Document AnalysisDocument Analysis

Document AnalysisDocument Analysis

Document analysis consists of Document analysis consists of many different parts of the many different parts of the documentdocument

Used often in forensicsUsed often in forensics Criminals may forge wills, checks, Criminals may forge wills, checks,

and deedsand deeds May copy or create a false May copy or create a false

documentdocument

Document AnalysisDocument Analysis

There are different parts of There are different parts of analyzing a document:analyzing a document:– Handwriting AnalysisHandwriting Analysis– Paper TypesPaper Types– Ink identification using Ink identification using

chromatographychromatography– Hidden changes and concealed Hidden changes and concealed

writingwriting

Handwriting AnalysisHandwriting Analysis

Handwriting is unique to an individualHandwriting is unique to an individual Close analysis will highlight certain Close analysis will highlight certain

details that can indicate forgerydetails that can indicate forgery– Forgery – illegal act of reproducing Forgery – illegal act of reproducing

someone’s signature without permissionsomeone’s signature without permission Forgery is common when forging Forgery is common when forging

names on checksnames on checks

Handwriting AnalysisHandwriting Analysis

Handwriting Analysis Comparison Handwriting Analysis Comparison is the most common analysisis the most common analysis

People develop unique writing People develop unique writing characteristics as they maturecharacteristics as they mature

Unique characteristics carry over Unique characteristics carry over even if writer tries to disguise even if writer tries to disguise their writingtheir writing

Handwriting AnalysisHandwriting Analysis

Experts usually examine specific Experts usually examine specific characteristics including:characteristics including:– Line Quality – Do the letters flow together?Line Quality – Do the letters flow together?– Spacing of words and letters – Looking for Spacing of words and letters – Looking for

average space between lettersaverage space between letters– Ratio of height, width, and size of letters – Ratio of height, width, and size of letters –

Are the letters consistent?Are the letters consistent?– Lifting Pen – Does the author lift pen to Lifting Pen – Does the author lift pen to

start a new word?start a new word?– Connecting Strokes – How are capitals and Connecting Strokes – How are capitals and

lower case letters connected?lower case letters connected?

Handwriting AnalysisHandwriting Analysis

– Strokes to begin and end – Where Strokes to begin and end – Where does the letter begin and end on the does the letter begin and end on the page?page?

– Unusual letter formation – Unusual Unusual letter formation – Unusual slants or angles.slants or angles.

– Pen Pressure – How much pen Pen Pressure – How much pen pressure is applied on upward and pressure is applied on upward and downward strokes?downward strokes?

– Slant – Slant left to right? What Slant – Slant left to right? What angle (protractor)?angle (protractor)?

Handwriting AnalysisHandwriting Analysis

Baseline habits – Does the author Baseline habits – Does the author write on the line or go above or write on the line or go above or below?below?

Fancy writing – Are there unusual Fancy writing – Are there unusual curls or loops present?curls or loops present?

Placement of Diacritics – Does the Placement of Diacritics – Does the author cross the T’s or dot the I’s?author cross the T’s or dot the I’s?

Paper TypesPaper Types

Person may try to forge a Person may try to forge a document that on paper that was document that on paper that was not around 50-60 years agonot around 50-60 years ago

There are many different types of There are many different types of papers that have developed over papers that have developed over the past half centurythe past half century

Paper TypesPaper Types

Ancient Egyptians used to write Ancient Egyptians used to write on papyruson papyrus

First paper invented in 105 B.C. First paper invented in 105 B.C. by the Chineseby the Chinese

Paper consists of strands of Paper consists of strands of cellulose held togethercellulose held together

Paper TypesPaper Types

Paper can be made from a range of Paper can be made from a range of plantsplants

Paper used to make money is made Paper used to make money is made from blend of flax and cottonfrom blend of flax and cotton

Most paper now is made from woodMost paper now is made from wood When analyzing paper the length of When analyzing paper the length of

strands of cellulose is importantstrands of cellulose is important

Paper TypesPaper Types

Paper made with long strands of Paper made with long strands of cellulose is typically stronger but cellulose is typically stronger but rougher and the shorter strands are rougher and the shorter strands are weaker and smootherweaker and smoother

When paper is recycled it is turned into When paper is recycled it is turned into pulppulp

Then it’s re-created into paper and Then it’s re-created into paper and usually will have shorter cellulose usually will have shorter cellulose strandsstrands

Ink IdentificationInk Identification

Ink is usually analyzed using Ink is usually analyzed using chromatographychromatography

Chromatography is a process Chromatography is a process used for separating mixtures by used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in virtue of differences in absorbencyabsorbency

Used to tell you which type of ink Used to tell you which type of ink was used to create a documentwas used to create a document

Hidden ChangesHidden Changes

A document can contain information A document can contain information that is not immediately obviousthat is not immediately obvious

Words could have been hidden using Words could have been hidden using correction fluid, chemically removed, correction fluid, chemically removed, or erasedor erased

Secret message could be written with Secret message could be written with invisible inkinvisible ink

Could hold impressions of another Could hold impressions of another document written on top of itdocument written on top of it