Comprehensive Examination of Contested Documents for Forensic Analysis
In modern scientific examination of contested documents, the process goes beyond mere signature comparisons to include analysis of paper, ink, type, print, watermark, and other elements. It is crucial for document examiners to meticulously scrutinize every aspect of a questioned document, from paper folds to ink types, stains, erasures, and alterations. Various considerations such as paper size, watermarks, aging signs, and writing sequence play a significant role in determining the authenticity of a document.
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INTRODUCTION An examination of a contested document is a scientific problem and it is no longer confined to comparison of signatures, thumb impressions or writings but it also includes examination of paper, ink, typed matter, printed matter, watermark and all other elements forming a document.
As a basic rule, the document examiner should conduct a thorough preliminary examination of each and every element of a questioned document with ample patience and then he should proceed for the comparison of signatures or thumb impressions, etc. The examination of a document is not complete until its every element has been studied and examined thoroughly.
Some basic points for consideration in the preliminary examination of a document are enumerated below - 1. Is the paper of unusual size and was it cut or trimmed by hand at any margin ? 2. How many times, the paper has been folded and what is the sequence of folds ? 3. Does the paper show some fresh folds?
4. What is the kind of paper and does its size, water mark or printed matter if any, has any date significance ? 5. Does the paper bear any marks of artificial ageing and has the paper torn, wetted, mutilated in any way and if so, then what is the probable reason ? 6. Is the paper unnecessarily soiled or crumpled?
7. Does the paper show unnatural discoloration or stains ? 8. Does the paper bear indentation marks on the front side or embossed strokes on the reverse side? 9. Does the document show any physical or chemical erasing, obliteration, substitution or alteration of any kind ?
10. Does the document show any thinning of paper in some areas due to the application of physical eraser, when examined under transmitted light ? 11. Does the document show any chemical erasure, when viewed under ultra violet radiations ? 12. Was the document written or typed before or after the paper was folded ? 13. Was the signature appended before or after the paper was folded ?
14. Were more than one kinds of ink or pens used to write the body writings of the document ? 15. Were the signature of executant and witnesses written with the same pen and ink or with different pens and inks ? 16. Does the document show any unnatural spacing between the written or typed lines ? 17. Is the body writing of document written in continuity by one and the same writer ?
18. When the document consists of two or more sheets, whether all the sheets are of the same nature, colour and size ? 19. Does the document bear any remains of pencil or carbon marks beneath/near the signature or writings, which might have been drawn as out lines for forging signature or writings ? 20. In holographic document, do the pen and ink used for signature by the executant tally with those used for body writings ?
21. Does the signature touch any other signature (s) or writings (s) and if so, what is their chronological sequence ? 22. Are the signatures of executants and witnesses written in proper order ? 23. Are the standard signatures inter se consistent and do they provide sufficient data for proper analysis and comparison ? 24. Have the revenue stamp/stamps on the document been properly cancelled ?
25. Is the revenue stamp affixed in normal manner or it shows evidence of having been transplanted from some other documents ? 26. If a counterfoil, do its printing and perforations tally with the alleged counterpart ? 27. If the document is type written, are the margins and spacing uniform ? 28. Is there any unusual decrease or increase in the spacing between the lines at the end of document ?
29. Was the document typed on the same typewriter in continuity ? 30. Is there any alteration in the typed date entry or other portions of the document ? 31. Was the model of typewriter in existence when the document is alleged to be typed ? 32. If a document is a letter, do cancellation mark and postage stamps on it have any significance? 33. Does the document purport to have been written or signed with a ball pen prior to 1945 ?
34. Does the document fit in the envelope in which it was allegedly received ? 35. Does the manner of closing/sealing or opening of the envelope or the printing of envelope have any significance ? 36. Does the envelope show some evidence of opening and reclosing/resealing ? 37. Do the postal and revenue stamps on a document have any date significance ?
38. Are the signatures of executant and witnesses genuine ? 39. Any other unusual feature.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS Instruments and Materials (1) DSLR Camera (2) Light Source (3) Measuring Scale/Ruler (4) Stationery (Colour Pencils, Ball Pen, Paper, Tags) (5) Lenin Tester (6) Magnifying Glass (7) Writing Pad (8) Stereo Microscope (9) Computer System (10) Scanner (11) VSC - Video Spectral Comparator
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS Signature & Handwriting Examination Handwriting and signature are unique to a particular individual. Can be examined by : Lenin Tester Magnifying Glass Microscopic Examnination
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS Ink Examination Chromatography is a method of physically separating the components of inks. Types : (1) HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography (2) TLC Thin Layer Chromatography (3) Paper Chromatography Infrared Light
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS Detection of Indentation Certain documents do not contain any distinguishing mark or note. Indentations can be detected by: Oblique Lighting Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS Obliterations/Alterations/Erasures Removal of writing by physical or chemical means can be detected by: Microscopic examination UV or Infrared (IR) Light Digital Image Processing
