular writing
6. Blunt beginning and ending
7. Placement of diacritical marks just over the stem of
letters
8. Absence of spontaneity – lack of smoothness of letters
9. Restrained writing – there is a lack of freedom or
“inhibited’ movements. It gives the impression that every stroke
is made with great difficulty. This writing is small.
10. No variation

WRITING MATERIALS (PAPER) IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

One of the subjects of inquiry in questioned documents is

the writing material used. The common (probable) questioned on
paper is the AGE, whether the actual age of the paper corresponds
with the alleged date of preparation of the questioned document.
 To fully understand the principles of tracing the age of the
writing materials used in questioned documents, it is imperative
for a questioned documents examiner to be aware of the evolution
and development of papers. When such paper was first introduced
or used, physical changes on papers and the importance of water
marks, are some of the valuable things that an investigator
should know to come up with a more conclusive opinion.

Paper – sheet of interlaced fibers usually cellulose fibers from

plants, but sometimes from cloth rags or other fibrous materials.
That is formed by pulping the fibers and causing to felt, or mat,
to form a solid surface.

Writing Materials – the evolution of writing materials culminated

in the development of paper. The oldest written records still
surviving are the Sumerian clay tablets dating back from 4 th
millennium B.C.

Papyrus – came into use about 3,500 B.C., people of Egypt,

Palestine, Syria, and Southern Europe used the pith (soft Spongy
tissue of the stem) of the sedge (grass like herb) CYPERUS
PAPYRUS to make a writing known as PAPYRUS.

Parchment – writing material made from skin of animals primarily

of sheep, calves or goats – was probably developed in the Middle
East more or less contemporaneously with papyrus. It came into
wide use only in the 2nd century B.C. in the city of PERGAMUM,
ANATOLIA.

Vellum – writing materials from fine skins of young calves or

kids and the term vellum was often used for all kind of parchment
manuscripts, it became the most important writing material for
bookmaking, while parchment continued for special manuscripts.

Almost every portable surface that would retain the marks of

brush or pen was also used as a writing material during the early
period.

Development of Paper Manufacturing:

Cailun (Tsai Lun) – it is widely claimed that invention of paper

is generally attributed to a Chinese court official, CAI LUN
(TSAI LUN), in about 105 A.D.
- the first to succeed in making paper from vegetable fibers
– tree barks, rags, old fish nettings.
- the art of paper making was kept secret for 500 years; the
Japanese acquired it only in the 7th century A.D.
- in 751 A.D. the Arab city of Samarkand was attacked by
marauding Chinese and some Chinese taken as prisoners were
skilled in papermaking and were forced by the city Governor to
build and operate a paper mill and Samarkand soon became the
papermaking center of the Arab world.
- knowledge of papermaking traveled westward, spreading
throughout the Middle East, the Moorish invasion of Spain led to
the invention (1150 A.D.) or erection of the first European paper
mill at JATIVA, VALENCIA.
- knowledge of the technology spread quickly and by 16th
century, paper was manufactured throughout most of Europe.

Chlorine – was introduced in 19th century for bleaching and

colored linen could already manufacture for paper.
Esparto – a grass grown in Libya, also in Spain and North Africa
was first introduced in England in 1861.

Straw – was used to make paper in 1800.

Sulphite – paper from wood was not attempted until 1869 and paper
called SULPHITE (modern type) was first used between 1880 and
1890.

Oldest Manuscript – letters dated 874 A.D. have been found in

Egypt and the oldest manuscript in England on cotton paper dated
1890 A.D.

Tracing the Age of Paper (Document):

The age of the document may be estimated from paper. Four

cases were reported by Lucas in which the age of the document was
established from the compositor/composition of the paper.

In one of these cases, a document dated 1798 A.D. was found

to be written in paper composed entirely of chemically prepared
wood cellulose. Considering that this type of paper was not
introduced not until about 60 years later, the document is
obviously a fake one.

Watermarks:

Sometimes a LIMIT may be placed to the age of the document

by means of watermark, the earliest known dating from 1282.
unfortunately, however, not all papers contain watermarks.

The earliest way of identifying the date of manufacture of

the paper is by the WATERMARK – a brand put on the paper by the
manufacturers.
It is impressed into the paper by wires on the rollers
called DANDY ROLL that make the paper, and these designs are
changed from time to time. Usually watermarks are requested by
their owners/manufacturers with the patent office.

If present, watermark is one of the most reliable means of

tracing the age of the paper. However, the questioned documents
examiner’s finding is limited only to the APPROXIMATE DATE (YEAR)
of the paper manufacture.

In determining the age of the paper by watermarks, it is

necessary to ascertain the owner of the watermark in question or
its manufacturer.

In the FBI, this is done by checking the reference file of

the laboratory. Once the manufacturer is determined, then
consideration is given to changes in design and defects of
individual design.

In recent years, some large manufacturers have cleverly

incorporated inconspicuous changes in their watermark design in
order to date their products.

Obviously, document is fraud if it contains a watermark

which was not in existence at the time the document purports to
have been executed.

In Case the Watermark of a Certain Paper Manufacturer did not

Changed, the Following is Applied:
 In those cases where no change in the design has been made
over a long period of time, defects in the individual design may
furnish a clue as to the age of the paper.

The dandy roll through constant usage will somehow be

damaged. This damage is also known as caused by WERA and TEAR
which become progressively more and more as time goes by. The
damage on the dandy roll will leave some peculiar markings on the
watermark of the paper manufactured or all papers that will pass
through the damaged dandy roll.

The investigator carefully determined the distinct markings

caused by the dandy roll’s damaged surface will coordinate with
the paper manufacture regarding when such damage occurred on the
dandy roll used.

Discoloration:

One way of tracing the age of the paper is through the

observance of the changes in its physical characteristics
particularly DISCOLORATION. Naturally, a paper will discolor
after a passage of time due to numerous environmental factors
such as moisture, temperature, dust etc.

Causes of Discoloration:

Discoloration is highly influenced by storage of the papers

or documents and conditions like the following:
1. Due to process of oxidation brought about by natural means
2. Brown spots due to molds that are very characteristics both in
appearance and distribution
3. Exposure to dust and dirt
4. Occasional staining of fruit juice, grease
5. Excrete of rats, mice and other insects
6. May also due to heat, partial burning, etc.
 Wood Pulp – papers out of wood pulp may start to discolor at
edges from 2 to 3 years
 Rug-ship Quality – may be very old before discoloration
starts.

WRITING INSTRUMENT (PEN)

A tool for writing or drawing with a colored fluid, such as

ink. The rise and spread of Christianity increased the demand for
permanent written religious documents. Pen came from the Latin
word “PENNA” meaning feather.

Quill Pens
It is a hollow, horny part of large feather usually from
goose and was used for writing on parchment. Poland, Germany,
Russia, and the Netherlands were the largest producers of quill.

As the size of writing became smaller, both writing tools

and surfaces changed. Vellum or parchment books replaced the
papyrus roll, and the QUILL replaced the REED PEN.

Although quill pens can be made from the outer wing feathers
of any bird, those of goose, swan, crow and later turkey, were
preferred. The earliest reference (6th century A.D.) to quill pens
was made by the Spanish Theologian ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE, and
this tool was the principal writing implement for nearly 1300
years.
 To make a quill pen, a wing feather is first hardened by
heating or letting it dry out gradually. The hardened quill is
then cut to a broad edge with a special pen knife.

The writer had to recut the quill pen frequently to maintain

its edge. By the 18th century, the width of the edge had
diminished and the length of the slit had increased creating a
flexible point that produced thick and thin strokes by pressure
on the point rather than by the angle at which the broad edge was
held.

Also by the 18th century, paper had replaced vellum as the

chief writing surface and more writing was being done for
commerce than for church or crown. During this period, attempts
were made to invent a lasting writing tool that did not require
recutting. Horn, tortoise shell, and gemstones were tried, but
steel was eventually used for permanent pen points.

Although pens of bronze may have been known to Romans, the

earliest mention of “BRAZEN PENS” was in 1465. The 16 th century
Spanish calligrapher JUAN DE YCIAR mentions brass pens for very
large writing in his 1548 writing manual, but the use of metal
pens did not become widespread until the early part of the 19 th
century.

The first patented steel pen point was made by the English
engineer BRYAN DONKIN in 1803. The leading 19 th century English
pen manufacturers were WILLIAM JOSEPH GILLOT, WILLIAM MITCHELL,
and JAMES STEPHEN PERRY.

Use of the quill rapidly declined during that century,

especially after the introduction of the free public education
for children; more emphasis was then placed on the teaching of
writing than on teaching the skill of quill cutting.

In 1884, LEWIS WATERMAN, a New York insurance agent,

patented the first practical FOUNTAIN PEN containing its own ink
reservoir. Waterman invented a mechanism that fed ink to the pen
point by capillary action, allowing ink to flow evenly while
writing.

By the 1920’s the fountain pen was the chief writing

instrument in the west and remained so until the introduction of
the ball point pen after WORLD WAR II.

Reed Pen/ Swamp Pen

It came from especially selected water grasses found in
Egypt, Armenia and along the shores of the Persian Gulf, were
prepared by leaving them under dung heaps for several months.

It was the first writing tool that had, the writing end
slightly worn like a brush. About 2,000 years B.C., this reed pen
was first used in NEAR EAST on papyrus and later on parchment.

The Ball Point Pen

JOHN LOUD, in 1888, patented the first ball point writing
tool. A ball point pen has in its point a small rotating metal
ball that continually inks itself as it turns.

The ball is set into a tiny socket. In the center of the

socket is a hole that feeds ink to the socket from a long tube
(reservoir) inside the pen.
 As early as the 19th century, attempts had been made to
manufacture a pen with a rolling ball tip, but not until 1938 did
Hungarian inventor GEORGE LAZLO BIRO invent a viscous, oil-based
ink that could be used with such a pen.

Early ball point pens did not write well; they tended to
skip, and the slow-drying oil-based ink smudged easily. However,
the ball point pen had several advantages over the fountain pen:
a. The ink was waterproof and almost inerasable;
b. The ball point pen could write on many kinds of surfaces
and could be hold in almost any position for writing; and
c. The pressure required to feed the ink was ideal for
making carbon copies.

Ink formulas were improved for smoother flow and faster

drying, and soon the ball point replaced the fountain pen as the
universal writing tool.

Fiber Tip Pens

In 1963, fiber tip markers were introduced into the U.S.
market and have since challenged the ball point as the principal
writing implement.

The first practical fiber tip pen was invented by YUKIO

HORIE of Japan in 1962. it was ideally suited to the strokes of
Japanese writing, which is traditionally done with a pointed ink
brush.

Unlike its predecessors, the fiber tip pen uses dye as a

writing fluid. As a result, the fiber tip pen can produce a wide
range of colors unavailable in ball point and fountain pen inks.
The tip is made of fine nylon or other synthetic fibers drawn to
a point and fastened to the barrel of the pen. Dye is fed to the
point by elaborate capillary mechanism.

Felt-tip markers are made of dense natural or artificial

fibers impregnated with a dye. These markers can be cut to a
variety of shapes and sizes, some up to an inch in width. A
modification of the ball point pen using a liquid dye fed to a
metal/plastic ball was introduced in the U.S. from Japan in 1973.

The Examination and Identification of Inks:

The examination of inks often plays an important part in

document examination. In this case the inks to be examined are
not available in liquid form. One kind of examination centers on
the question as to whether the ink of some writings or of
alterations in a police blotter is identical with the ink found
in the possession of the suspect.

For this reason, the examination of questioned documents is

restricted to a comparative examination of certain properties of
these inks. However, the examination carries with it certain
difficulties as the quantity of material available for
examination is small and the examination can be done only one.

It is necessary then that before a chemical examination is

attempted, which results in a partial destruction of writing, an
exhaustive examination by non-destructive methods be carried out.

These non-destruction methods include visual examination

with the aid of a binocular microscope as well as photographic
examination. They should be used first before any chemical
examination is resorted to.

It is necessary therefore to be acquainted with the

composition and developmental history, method of manufacture of
the types of ink most commonly used. Sometimes, antedating can
only be proved by identifying a competent of the ink, which was
not yet included in inks at the alleged date of the document.

Composition and Characteristics of Inks:

1. Indian Inks
The oldest form of Indian ink consisted of a suspension of
carbon black (soot or lampblack) in water to which glue or a
vegetable gum was added. Inks of this composition are still on
the market mostly in the shape of sticks or cakes. In modern
carbon ink, the glue or gum is replaced by a solution of shellac
in borax or ammonia. These inks are not affected by oxidants. It
is practically impossible to remove the last traces of the carbon
from the paper without causing damage to it.

2. Log Wood Inks

These inks which were used extensively about a century ago,
have now because obsolete and are no longer manufactured. They
were made from an aqueous extract of logwood chips and potassium
chromate. These inks will be found only on old.

3. Iron Gallotanate Inks

This ink has been used as writing for over a thousand years.
Formerly it was made of a fermented infusion of gall nuts to
which iron salts were added. The ink was composed of suspension
of the black, almost insoluble ferric tannate.

The particles were kept in suspension by adding glue or gum

Arabic. This manufacturing method was not economical and so it
had to be changed. It was observe that if the ink was slightly
acidified with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid, the oxidation
of the ferrous iron was checked and the undesirable precipitation
of the ferric tannate was prevented. The ink thus obtained was
practically colorless and did not acquire the black color desired
before it matured on paper. Coloring matter (Aniline dyes) was
added to the ink as well as a sterilizing agent to prevent growth
of mold and bacteria in the ink.

4. Fountain Pen Inks

These inks are regarded as special fountain pen inks, and
consisting of ordinary iron gallotannate inks with a lower iron
content in most cases but with a higher dyestuff content than
normal inks. This type of ink is placed on the market under the
name of “blue-black permanent”. The iron content range from .7
Fe/I (e.g. Parker Quink Permanent Blue) to 2.7 Fe/ I (e.g.
Pelikan Fullhaltertinte).

5. Dyestuff Inks
These inks are composed of aqueous solutions of synthetic
dyestuffs, to which a preservative and a flux are added. The
writing qualities of the ink are improved by addition of
substances such as glycerol, glucose or dextrin.

The dark blue and black inks are often composed of four or
more dyes because no black dyestuff of sufficient tinctorial
capacity is known.
6. Water Resistant Writing and Drawing Inks
 These inks are special group of dyestuff inks. They consist
of a pigment paste and a solution of shellac made soluble in
water by means of borax, liquid ammonia or ammonium bicarbonate.
Sometimes the pigment suspension is combined with acid or basic
dyestuff.

7. Alkaline Writing Inks

These are quick drying inks which possesses a ph of from 9
to about 11. They penetrate quickly through the size of the paper
allowing the ink to penetrate quickly into the paper. The
dyestuff in these inks consists of acid dyes, sometimes combined
with phthalc cyanide dyes.

These inks are not much in demand because they are rather
expensive and because the material of many fountain pens is
affected by them. The best known of these inks are the Parker
super chrome inks which in the colors black, blue-black, blue,
red and green. Phthalocyanine dye is found in the blue super
chrome inks. The super chrome inks were already obtainable since
1950, which fact maybe of importance for the determination of the
age of a document.

8. Ballpoint Pen Inks

The ballpoint pens did not appear on the European market
before 1945. The development of the present pen was accomplished
during World War II because the army and the Air Force needed a
writing instrument which would not leak at high altitude and
which supplied quick drying water resistant writing.

In principle, the construction of all ballpoint pens is the

same. The differences are in the finish, the precision with which
the instrument is made, the size and the material of the ball,
and the composition of the ink. As a rule, the diameter of the
ball lays between 0.6 and 1.0 mm. the cheapest makes having the
largest diameter. The ball is made of steel while the more
expensive makes of sapphire.

The quality of the pen is chiefly to be judged by the

writing angle. The best writing angle for the ballpoint pen is 90
degrees, but a normal hand of writing seldom uses this angle. The
cheaper makes have a minimum writing angle of 55-60 degrees. If
one writes at too small an angle, the brass socket holding the
ball will scratch a lined into the paper, parallel with the ink
line.

9. Stamp Pad Inks

They are made with the acid of substances such as glycerol,
glycol, acetin or benzyl alcohol and water. Airline dyes are
added as coloring matter. For quick drying stamp pad inks, more
volatile organic solvents are used as acetone, ethanol, etc. As a
vehicle, dextrin, gum Arabic, or tennin is sometimes added.
Through the addition of tannin, the stamp impression becomes
water resistant after drying.

10. Hectograph Inks

These inks very much resemble stamp pad inks and are
exclusively made with basic dyes. To the dyestuff solution
several other substances are added such as glycerol, acetic acid
and acetone.

11. Typewriter Ribbon Inks

These inks are usually composed of a blend of aniline dyes,
carbon black and oil such as olein or castor oil. The two-tone
ribbons however contain no dyes, but pigments suspended in a oil
base. This is necessary because aniline dyes tend to bleed and
would cause the sharp division between the differently colored
halves of the ribbon to merge.

12. Printing Inks

Printing inks often consist of a mixture of colored
pigments, carbon black and a “base” which may consist of oil,
resins, synthetic resins or a mixture of these. It is possible to
remove printing ink from a document by scrubbing the document
with an aqueous solution of a suitable detergent. The rubbing and
breaking up of the surface of the ink and the detergent
facilitates the suspension and eventual removal of the carbon and
other ingredients by the water.

13. Canceling Inks

These inks often contain carbon and this fact should be
burned in mind when it is required to decipher faint cancellation
marks on a postage stamp and wrappers. Carbon is opaque to infra-
red sensitive plate and be relied upon to improve the legibility
of any marking affected by a carbon containing canceling ink.
Erasure of canceling ink on valuable stamps is usually
affected by attack on the medium which bind the carbon to the
surface of the stamp and it is to be regretted that many
canceling inks are manufactured width media which offer
resistance to attack so that the resistant carbon can simply be
swabbed off. This can be usually be detected by infra-red
photography which will reveal the traces of carbon, which almost
invariability remain on the stamp.

14. Skrip Inks

Skrip inks are manufactured by W.A. Chaffer Pen Company
since 1955. The inks contain a substance which is colorless in
visible light and has a strong affinity for the fibers of the
paper, and yet is not bleached by hypoclorite ink eradicators or
washed out by soaking on water.

Thus if a writing with “Skrip” is obliterated with ink

eradicator, the original will produce a characteristics
fluorescence and can be deciphered by reviewing under filtered
ultra-violet. Similarly if writing made with was able skrip is
soaked in water so the invisible dye is washed out, the original
record can be read clearly by filtered ultra-violet light.

The Chemical Examination of Inks:

The chemical examination of ink is indicated in the

following problems:
1. The chromatographic examination and separation of the dyestuff
in the ink.
2. The determination of the age of the ink.

TYPEWRITER/TYPEWRITING EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION

Typewriter Defined:

A machine that can reproduce printed characters on papers or

that can produce printed letters and figures on paper.

Evolution of Typewriters:

Several typewriters like machines were develop during the

latter part of the 17th century. The first patent, however, was
granted by QUEEN ANNE of England to HENRY MILL in 1714 for a
machine designed to reproduce a letter of the alphabet.

Within the next 100 years, however, at least 50 attempts

were made by various inventors to develop a typing machine. In
1829, WILLIAM AUSTIN BURT of Detroit, invented the TYPOGRAPHER.

The development of the first practical typewriter begun in

1866 by CHRISTOPHER LATHAM SHOLES and was patented in 1868. He
developed the first practical typewriter in cooperation with two
fellow mechanics, CARLOS GLIDEN and SAMUEL SOULE.

Six years later, Christopher Latham Sholes entered an

agreement with ELIPHALET REMINGTON and SONS, GUNSMITH and SEWING
MACHINES MANUFACTURERS, the company produced the REMINGTON MODEL
I.
Four years later, REMINGTON MODEL II was introduced having
both the lower and upper case of the alphabet. MARK TWAIN was
among the first to buy a typewriter and the first to submit a
typewritten manuscript to a publisher.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW recognized the importance of typewriter

when he became the first writer to use it as a stage prop in
Canada in 1897. When THOMAS EDISON visited Sholes to see his
machine, he forecasted that typewriters would one day be operated
by electricity.
Soon afterwards, Edison built such typewriter. He used a
series of magnet, which made the machine large and too expensive
to be marketed.

The first practical typewriter was invented in 1914 by JAMES

F. SMATHERS of Kansas City. In 1933, the International Business
Machines Inc. (IBM), introduced the first commercially successful
electric typewriter to the business world.

The latest development in electric typewriter is one which

not only eliminates type bars and movable carriages but can use
six interchangeable type of typefaces.

The first basic change in typewriting operation appeared in

1961. Despite of the revolutionary advances in typewriting
capabilities, one essential element has remained unchanged since
the first Remington. The keyboard arrangement, nicknamed QWERTY
for the top line of letters was designed to make it easier for
salesmen to use the machine.

A much more efficient arrangement was devised in 1936 by

AUGUST DVORAK. The process of changing over the DVORAK seemed so
difficult that it was never even begun.

Identification and Examination of Typewritten Questioned

Documents:

The earliest comment in writing by a document examiner on

typewriting identification was made by HAGAN in 1894. He wrote
that all typewriter machines even when using the same kind of
type become more or less peculiar by use as to the work done by
them. These peculiarities positively connect them with the
printing done by the machine.

This exposition of the principles of typewriting

identification was followed in 1900 by AMES who wrote that the
identity of writing by different operators as well as that done
on different machines can be done with considerable degree of
certainty.

Different operators have their own peculiar methods which

differ widely in the location of date, address, margins,
punctuation, spacing, signing as well as impressions from touch.

In several articles written between 1901 to 1907, ALBERT S.

OSBORNE, the foremost document examiner of the early 20 th century,
define the principles of typewriting identification used today.
He called it THE LANDMARKS IN TYPEWRITING IDENTIFICATION.

Typewriting Identification:

The typewriter has become an instrument of world wide

importance in the correspondence and commerce of the world and
therefore could be an effective screen for commuting crime.

In several articles written between 1901 and 1907, Albert S.

Osborne, the foremost document examiner of the early 20 th century,
defined the principles points enunciated by Osborne are as
follows:

a. The typefaces used by the different typewriter

manufacturer can be differentiated on the basis of design and
have dating significance.
b. Through usage, typewriters develop individuality which
can serve to identify the typewriting of a particular typewriter.
c. The gradual development of typewriting individuality plus
ribbon condition and typeface. Cleanliness can be used to date a
document of fix it written a period of time.
d. Horizontal and vertical alignment, tilting characters,
lack of uniformity of impression (off-footedness), typeface
score, breads, defects and deformities all serve to identify the
typewriting of a particular machine.
e. Peculiar habits of striking the typewriter keys,
spacing,arrangement,punctuation, mistakes, corrections, can be
used to identify a typist or differentiate typists.
f. A sheet of paper cannot be reinserted in a typewriter in
exact register with previous typing done on the sheet of paper.

Classification of Typewriters as to Typeface:

a. Pica Type – the typefaces are spaced ten characters to the

horizontal inch.
b. Elite Type – the typefaces are spaced twelve characters to the
horizontal.

Identification of Typewriter by the Defects of the Stroke:

The identification of a typewriter consist first of the

preliminary examination of the questioned document in which the
general characteristics such as the style, the dimension of the
characters, the spacing and the design of the letters. This
important phase of work enables document examiner to eliminate
numerous suspect typewriters keeping only those of the same make
and model as that of the suspected typewriters provided however
they are equipped with the same characters.
The defects of the typewriter maybe compared to ailment or
sickness and congenital deformation while its translation on the
paper be compared to symptoms of the defects. This comparison has
the advantage of sorting out the exact conditions of the control
of questioned typewritten documents as follows:
 a. First, it will show the actual state of the typewriter
and consequently that the aspect of the stroke is not immutable
but evolves progressively so that a good identification needs the
comparison of documents from sufficiently adjacent period.
b. It show that the expert do not see the defect of the
typewriter right away but only its translation on the paper by a
writing anomaly of which he must appreciate the cause. Like in
medicine, a given symptom maybe common to several ailments and
inversely the same ailments maybe accompanied at certain
movements by different symptoms.
c. Lastly, it will explain that certain anomalies are not
even ascribable to an organic cause of the typewriter but to a
phenomenon outside it. For example, an error of manipulation by
the typist may give some anomalies of the stroke and have no
connection with the mechanism of the typewriter itself. Others
are due to a temporary sickness such as a torn ribbon which will
give an incomplete impression of the character or dust which may
choke the mechanism of the stroke. It is only the permanent
faults which permit of a positive identification.

Terminologies in Typewriting Examinations:

Alignment Defect – Include character which writes improperly in

the following respects: a twisted letter, horizontal mal-
alignment, vertical mal-alignment and a character special
adjustment to the type block.

Carbon Impression – Any typewriting which is placed on the paper

by action of the typefaces striking through carbon paper is
classed as a carbon impression. Generally, carbon impression is
“Carbon Copies” but sometimes original typewritings are made
directly through a carbon paper copy.

Character - In connection with typewriting identification the

terms “Character” is used to include either letters, symbols,
numerals or point of punctuation.

Clogged (Dirty) Typefaces – With use the typefaces becomes filled

with lint, dirty and ink, particularly in enclosed letters such
as the o, e, p, and g. In this condition is allowed to progress
without cleaning, there comes a time when the written impression
actually print with the clogged areas shaded on a solid block.

Defects – The term defect describes any abnormality or mal-

adjustment in a typewriter which is reflected in its works and
which leads to its individualization or identification.

Horizontal Mal-adjustment – An alignment defect in which the

character prints to the right or left of its proper position.

Mal-alignment – Is synonymous with the term “Alignment Defects”.

Off its Feet – The condition of a typeface printing heavier on

one side or corner than over the remainder of its outline.

Permanent Defect – Any identifying characteristics of a

typewriter which cannot be corrected by simply cleaning the
typeface or replacing the ribbon is classed permanent defect.
Actually, this term is not absolutely accurate since all defects
in typewriters undergo modification and change in time.

Platen – The cylinder which serve as the backing of the paper and
which absorbs the blow from the typeface.
Proportional Spacing Typewriting – A modern form of typewriting
which resembles printing in that all of the horizontal space as
they do with the conventional typewriter, for example, the “i”
occupies two units, the “o” three and “m” five. A typewriter of
this design is known as a proportional spacing machine.

Rebound – A defect in which a character prints a double

impression with the lighter one slightly offset to the right or
left.
Ribbon Condition – Typewriter ribbons gradually deteriorate with
use and the degree of determination is a measure of the ribbon
condition.

Ribbon Impression – Typewriting which is made directly through a

cloth ribbon.

Transitory Defects – An identifying typewriter characteristic

which can be eliminated by cleaning.

Typeface – The printing surface of the type block is known as the

typeface, with most modern typewriter this block is attached at
the end of a movable arm or type bar which propels the typeface
against the ribbon and paper to make the typewriter impression.

Typeface Defects – Any peculiarity of typewriting caused by

actual damage to the typeface metal. These defects maybe actual
breaks in the outline of the letter where the metal has been
chipped away sometimes referred to as broken type, or they may be
distorted outlines of the letter where the typeface metal has
become bent or smashed, they can only be corrected by replacing
the type block.

Twisted Letter – Each letter and character is designed to print a

certain fixed angle to the baseline, due to wear, and damage to
the type bars and the type block, some letters become twisted so
that they lean to the right or left of their correct slant.

Vertical Mal-alignment – A character printing above or below its

proper position has the quality of vertical mal-alignment.

Identification of Typewritten Documents:

As a preliminary step in the identification of typewriting,

it is necessary to establish that the style and size of the
letters and numerals are the same and that both the letter
spacing and the line spacing are the same.
In order to make a further study leading either towards an
identification or non-identification such instrument as
magnifying lenses, microscopes and various kinds of measuring
devices are used. These instruments make it possible to study the
following:
a. Slant – A study is made of each character to determine to
what extent if any, it leans either to the right or to the left.
b. Alignment – If a typewriter is in proper alignment each
character should strike in the center of an imaginary rectangle.
c. Footing – A letter may strike heavier either on the
right, on the left, on the top, or on the bottom.
d. Defects in the Typefaces – These may be brought about
either through mistreatment or as a result of ordinary wear and
tear.
When Questioned Typewriting is Compared With Known Typewritten
Exemplars, 3 General Areas of Examination are Made:

1. Size and spacing (vertical and horizontal)

2. Type style
3. Unique identifying characteristics – character and
alignment defects

Nine Points That Maybe Involve in Questioned Typewriting:

1. That of ascertaining the exact date of such typewriting.

2. Whether every line of the document was written at one time.
3. Whether the various lines of the document were written at
different time by the same machine.
4. Whether the document was written at different times by several
machine.
5. Whether spurious, typewritten pages have been substituted or
inserted in the document.
6. Whether interlineations have been added to the original
document.
7. Whether additional words of sentences have been written at the
end of the paragraph.
8. Whether the entire document was written by one machine.
9. Whether the document was written by a particular suspected
typewriter.

Principal Typewriting Question That Maybe resolved in Typewriting

Examination:

1. To determine whether an evidence typewriting was accomplished

on a suspected typewriter.
2. To determine whether an evidential typewriting prepared as a
known typewriter was actually typewritten on its purported date.
3. To determine whether all of typewriting was prepared by a
suspected typist.
4. To determine the make or brand of the typewriter on which a
questioned typewriting was prepared.
 ARAULLO UNIVERSITY
Phinma Education Network
CABANATUAN CITY

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

REVIEW QUESTIONAIRES IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

Prepared By: Randy M. Maure

INSTRUCTIONS: Select the best answer for each of the following

questions.

1. Is concerned with the examination of forged, altered or

suspected papers to see if they are genuine or if they have been
changed.
a. Documents falsification
b. Estafa
c. Forgery
d. Questioned documents examination

2. Defined as a visible effect of bodily movement which is an

almost unconscious expression of fixed muscular muscles.
a. Speed of writing
b. Handwriting
c. Natural writing
d. Writing habits

3. A document completely written and signed by one person is

known as:
a. Holographic document
b. Disputed document
c. Questioned document
d. None of the above

4. It is the deterioration in writing caused by excessive

consumption of alcohol.
a. Intoxicated writing
b. Receipt writing
c. Careless writing
d. Illiterate writing

5. It includes characters which write improperly in the following

aspects: a twisted letter, horizontal mal-alignment, vertical
mal-alignment and a character “off-its feet”.
a. Carbon impression
b. Clogged typeface
c. Character
d. Alignment defect

6. In writing, it functions as an extension of the hand.

a. Paper
b. Shoulder
c. Pen
 d. Elbow

7. Any typewriting which is placed on the paper by action of the

typefaces striking through carbon paper is classed as:
a. Character
b. Carbon impression
c. Clogged typeface
d. Defects

8. Writings produced by the subject after evidential writings

have come into dispute.
a. Collected
b. Post liten motan
c. Request
d. None of the above

9. A traced forgery of signature is not really writing but:

a. Retouching
b. Drawing
c. Patching
d. Tremor of fraud

10. A group of muscles which push up the pen to form the upward
strokes.
a. Flaxen
b. Flexor
c. Extensor
d. Strokes

11. Who first invented the paper more than 2000 years ago?
a. Indians
b. Babylonians
c. Americans
d. Chinese

12. Handwriting written by an individual upon request for the

purpose of comparison with other handwriting.
a. Collected
b. Procured
c. Request
d. Post liten motan

13. In connection with typewriting identification, it includes

letters, symbols, numerals, or point of punctuation.
a. Defects
b. Horizontal mal-alignment
c. Character
d. Clogged typeface

14. It is mostly employed in vertical writing and mainly in the

formation of printed styles of writing.
a. Whole forearm movement
b. Hand movement
c. Forearm movement
d. Finger movement

15. Term describe as: the typefaces become filled with lint,
dirt, and ink particularly in enclosed letters such as the o, e,
p, g, and others.
a. Clogged typeface
b. Horizontal mal-alignment
c. Defects
d. Mal-alignment
16. Handwriting of individual written in the course of daily
life, both business and social.
a. Collected
b. Procured
c. Request
d. Letter a and b

17. Refers to the proportion of the strokes to each other in

width as affected shading.
a. Pen pressure
b. Pen writing
c. Pen lifting
d. Pen strokes

18. Writing movement employed by those with whom writing is an

unfamiliar process, it is otherwise called as “push and pull
writing”.
a. Finger
b. Forearm
c. Hand
d. Whole forearm

19. Forged signature made by free hand movement and constant

practiced is called:
a. Traced forgery
b. Simulated forgery
c. Simple forgery
d. Spurious signature

20. They are known writing which indicates how a person writes.
a. Standard
b. Exemplars
c. Natural writing
d. Letter a and b

21. This term describes any abnormality or maladjustment in a

typewriter which is reflected in its work and which leads to its
individualization or identification.
a. Horizontal mal-alignment
b. Off-its feet
c. Mal-alignment
d. Defects

22. It involves the action of hand as a whole with the fingers

playing but a minor role.
a. Finger movement
b. Forearm movement
c. Hand movement
d. Whole forearm movement

23. A term synonymous with the term alignment defects.

a. Malnourished
b. Defects
c. Mal-alignment
d. Alignment

24. The special way in which the various muscles used in writing
work together to produced written forms.
a. Rhythm
b. Motor coordination
c. Handwriting
d. Arcade
25. What was done, when one retouches or goes back over a
defective portion of a writing stroke?
a. Retracing
b. Patching
c. Pressuring
d. Shading

26. The flexor and extensor muscles when combined with numerical
muscles it forms what?
a. Lateral strokes
b. Diagonal strokes
c. Vertical strokes
d. Horizontal strokes

27. The condition of a typeface printing heavier on one side or

corner than over the remainder of its outline.
a. Off-its feet
b. Platen
c. Permanent defect
d. Proportional spacing

28. Writing is produced by the movement of the hand and arm and
also fingers in some cases.
a. Whole forearm movement
b. Hand movement
c. Forearm movement
d. Finger movement

29. What type of forgery is made when the writer’s exerts no

effort to effect resemblance or facsimile between the forged and
the genuine signatures?
a. Simple
b. Simulated
c. Traced
d. Spurious

30. Types of connections characterized by rounded stroke shaped

like an arch.
a. Angular
b. Threadlike
c. Garland
d. Arcade

31. Is any written statement by which a right is established or

an obligation extinguished; it is a deed, instrument or other
duly authorized paper by which something is proved or set forth?
a. Document
b. Tablet
c. Rubric
d. Contact

32. Is a succession of connected, uniform strokes working in full

coordination?
a. Rhythm
b. Writing
c. Strokes
d. Finger movement

33. Refers to the slope of the handwriting in relation to the

base line.
a. Spacing
b. Slant
 c. Skills
d. Strokes

34. Types of connections characterized by links downward strokes

to the upstrokes with a flowing curve swinging from left to
right.
a. Angular
b. Threadlike
c. Garland
d. Arcade

35. Any identifying characteristics of a typewriter which cannot

be corrected by simply cleaning the typeface or replacing the
ribbon.
a. Mal-alignment
b. Temporary defects
c. Defects
d. Permanent defects

36. It involves the actions of the entire arm without rest and is
employed in very large writing.
a. Finger movement
b. Forearm movement
c. Hand movement
d. Whole forearm movement

37. The cylinder which serves as the backing of the paper and
which absorbs the blow from the typeface is known as:
a. Pletesmograph
b. Roller
c. Cylinder cone
d. Platen

38. Kind of writing characterized by disconnected style.

a. Cursive
b. Block
c. Script
d. Capitalized

39. What is that interruption in a stroke, caused by sudden

removal of the writing instrument from the paper surface?
a. Tremor
b. Retouching
c. Pen lifting
d. Hiatus

40. Children learn writing by following the school copy model.

This statement is.
a. True
b. Partially true
c. False
d. Partially false

41. A kind of document which is executed by a private person

without the intervention of a notary public, or of competent
public official, by which some disposition or agreement is
proved, evidence or set forth.
a. Private document
b. Public document
c. Official document
d. Commercial document
42. Qualities of strokes characterized by movement is extended or
limited in its range.
a. Pressure
b. Expansion
c. Speed
d. Coordination

43. Any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is

written separately is a form of:
a. Cursive
b. Writing
c. Drawing
d. Hand lettering

44. The path which is traced by the pen on the paper.

a. Rhythm
b. Direction
c. Strokes
d. Coordination

45. What is that introductory up and down stroke found in almost

all capital letters?
a. Hitch
b. Beard
c. Humps
d. Buckle knot

46. Writing movement characterized by poor quality of writing

with lack of rhythm and speed.
a. Finger
b. Forearm
c. Hand
d. Rhythm

47. A kind of document in which public officials participated.

a. Public document
b. Official document
c. Private document
d. Commercial document

48. A group of muscles which push the pen to from the downward
strokes.
a. Extensor
b. Flexor
c. Flaxen
d. Rhythm

49. A kind of document which is executed by person in authority

by private parties but not notarized by notaries public or by
competent officials.
a. Public document
b. Official document
c. Private document
d. Commercial document

50. May be committed in two ways: 1.) by giving to a treasury or

bank notes or any instrument payable to bearer or two order, and
the appearance of a genuine document; and 2.) by erasing,
substituting, counterfeiting, or altering by any means, the
figures, letters, words, or signs contained therein.
a. Falsifications of documents
b. Questioned documents examination
c. Forgery
 d. Estafa

51. A defect in which a character prints a double impression with

the lighter one slightly offset to the right or left.
a. Rebound
b. Typeface
c. Bounding
d. Breechface

52. Philippine paper bills are printed in what process.

a. Intaglio process
b. Off-set process
c. Lithographic process
d. All of the above

53. Strokes which goes back over another writing strokes and
which is slightly to occur due to lack of movement control?
a. Retouching
b. Retracing
c. Shading
d. Patching

54. May be committed in the following means: 1.) counterfeiting

or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric; 2.) causing it
to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding
when they did not in fact so participated; 3.) etc… nevertheless
it applies to documents whether private, public, official or
commercial documents.
a. Falsifications of documents
b. Questioned documents examination
c. Forgery
d. Estafa

55. A kind of document which is recognized by the Code of

Commerce and other Mercantile Laws.
a. Private document
b. Commercial document
c. Public document
d. Official document

56. In addition to its use in developing secret writings, iodine

fumes can be used to.
a. Determine if erasures have been made on a document
b. Determine the kind of papers used in writing
c. Determine the kind of ink used in writing
d. Determine the personal character of the author

57. Writing in which letters is open or the most part is joined

together?
a. Cursive
b. Signature
c. Disguised
d. Hand lettering

58. Stroke where the motion of the pen precedes the beginning and
continues beyond the end to a vanishing point and are found on
free natural writing and as a rule are important indication of
genuineness.
a. Ending stroke
b. Flying starts and finish
c. Terminal stroke
d. Pen movement
59. What is that which widens the ink strokes due to the added
pressure on a flexible pen point?
a. Pen pressure
b. Shading
c. Pen lifting
d. Retouching

60. Of the following the most reliable single criterion in

judging the authenticity of paper money is the…..
a. Arrangement of the red and blue threads
b. Wet strength of the paper
c. Quality of the engraving
d. Color of the seal

61. Is an exemplar that has been obtained from an official

record, personal letter, or any other document that is known to
have been written by the suspect, when the suspect refuses to
write an exemplar, when the suspect is not available, or when the
investigation is conducted without the knowledge of the suspect?
a. Collected standard document
b. Questioned document
c. Simulated document
d. All of the foregoing

62. A sign of forgery in guided hand signature is:

a. Good pen control
b. Disconnected stroke
c. Uneven alignment
d. Slanting strokes

63. Typewriting which is made directly through a cloth ribbon is

called as the:
a. Character
b. Typeface
c. Rebound
d. Ribbon impression

64. In connection with the analysis of questioned documents,

which of the following is least likely to be successful?
a. Establishment of the age of ink
b. Determination of make and age of typewriter
c. Restitution of the erased or eradicated writing
d. Identifying the peculiarity of an individual

65. It is an instrument that can be legally used in comparisons

with a questioned document; its origin is known and can be
proven.
a. Simulated document
b. Standard document
c. Forged document
d. Falsified document

66. Paper which has been treated in such a way as to minimize the
change of a successful forgery by erasure, whether mechanical or
chemical, being carried out on any document of which it forms the
basis called:
a. Chemical paper
b. Safety paper
c. Tested paper
d. Polyethylene coated paper

67. The printing surface of the type block is known as:

a. Type line
 b. Typeface
c. Ribbon
d. Type block

68. What system of handwriting classification based on the

following factors: forms, skill combination, shading movement,
slant, terminals and embellishment; has proved useful to police
departments in large cities…..
a. Sir Edward Richard Henry
b. Lee and Abbey
c. Rolando Wilson
d. Landsteiner and Levine

69. Those are symbols added to complete certain letters such as

“i” and “t”.
a. Spur marks
b. Loop marks
c. Diacritical marks
d. Hiatus marks

70. Handwriting samples of the same writer may vary somewhat

according to the conditions under which the wring was done. In
which of the following classes of writers are such variations in
genuine writing likely to occur?
a. Men writers
b. Women writers
c. Practiced writer
d. Semi-illiterate or unpracticed writer

71. This group of document includes those papers which the entire
writing is in question as spurious, forged or counterfeit in its
entirely fall into.
a. Wills and testaments
b. Questioned documents
c. Stroke of writing
d. None of the foregoing

72. A modern pen nib which contains a reservoir of ink in a

specially designed back or chamber is described as:
a. Ball point pen
b. Fountain pen
c. Pencil
d. Fiber pen

73. Any peculiarity of typewriting caused by actual damage to the

typeface metal block is known as:
a. Temporary defects
b. Permanent defects
c. Typeface defects
d. Ribbon defects

74. In which of the following respects is forged handwriting most

likely to differ from the genuine writing which the forgery
attempts to imitate?
a. Over all flow or running quality
b. Average height and breadth of letters
c. Starting finishing tails or extraneous flourishes
d. Width of pen or pencil lines

75. It is the failure to complete the junction between two

letters without lifting the pen.
a. Spur
b. Hiatus
 c. Humps
d. Loops

76. What is that indelible ink whose marking substance is

composed of mixture of aniline ink and graphite?
a. Stencil
b. Printer’s ink
c. Nut gall ink
d. Copy pencil
77. May be accomplished by the insertion of a word, phrase, or
sentence between two lines of the original writing.
a. Forgery
b. Intercalation
c. Substitution
d. Insertion

78. One of the unconscious and inconspicuous writing habits of an

individual and are often entirely disregarded in simulated
writing.
a. Pen pressure
b. Pen lifting
c. Pen writing
d. Pen strokes

79. Is a specimen of writing prepared with deliberate intent of

altering the usual writing habits in the hope of hiding his
identity?
a. Disguised writing
b. Natural writing
c. Guided writing
d. Assisted writing

80. A condition of coin when it is made of metal, whether or

inferior or superior intrinsic value to that of the genuine coin
and is given the appearance of one legal tender….
a. Mutilated coin
b. Priceless coin
c. False or counterfeit coin
d. All of the foregoing

81. What is a specimen of writing in which the letter are

disconnected in form?
a. Cursive
b. Manuscript
c. Hand lettering
d. Block capital

82. It is the act of diminishing by ingenious means the metal in

the coin; to take advantage if the metal abstracted; he
appropriates a part of the metal of the coin, hence the coin
diminishes in intrinsic value.
a. Mutilation of coins
b. Priceless coins
c. Counterfeit or false coins
d. None of the foregoing

83. Refers to properties or marks, elements or qualities which

serve to distinguish known as the basis of identification.
a. Characteristics
b. Individual characteristics
c. Class characteristics
d. Sample
84. In order to sustain a charge for an offense under Article 168
of the Revised Penal Code, the possession of the false treasury
and blank notes must be coupled with……
a. The intention to keep it at home
b. The intent to use the same
c. Intent to surrender the same to proper authorities
d. All of the foregoing

85. Is an irregularity in strokes characterized by shaky or

wavering stroke which is perfectly apparent even without
magnification?
a. Genuine tremor
b. Tremor of illiteracy
c. Tremor
d. Tremor of fraud

86. A type of forgery which involves fraudulent signature

executed by actually following the outline of a genuine signature
with a writing instrument?
a. Carbon outline process
b. Indention process
c. Lasered
d. Traced

87. Refers to the study of one’s handwriting in attempting to

determine one’s personality.
a. Agraphica
b. Graphology
c. Chromatography
d. Handwriting identification

88. A classification of falsification that for the act to be

punished, it must be shown that some prejudice or damage to a
third party must have been caused or intended to be caused…..
a. Falsification of private document
b. Falsification of official document
c. Falsification of public document
d. Falsification of commercial document

89. Refers to the usual or normal deviation found in a repeated

specimen of individual’s handwriting.
a. Natural variation
b. Transitory change
c. Permanent damage
d. Temporary defect

90. An autopsy report is an example of what kind of evidence?

a. Documentary
b. Testimonial
c. Experimental
d. Object/real

91. A type of conventional typewriter in which the characters are

normally space 12 in one horizontal inch.
a. Pica
b. Elite
c. Proportional spacing machine
d. Computer

92. A classification of falsification in which damage is

immaterial, for what is important is violation of public faith,
and the destruction of the truth, and the change must affect the
integrity of the document…..
 a. Falsification of commercial document
b. Falsification of official document
c. Falsification of public document
d. Falsification of private document

93. Is a typeface defects in which the letters are printed to the

right or left of its proper position.
a. Vertical maladjustment
b. Horizontal maladjustment
c. Twisted letter
d. Off-its feet

94. A modern form of typewriting which resembles printing in that

all of the letters, numerals and symbols do not occupy the same
horizontal space as they do with the conventional typewriter.
a. Conventional typewriting
b. Proportional spacing typewriting
c. Typewriting identification
d. Document typewriting

95. Known as the father of questioned document.

a. Albert S. Osborn
b. John Augustus
c. Dr. Hans Gross
d. Orway Hilton

96. What is the first step in the procurement of typewriting

exemplars?
a. Procurement of the suspected typewriter
b. Acquisition of typewriting exemplars
c. Study of the questioned typewriting
d. Preparation of exemplars

97. Specimen of writing was executed in the regular course of

once activities.
a. Requested
b. Collected
c. Executed at one time
d. Day to day standard

98. As a rule, it is easier to determine whether or not a

signature is forgery, but it is very difficult on the other hand
to establish who committed the forgery because:
a. The forger might be left handed
b. Imitation is one of the most effective means to disguise
one’s handwriting
c. It might be traced forgery
d. There could be no sufficient standard available

99. Is the type of writing movement that gives a great freedom of

movement and considered as the most skillful type of movement.
a. Finger movement
b. Hand movement
c. Forearm movement
d. Whole arm movement

100. When document examiners as well as police are dealing with

documents, the most common problem they encountered are those
concerning:
a. Origin
b. Counterfeit
c. Authorship
d. Content (alteration)
101. The art of determining character disposition of a person
from the study of writing.
a. Graphoanalysis
b. Graphometry
c. Graphology
d. None of these

102. This group includes all papers on which it is alleged that

some changes have been made fraudulently by erasure, addition, or
substituting, or substitution, etc.
a. Handwriting specimen
b. Countersigned
c. Document on which the signature is questioned
d. Document containing alleged fraudulent alteration

103. Represents the reach of the hand with the wrist at rest.
a. Pen position
b. Pen emphasis
c. Pen pressure
d. Pen scope

104. Are meant to those grace lines, superfluous strokes and are
useful only for ornamentation are not essential to the legibility
of the signatures and usually occurs among writers who attempt to
express some phase of their personalities.
a. Diacritical marks
b. Embellishments
c. Idiosyncrasies
d. Flourishing strokes

105. The extra deposit of ink in the initial and terminal strokes
due to the slow withdrawal of the pen from the paper.
a. Hump
b. Hook
c. Knob
d. Foot

106. Is one of the most expensive instruments used for

examination of documents that would show three dimensional
enlargements?
a. Polarizing light
b. Infra-red gadget
c. Stereoscopic microscope
d. Ultra-violet light

107. The main portion of the letter minus the initial end stroke.
a. Body
b. Beaded
c. Blunt
d. Beard

108. Fraudulent tampering with a document often involves two

kinds of erasures, namely;
a. Mechanical and chemical erasures
b. Electronic and chemical erasures
c. Electronic and Mechanical erasures
d. All of the foregoing

109. It is a minute curve on an ankle which often occurs at the

end of the terminal strokes.
a. Hump
b. Hook
 c. Hiatus
d. Foot

110. The process of making out what is eligible or what has been
effaced.
a. Decipherment
b. Cipherment
c. Decipher
d. Cipher

111. The average force with which the pen contacts the paper
maybe estimated from the examination of the writing.
a. Pen scope
b. Pen emphasis
c. Pen position
d. Pen pressure

112. Is the combination of the basic designs of letter and the

writing movements involved in the writing?
a. Copy book form
b. System of writing
c. Writing movement
d. Line quality

113. The angle or inclination of the axis of the letters relative

to the baseline
a. Slope
b. Slant
c. Strokes
d. Both a and b

114. A kind of erasure through the use of a rubber eraser, sharp

knife, razor blade or picking instrument.
a. Chemical erasure
b. Electronic erasure
c. Mechanical erasure
d. All of the foregoing

115. The elements of writing movement which is marked by regular

or periodic recurrences.
a. Retracing
b. Rhythm
c. Retouching
d. Alignment

116. Is one which contains some change either as an addition or

deletion?
a. Traced
b. Forged
c. Genuine
d. Altered document

117. The act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper
surface with increase pressure.
a. Pen pressure
b. Pen scope
c. Pen Emphasis
d. Pen position

118. What is that type of signature which has been made in a

particular date, time, place, and at a particular purpose of
recording it?
a. Model signature
 b. Standard signature
c. Evidential signature
d. Guided signature

119. The critical composition on side by side examination.

a. Composition
b. Collation
c. Examination
d. Collection

120. A kind of erasure by using ink eradicator or blending agent.

a. Chemical erasure
b. Electronic erasure
c. Mechanical erasure
d. None of the foregoing

121. Any repeated elements of details of writing, which may serve

to individualize it.
a. Hesitation
b. Hiatus
c. Habits
d. Hook

122. Is outer portion of a curve bend or crook?

a. Humps
b. Staff/stem/shank
c. Whirl
d. Central part

123. Going back over a defective portion of a written stroke

a. Pen Scope
b. Retrace
c. Retracing
d. Patching

124. Is a light examination in which a source of illumination

strikes the surface of the paper from the back or at the bottom,
usually designed in identification of water markings?
a. Direct light
b. Oblique light
c. Side light
d. Transmitted light

125. An interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing

instrument from the paper
a. Pen jump
b. Pen lift
c. Pen scope
d. Pen position

126. An eligible form of a writing which is characterized by

partially visible depression appearing underneath the original
writing.
a. Invisible writing
b. Obliterated writing
c. Indented writing
d. Contact writing

127. The relations of parts of the whole of writing or line of

individual letters in words to the baseline
a. Alignment
b. Tick
c. Baseline
 d. Characteristics

128. Is the visible record of the written strokes resulting from

a combination of various factors associated to the motion of the
pen? Is the overall quality of the strokes?
a. Movement
b. Writing habits
c. Line habits
d. Significant writing habits

129. The study of handwriting based on the two fundamental

strokes, the curve and the straight.
a. Graphology
b. Graphoanalysis
c. Graphometry
d. None of the these

130. What is that substance which is capable of bleaching an ink?

a. Sympathetic ink
a. Ink eradicator
c. Superimposing ink
d. Invisible ink

131. One in which the facts appearing therein are not true, and
are contested either in whole or in part with respect to its
authenticity.
a. Questioned Documents
b. Holographic Writing
c. Document
d. Notarial Will

132. Is the type of light examination best used in deciphering an

obliterated writing and charred document?
a. Ultra-violet light
b. Transmitted light
c. Infra-red light
d. X-ray

133. Any material containing marks, symbols or signs either

visible partially visible that may present a meaning to someone.
a. Questioned Documents
b. Holographic
c. Document
d. Notarial

134. Is the type of writing movement that gives a great freedom

of movement. Also considered as the most skillful type of
movement.
a. Finger movement
b. Forearm movement
c. Hand movement
d. Whole arm movement

135. Any instrument notarized by a notary public or competent

official with solemnities required by law.
a. Public
b. Private
c. Official
d. Commercial

136. Is a type of abnormality/defects in typewriter that can

easily be corrected by simply cleaning the machine or replacing
the ribbon?
 a. Temporary defects
b. Clogged typeface
c. Permanent defects
d. Actual breakage

137. Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimen which

adequate and proper.
a. Document
b. Holographic
c. Notarial
d. Standard Document

138. A coin is said to be, when it is made of metal, whether

inferior or superior intrinsic value so that of the genuine coin,
and is given the appearance of one legal tender.
a. False or counterfeit coin
b. Mutilation of coin
c. Forged
d. Falsified

139. Any writing executed normally without any attempt to control

or alter it identifying habits.
a. Writing
b. Disguised writing
c. Handwriting
d. Natural writing

140. It is the act of diminishing, by ingenious means, the metal

in the coin.
a. False or counterfeit coin
b. Mutilation of coin
c. Forgery
d. Falsification

141. The path traced by the pen on the paper

a. Stroke
b. Prints
c. Slant
d. Beard

142. This is committed whenever the offender makes or imitates a

treasury or bank notes or certificates, of giving it the
appearance of one that is genuine.
a. Falsification of document
b. Forgery
c. Intercalation
d. Rubric

143. The rudimentary initial upstroke of a letter.

a. Beaded
b. Blunt
c. Beard
d. Body

144. This crime is committed by counterfeiting or imitating any

handwriting, signature or rubric; causing it to appear that
persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did
not in fact so participate; etc.
a. Falsification of document
b. Forgery
c. Intercalation
d. Copying
145. It is the visible effect of bodily movement which is an
almost subconscious expression of fixed mental expression of
certain ideas associated with script.
a. Writing
b. Typewriting
c. Alignment
d. Handwriting