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QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

DOCUMENT - Any material that contains a mark symbol or sign, either visible, partially visible or
invisible that may presently or ultimately convey a meaning or a message to someone.

TWO CATEGORIES OF DOCUMENT

1. QUESTIONED DOCUMENT – Document to which an issue has been raised or which is under
scrutiny. The focal point of the examination and to which the document examiner relies as
to the extent of the problem. (Also referred to as disputed document).

Any material associated with a matter of under investigation about which there is a question. If
being questioned, submit it to the authority. Questioned examination or forensic question document
examination – scientific study or analysis and comparison of question or disputed handwriting.

Who conducted QD? – people who study more about question document even though you are
criminology board passer. Undergo rigid training. Qualified expert in the field.

2. STANDARD DOCUMENT – Document in which the origin is known can be proven and can
legally be used as sample to compare with other things is questioned.

TYPES OF STANDARDS

1. Collected – Standard specimen executed in the regular course of man’s activity or that which are
executed on the day to day writing activity.

2. Requested – a Standard document which are executed upon request, they are prepare at one
time.

CONTEMPORARY DOCUMENT - documents which are not more than five (5) years before or after.

LEGAL CLASSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS:

1. Public Document - a document created, executed or issued by a public official in response to the
exigencies of the public service, or in the execution of which a public official intervened. Any
instrument authorized by a notary public or a competent public official, with the solemnities
required by law.

2. Official Document - a document which is issued by a public official in the exercise of the functions
of his office. An official document is also a public document as a larger classification.
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3. Private Document - A deed or instrument executed by a private person without the intervention
of a notary public or other person legally authorized, by which documents, some disposition or
agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth.

4. Commercial Document - any document defined and regulated by the Code of Commerce or any
other commercial law.

CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS:

1. Document with questioned Signature (most common).

2. Document containing fraudulent alteration (Any form of changes either an addition or deletion to
the contents of a document).

3. Holograph Document – a document that is completely written and signed by one person.

4. Document questioned as to the material used in their production.

5. Documents questioned as to their age or date.

6. Documents involving typewriting .

7. Document which may identify a person through handwriting .

8. Genuine documents erroneously or fraudulently attacked or disputed.

9. Documents containing printing or type prints.

WRITINGS AND SIGNATURE

1. Writing – is the combination of the basic shape and designs of letter and the writing movement
which was taught in school.

2. Copy book form – is an illustration of the basic designs of letters that is fundamental to the
writing system.

3. Writing movement – refers to factors relative to the motion of the pen such as, pressure, rhythm,
pen lifting, etc.

4. Writing – is the visible result of a very complicated series of acts, being as a whole or a
combination of certain forms which are the very visible result of mental and muscular habits
acquired by long continued painstaking effort.

5. Handwriting – is a visible effect of bodily movement which is an almost unconscious expressions

6. Writing Habits – refers to any repeated elements of once handwriting which serves as an
identifying characteristics.
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7. Significant Writing Habits – elements of one’s writing that are sufficiently unique and well fixed to
serve as a strong basis of individuality.

8. Slant - refers to the relative degree of writing inclination relative to the baseline.

9. Baseline - an imaginary or straight line in which the writing rest.

TYPES OF HANDWRITINGS

1. Cursive – Writing in which the letters are for the most part joined together.

2. Handlettering – refers to writing characterized by a disconnected style.

3. Natural Writing – a specimen of writing that is executed normally and without any attempt of
altering its usual writing habits.

4. Disguised – a specimen of writing executed deliberately with an attempt of changing its usual
writing habits in the hope of hiding one’s identity.

5. Guided/assisted – a specimen of writing executed while the writer’s hand is at steadied. Usually
employed by beginners in writing.

Signature – a name of person signed by himself on a document as a sign of acknowledgement.

Model signature – genuine signature which has been used in preparing a simulated or traced
forgery.

Evidential Signature – specimen signature which was executed in particular date, particular time and
place, under a particular writer’s condition and for a particular purpose.

Classes of Signature

1. Formal or complete – used in signing very important document

3. Informal or cursory – used for routine document

3. Careless scribble – used for not so important document such as delivery of mail or receipt of
purchase equipment etc.

Forgery – is an act of falsifying or counterfeiting any treasure or bank notes, paper bills or any
documents which are payable to the bearer. An act of simulating or tracing somebody’s signature
without the latter’s consent for profit.
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Major types of Forgery

1. Simple forgery – a forges signature where no attempt has been made to make a copy or facsimile of the
genuine writing of a person purported to sign the document. Also known as spurious signature

2. Simulated or Copied forgery – a forged signature which resembles the genuine signature written in free-
hand. Considered as the most skillful type of forgery.

3. Traced Forgery – forged signature which closely resembles the genuine made by some tracing process or
outline form.

Methods of tracing

1. Carbon outline process – used of carbon paper.

2. Indention process- used of considerable pressure, Canal-like process.

3. Projection or transmitted light process- used of light from the back or bottom.

4. Laser method – used of hologram.

Characteristics – refers to any property, marks or elements which distinguishes. Also referred to as identifying
details.
Types of characteristics

1. Class Characteristics – characteristics or properties which are common or which can be found in the
specimen writing of other person. Gross characteristics.

2. Individual Characteristics – characteristics which are highly personal or peculiar. That which is unlikely to
occur in other’s handwriting.

TERMS: (familiarize)

1. Arc – the rounded inner part of an upper curve, bend or crook.

2. Beard – is an introductory up and down strokes found in some capital letters. Also called as double hitch.

3. Blunt – is a part of a stroke characterized by a abrupt beginning or end at which the pen does not creates a
diminishing strokes.

4. Buckle Knot- is a horizontal or loop strokes used to complete letters A, H, F and D.

5. Central Part – is the body of the letter. Characterized by a small rounded or circular strokes.

6. Ductus-link, Ductus-broken- refers to the connection between letters, either joined or disconnected.

7. Eyelet/ eyeloop – refers to small oblong strokes.

8. Hitch – an introductory backward strokes found in most capital letters and in some small letters.

9. Hiatus - an obvious gap between letters.

10. Humps – is the outer portion of an upper curve bend or crook, (see arc).