F Chapter 13 Forensic)

Chapter 13
Documents
1. Document examinations involve handwriting, the type of pen

use, indentation on paper surface, forgery and etc. Document
examiner at the Health Sciences Authority will examine the
question documents.
Types of Examination
2. The various examination are:
a) Comparison of hand writing to determine whether they

were written by the same person
b) Establish the authorship of questioned handwriting by

comparison with suitable reference handwriting
c) Establish whether or not questioned signatures are

genuine or forgeries by comparison with suitable reference
signatures
d) Examine documents for erasure and alteration
e) Examine and decipher impression of handwriting on

documents
f) Comparison of inks on documents and in certain cases

identifies entries written with a different pen.
g) Comparison of photocopies ( including colour photocopies)

to determine if they were produced on the same machine
h) Examine printed documents to determine if they are

genuine or counterfeit and the process used to produce
them.
i) Link printed document to print plates, negatives or original

artwork used to produce them
j) Examine envelops to determine whether they have been

opened and resealed
(86)
k) Indicate as to which of two interesting ink lines was written
first
l) Compare papers and in some cases provide information

about their origin and age
m) Examine torn, shredded, burnt or damaged documents
n) Association of documents seized at different locations,

using a variety of techniques
o) Provide information as to the origins of anonymous letters
p) Reveal the original writing/typewriting under obliteration.
3. They cannot however give any indication or opinion on the

following:
a) The sex, age or character of a person from their

handwriting
b) Establish the authorship of handwriting which is grossly

disguised or which is only available in the form of poor
quality copies
c) Conclusively link ink on documents to particular pens or

date inks
d) Effectively compare signature on different names or

compare writings in different style e.g. block capitals with
cursive (joined up) writing.
e) Once any document has been treated chemically they may

not be carry out an effective examination
f) The original documents must be submitted, photocopies of

the original document will lead to a limited examination.
Packaging of Questioned Documents
4. Any questioned documents should be packaged in envelopes or

cardboard boxes if they are to be examined for indentations. The
documents must not be folded, or stapled in any way, nor should
they be placed under another document whilst it is being written.
(87)
Samples required from a suspect for comparison purposes.
5. Whenever possible the specimens should be taken on a similar

type of document as those that are questioned e.g. a blank
cheques should be used where a cheque is the questioned
documents
6. The specimen should be dictated at a reasonable speed to try

and enforce the suspect to produce their natural handwriting.
When dictating the sample do not include the punctuation, allow
the individual to put in what they deem necessary as this is
something that can be compared later
7. Where a signature is questioned a minimum of 12 samples must

be obtained from the suspect
8. Where a cheque is questioned a minimum of 6 samples must be

obtained from the suspect
9. Sometimes it is necessary to obtain non-request specimens. The

suspect could have made these during their normal day. These
may include.
a) DSS documents
b) Cheques drawn on their own bank account
c) Letters
d) Diaries
e) Application form and etc.
Limitations on Document Examination
10. The document examiner can only compare like with like, A with A
or a with a and etc.
11. The examiner is able to give the opinion in some instance that
one person and no other had written or signed the document.
Equally they can exclude someone from having written the
document. Obviously there will also be a range with these two
statements.
(88)
12. Where it is necessary to show that a document has been produce
from a particular photocopier machine, the following samples will be
needed to be taken for comparison purposes.
a) 12 copies of blank sheet of paper
b) 12 copies where no document is present in the machine
or alternatively submit the photocopier to the laboratory, it having first

been checked by qualified engineer.
(89)

F Chapter 13 Forensic)

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Chapter 13

1. Document examinations involve handwriting, the type of pen

2. The various examination are:

a) Comparison of hand writing to determine whether they

b) Establish the authorship of questioned handwriting by

c) Establish whether or not questioned signatures are

d) Examine documents for erasure and alteration

e) Examine and decipher impression of handwriting on

f) Comparison of inks on documents and in certain cases

g) Comparison of photocopies ( including colour photocopies)

h) Examine printed documents to determine if they are

i) Link printed document to print plates, negatives or original

j) Examine envelops to determine whether they have been

l) Compare papers and in some cases provide information

m) Examine torn, shredded, burnt or damaged documents

n) Association of documents seized at different locations,

o) Provide information as to the origins of anonymous letters

p) Reveal the original writing/typewriting under obliteration.

3. They cannot however give any indication or opinion on the

a) The sex, age or character of a person from their

b) Establish the authorship of handwriting which is grossly

c) Conclusively link ink on documents to particular pens or

d) Effectively compare signature on different names or

e) Once any document has been treated chemically they may

f) The original documents must be submitted, photocopies of

Packaging of Questioned Documents

4. Any questioned documents should be packaged in envelopes or

5. Whenever possible the specimens should be taken on a similar

6. The specimen should be dictated at a reasonable speed to try

7. Where a signature is questioned a minimum of 12 samples must

8. Where a cheque is questioned a minimum of 6 samples must be

9. Sometimes it is necessary to obtain non-request specimens. The

b) Cheques drawn on their own bank account

e) Application form and etc.

Limitations on Document Examination

a) 12 copies of blank sheet of paper

b) 12 copies where no document is present in the machine

or alternatively submit the photocopier to the laboratory, it having first

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