Questioned Document Examination - Expert Introduction Expert Article

This article provides an introduction to the processes utilized by forensic experts performing Questioned Document Examinations. Robson Forensic experts specializing in questioned documents frequently provide examinations relevant to business contracts, checks, wills, and others.

Questioned Document Examination

Questioned document examination (QDE) is a forensic science discipline pertaining to documents that are potentially disputed in a court of law. The examination’s primary purpose is to provide evidence about suspicious or questioned documents using a variety of scientific principles and methods. Document examination might include alterations, obliterations, paper analysis, forgery, origin, determining authenticity, or any other questions.

Indented Writing Analysis

Indented writing, or second page writing, is an imprint that may be left on the underlying pages when the top sheet of paper is written upon. This impression of the writing is influenced by pen pressure and thickness of the paper. Indented writing on subsequent pages may not be the same as what appears on the surface of the document. Experts are trained to uncover indented writings that may have been added after the fact, altered or missing from an original document. Indented writing is very useful as a form of connecting evidence.

The Process

Historically, indented writing was identified and deciphered by means of low angle oblique light and photography. More recently, an instrument known as an Electrostatic Detection Apparatus, or ESDA, is used to produce a visual image of the indented writing on transparency film. If applicable, this procedure is non-destructive, and rather non-detectable.

Low Angle Light & Photography

We first apply oblique or low angled lighting to the furrows of indented writing. Photography is then used to preserve the shadowed indentation. A combination of multiple exposures while moving the light source fills in the available indentations with shadows and effectively uncovering the indented writing.

Electrostatic Detection Apparatus

ESDA works by creating an electrostatic image of indented writing, which is then visualized by the application of charge sensitive toners. This sensitive imaging process reacts to sites of microscopic damages to fibers at the surface of a document, which have been created by abrasive interactions with overlying surfaces during the act of handwriting.

Video Spectral Analysis for Questioned Documents

Another valued method used by forensic experts is called Video Spectral Analysis (or Comparator). Comprehensive digital imaging systems can provide the questioned document examiner with an extensive range of facilities for detecting irregularities on altered and counterfeit documents. Detection of alternations includes, but are not limited to:

• Surface features
• Watermarks
• Alterations
• Use of different inks
• Embedded invisible information
• Latent images
• Ink stamps
• Tampering and photo-substitution

Standards

Current standards for document examination are established by the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination (SWGDOC) which is composed of private examiners and government examiners from local, state, and federal laboratories throughout the United States.

Featured Expert

Mark Songer, M.S.F.S.

Forensic Document Examiner

Mark Songer is a court qualified expert in Forensic Document Examinations. He is a former FBI Special Agent (GS-1811) and FBI Document Analyst (GS-1397) with over 30 years of law enforcement and… read more.