TECHNIQUES
IN THE EXAMINATION
OF
QUESTIONED
DOCUMENTS
Submitted by:
CARYL JOY G. LAURENTE 3B CRIMINOLOGY
Submitted to:
MS. ELSARAH JOY BALBUENA RCRIM
Questioned Documents examination is a
specialized field in the forensic that deals on
analysis on documents authenticity and origin. It
also deals with the accuracy of a documents
whether it states facts about a certain documents
truthfulness.
In analyzing documents, it involves a meticulous
examination of various characteristics of a
document to determine if a certain document is
genuine, altered or being tampered with.
There are techniques employed in order to identify
the accuracy and the authenticity of a documents.
These techniques are employed with scientific
principles that involves visual observation,
analytical methods and with specialized
equipments.
Here are the techniques used
in Questioned Documents;
1. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
PURPOSE:
To reveal tiny details that is invisible to the naked eye.
Examples; ( Alterations, Erasures, Inconsistencies in
Handwriting)
METHODS OF USING:
Using of Microscope can provide to examiners a 3
dimensional views which they can observe details
like the retouching of lines which conceals alterations,
patching of gaps that uses different types of inks and etc.
2. PHOTOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
PURPOSE:
To record and capture image of the documents for
future comparison and analysis.
METHODS OF USING:
In using of Photography in examining documents
using specialized equipments such as macro lenses,
high definition camera lenses and lighting
techniques, examiners will be able to compare both
tampered and original documents, will be able to
reveal minute details, can capture subtle inks
variations and will be able to record documents for
future references.
3. TRANSMITTED LIGHT EXAMINATION
PURPOSE:
After passing through the light in the document, the
light will have the detection of watermarks,
alterations and variations of thickness that may
indicates tampering.
METHODS OF USING:
Examining the documents with the light passing
through it, the light may allows examiners to identify
such as erasures where the area of ink has been
removed, serrations, and hidden markings embedded
on the document’s paper.
4. OBLIQUE LIGHT EXAMINATION
PURPOSE:
To enhance the visibility of indented writing, raised
the impression of the writing and other writing
irregularities.
METHODS OF USING:
By using this technique where the light is placed at a
low angle, the examiners will be able to identify the
indentation from the light making shadows that
made them visible and addition, it identifies the
paper’s texture or the surface where it was
highlighted by the oblique light.
5. INK ANALYSIS
PURPOSE:
To identify the variation of the ink such as the color, it’s
age and it’s source and to determine if more than one ink
was used on a document.
METHODS OF USING:
Using chemical methods such as the most common
utilized chemical method, the thin layer chromatography.
This technique separates the components of the ink
whereby comparison can be made to questioned
samples.
6. INFRARED AND ULTRAVIOLET
EXAMINATION
PURPOSE:
To unveil alterations, erasures, invisible inks,
obliterations, page substitution and even the
chemical treatments applied to the documents.
METHODS OF USING:
Using IR and Ultraviolet examination allows
examiners to penetrate through ink making erased
writings be visible. UV allows inks to fluoresce
differently, making examiner distinguish inks used for
alterations and documents incorporates with security
features are visible in UV lights.
