Document examination

1. Chapter 16 Notes Part 1 Document examination

2. The Unabomber • In 1978, a package was sent to a professor at Northwestern University. • It exploded when it was opened by a campus security officer.

3. The Unabomber • This started a series of bomb-containing packages sent to universities and airlines. • UN (university) + A (airlines) =UNAbomber

4. The Unabomber • The explosives were usually a pipe within a wooden box, filled with metal objects to create a shrapnel effect on explosion.

5. The Unabomber • In 1985, a computer store owner was killed after picking up a package outside his business.

6. The Unabomber • In 1993 two more of his attacks resulted in fatalities.

7. The Unabomber • In 1995, the Unabomber promised to end his spree if his 35,000 word (~150 page) “Manifesto” was published.

8. The Unabomber • David Kaczynski realized the writing style and philosophy closely resembled that of his brother, Ted Kaczynski.

9. The Unabomber • He was arrested in Montana in 1996. • Inside his cabin were writings similar to the manifesto, three typewriters, and bomb-making materials.

10. The Unabomber • Forensic document examiners were able to match the typewritten manifesto to one of the typewriters recovered from the cabin.

11. The Document Examiner • A document examiner ordinarily involves examining handwriting and typescript to ascertain the source or authenticity of a questioned document.

12. The Document Examiner • An experienced document examiner uses techniques such as microscopy, photography, and chromatography as part of their analyses.

13. The Document Examiner • Possible responsibilities of the examiner include: • identifying efforts to alter or obscure the original meaning of a document and trying to recover the original contents of the writing.

14. The Document Examiner • Reconstructing writing on charred or burned papers.

15. The Document Examiner • Uncovering the meaning of indented writings.

16. The Document Examiner • A questioned document is any object that contains writing whose source or authenticity is in doubt.

17. The Document Examiner • Questioned documents may include but are NOT limited to: • Letters • Checks • Licenses • Contracts • Wills • Passports • Petitions • Lottery Tickets • Writing on walls, doors, etc.

18. The Document Examiner • Gathering documents of known authorship or origin is critical to the outcome of a document examination.

19. Handwriting Comparisons • As children grow up and continue to learn and practice writing, each individual’s writing takes on habitual shapes and patterns that distinguish it from all others.

20. Handwriting Comparisons • The unconscious handwriting of two different individuals can never be identical.

21. Handwriting Comparisons • Variations in angularity, slope, speed, pressure, spacing, connections, pen movement, and writing skill all contribute to the distinguishable style of each person.

22. Handwriting Comparisons • The arrangement of writing on the page also varies, in factors such as: • Margins • Spacing • Crowding • Alignment

23. Handwriting Comparisons • Differences between two writing samples strongly indicates two writers.

24. Handwriting Comparisons • Just like fingerprinting, there is no definitive number of common characteristics required to make an identification or exclusion between two writing samples. • The final decision relies on the expertise of the document examiner.

25. Handwriting Comparisons • Challenges faced by document examiners include: • Insufficient amount of known writing sample.

26. Handwriting Comparisons • Questioned documents containing only a few words.

27. Handwriting Comparisons • Questioned documents written to purposely disguise the author’s handwriting.

28. Handwriting Comparisons

29. Handwriting Comparisons • When collecting known samples of writing from a suspect, a few requirements must be met: • The writing should be done with similar implements.

30. Handwriting Comparisons • The known writing sample should contain some of the same words and letters as the questioned document.

31. Handwriting Comparisons • Adequate number to show the natural variations in the individual’s handwriting.

32. Handwriting Comparisons • Adult handwriting changes very slowly, if at all. • Samples collected within 2-3 years may be considered valid for handwriting analysis.

33. Typescript Comparisons • The document examiner analyzes machine-created documents as well as handwritten ones.

34. Typescript Comparisons • Typescript comparisons include but are NOT limited to: • Computer printed documents • Photocopied pages • Faxes • Typewritten pages

35. Typescript Comparisons • The continued emergence of new technology means the document examiner’s job is constantly evolving.

36. Typescript Comparisons • The first analysis done is the style, shape, and size against a collection of past and present typefaces.

37. Typescript Comparisons • Defect marks on the glass screens of photocopiers can link a document to a particular photocopier.

38. Typescript Comparisons • Visual and microscopic analysis of printed documents can determine the type of printer and ink used. • The analysis can yield specific results such as the make and model of the printer and brand of ink.

39. Typescript Comparisons • Variations in horizontal and vertical alignment can link a document to a particular typewriter.

40. Review • When comparing sample writing to a suspect document, the age difference should be no more than • Six to twelve months • Twelve to eighteen months • Two to three years • Five to seven years

41. Review 2. True or False: Because children are taught handwriting skills in school and are taught to copy this style, the use of examining handwriting has limited applicability in solving crimes.

42. Review 3. True or False: In the examination of questioned documents, the suspect should be furnished with a pen and paper similar to those that were used to create the original document.