Document Analysis

1. Document Analysis Focus: Handwriting and forgery

2. Match the SAMPLES

3. ONE MINUTE [stop where you run out of time] “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. I am a student at Fairview International School. I am in Mr. Marlon’s class learning about different techniques scientists use to solve crimes. Today, I will learn about handwriting analysis and forgery. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.”

4. SCENARIO [vandalism issue] The principal walks in the room. She comes in and asks for a writing sample from you. They have found several pieces of evidence of vandalism. A group of kids have written on the toilet stalls. She wants to find the guilty parties. Can she do this by comparing each student’s handwriting against the evidence?

5. SCENARIO [vandalism issue] You are GUILTY [but don’t want to be caught]. A picture of the handwritings on the wall is shown to you. She will ask you to write it in front of her. Btw, it needs to look like a normal handwriting. Otherwise, she will now that you are hiding something. [Not allowed: SCRIBBLING, STALLING, making LETTERS EXTRA LARGE]

6. ONE MINUTE [stop where you run out of time] “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. I am a student at Fairview International School. I am in Mr. Marlon’s class learning about different techniques scientists use to solve crimes. Today, I will learn about handwriting analysis and forgery. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.”

7. SWITCH ROLES [find who is guilty] “You are now the principal. And there are guilty parties in the room. It is your job to learn about handwriting analysis and forgery so that you can catch those kids that wrote on the bathroom stalls.”

8. HANDWRITING [not identical] When handwriting is in question, an investigator will ask for a handwriting sample to compare the questionable document against.  The sample should be one done BEFORE investigation [e.g. applications, work documents, previous checks].

9. HANDWRITING [basic characteristics for comparing] Line quality: Do the letters flow or are they written with very intent strokes. Look over the “line quality” of the paper you are examining. Make line quality observations about your sample.  Spacing of words and letters. What is the average space between words and letters?

10. HANDWRITING [basic characteristics for comparing] Ratio of height, width, and size of letters: Are the letters consistent in height, width, and size? Observe your ratios and record your findings. Measure short and tall letters.  Lifting pen: Does the author lift his or her pen to stop writing a word and start a new word? Observe the “lifting pen” habits and record your findings.

11. HANDWRITING [basic characteristics for comparing] Connecting strokes: How are capital letters connected to lower-case letters? Observe the “connecting strokes” habits and record your findings. Unusual letter formation: Are any letters written with unusual slants or angles? Are some letters printed rather than written in cursive? Observe your “unusual letter formation” habits and record your findings.

12. HANDWRITING [basic characteristics for comparing] Pen pressure: How much pressure is applied on upward and downward strokes? Observe any “pen pressure” habits and record your findings. Slant: Do letters slant to the left or right? If slant is pronounced, a protractor may be used to determine the degree.Observe the “slant” habits. Use a protractor to record your findings.

13. HANDWRITING [basic characteristics for comparing] Baseline habits: Does the author write on the line or does the writing go above or below the line? Observe any “baseline” habits and record your findings. Fancy writing habits: Are there any unusual curls or loops or unique styles. Observe any “fancy writing” habits and record your findings.

14. HANDWRITING [basic characteristics for comparing] Placement of diacritics: How does the author cross the t’s or dot the i’s. Observe any “diacritics” habits and record your findings for the top and bottom samples.

15. VANDALS^___^