UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)

VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

FORENSIC 3 (5 UNITS)

PRELIM COVERAGE

MODULE 1
Title: Historical Background of Questioned Document Examination

Overview: It is necessary for future document examiner to familiarize themselves to the various
trends and development in questioned document examination.

Introduction:
The term “Questioned Document” is often given a meaning as any signature,
handwriting, typewriting, or other marks whose source or authority is in dispute or doubtful. In
many departments of law enforcement which operate identification and detection laboratories,
document examinations represent the largest single category of scientific examinations.
On the other hand, Questioned Document Examination is a profession since 1870 and
frequently found in cases of forgery, counterfeiting, mail fraud, kidnapping, gambling, organized
crimes, white collar crime, theft, robbery, arson etc. Furthermore, it is the domain primarily of
the National Police Crime Laboratory, specifically by the Criminalistics Division although other
government agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation and Licensed Criminologist
can also perform the examination, provided that criminologists practice their profession and are
certified to have gained training, experience and specialization in questioned document
examination field.

Learning Outcomes:
a. Trace the historical background of documents.
b. Comprehend the historical development and principle of QDE in connection with
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.
Learning Objectives:

a. The students will be able to describe the nature, scope, methods and procedures in
conducting examination of Questioned Documents.
Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

PERSONALITIES IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS EXAMINATION

1. ALBERT SHERMAN OSBORN- he was considered as a father of Scientific Examination of

Questioned document.
-first American prominent in the field of forgery detection and author of the seminal Questioned
Document.
-founded the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners on September 2, 1942.
2. ALBERT D. OSBORN- he was the 3rd President of the ASQDE and one of the 15 men who
founded the society.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

-He was the son of the founding president of the ASQDE, Albert S. Osborn, and was associated
with A. S. Osborn in private practice for many years. A. D. Osborn's sons, Paul Osborn and
Russell Osborn, both became examiners of questioned documents, as did his grandson John P.
Osborn.
3. B.J VREELAND HARING and J. HOWARD HARING- are the father and son Haring of
New York were the word famous handwriting experts who testified on Charles A. Lindberg Jr.
Kidnapping case.
4. J. NEWTON BAKER- a consultative expert in Disputed document and in 1955 he authored
the book “Law of Disputed and Forged Documents”.
5. JAMES V.P. CONWAY-was an Examiner of Questioned Documents of San Francisco,
California Postal Inspector in charge San Francisco Identification Laboratory U.S. Postal
Inspection Service and authored “Evidential Documents” which was published in Springfield,
Illinois, USA in 1959.
6. HANS SCHEICKERT (1876-1944) was a Doctor of Law and Director of the identification
Bureau of the Police Department of Berlin until 1928. He was a Criminology Professor at the
University of Berlin in 1920 and a well-known handwriting expert.
7. Dr. WILSON R. HARRISON- was the Director of the British Government’s Office Home
Office Forensic Science Society of Questioned Document Examiners.
-He authored the book “Suspect Document Examiners Their Scientific Examination,” first
published in London in 1958.
8. ORDWAY HILTON- the 6th President of the ASQDE.
-he was the first questioned document examiner in the then new crime laboratory of the Chicago
Police Department.
-authored one of the best-known texts in the field “Scientific Examination of Questioned
Documents” in 1956 and a revised edition of the text in 1982.
- he also authored Detecting and Deciphering Erased Writing.
9. ROY A. HUBER- he was the 24th President of the ASQDE.
-he wrote and presented more than 30 papers including such titles as Typist Identification,
Modern Trends in Counterfeiting, The Production and Identification of Embossing Seals and The
Quandary of Qualified Opinions.
-in 1999, he published a book entitled “Handwriting Identification-Facts and Fundamentals
which has become an important text in the training of forensic document examiners.
10. CHARLES CHABOT- he was an English graphologist.
-an early practitioner of Questioned document examination.
- he developed as an expert in handwriting became sought after as an expert witness in a variety
of famous trials including the Roupell case and the Tichborne Case.
-in 1871, he became involved in Establishing the identity of Junius and concluded that he was Sir
Philip Francis.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Document – any material containing marks, symbols, or signs either visible, partially visible
that may present or ultimately convey a meaning to someone, maybe in the form of pencil, ink
writing, typewriting or printing on paper.
- it is an original piece of written or printed matter conveying authoritative information or
evidence.
- document came from the Latin word “DOCUMENTUM”, which means “lesson, or example.”
It was derived also from the French word “docere”, which means to teach.
2. Questioned- any material which some issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

3. Questioned Document- one in which the facts appearing therein may not be true, and are
contested either in whole or part with respect to its authenticity, identity, or origin.
-a document becomes a questioned document when it is being questioned as to its originality,
authenticity, authorship, source and when placed under scrutiny.
4. Questioned Document Examination – refers to the scientific process of investigating
questioned documents. It includes the scrutiny of the writing materials and instrument used, ink,
handwriting and other marks that may affect the authenticity of the document.
5. Disputed document- a term suggesting that there is an argument or controversy over the
document, and strictly speaking this is the true meaning.
6. Standard (Standard Document)- are condensed and compact set of authentic specimens
which, if adequate and proper, should contain a cross section of the material from a known
source.
- standard in questioned documents investigation, we mean those things whose origins are
known and can be proven and which can be legally used as examples to compare with other
matters in question. Usually, a standard consists of the known handwriting of a person such case
standard has the same meaning as is understood by the word “Specimen” of handwriting.
7. Exemplar- a term used by some document examiners and attorneys to characterize known
material. Standard is the older term.
8. Holographic Document- any document completely hand written and signed by one person
also known as holograph.
9. Reference collection- material complied and organized by the document examiner to assist
him in answering special questions. Reference collections of typewriting, check writing
specimens, inks, pens, pencils, and papers are frequently maintained.
10. Questioned Document Examiner - is responsible in Handwriting Identification and is
capable of more than just questions of authorship limited only by their access to laboratory
equipment.
11. Questioned Document Expert – is a person who has specialized knowledge in the
examination of every questioned document as declared by a court.

LEGAL BASIS OF DOCUMENT

1. In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA, 338 O.G 119: any written document by which a right is
established or an obligation is extinguished.
2. In the case of people vs. Nillosquin, CA 48 O.G 4453: every deed or instrument executed by
person by which some disposition or agreement is prove, evidenced or set forth.
3. In relation to Criminal Jurisprudence under the Best Evidence rule: any physical embodiment
of information or ideas; e.g., a letter, a contract, a receipt, a book of account, a blur print, or an
X-ray plate (Black’s Law Dictionary).

KINDS OF DOCUMENTS

1. Public document- a document created, executed or issued by a public official in response

to exigencies (need, demand) of the public service or in the execution of w/c the public
intervenes. Ex. Birth certficate, community tax certificate.
2. Official document- also known as a public document, it is issued by a public official in
the exercise of his functions. It falls within the larger class called public documents.
Brgy. clearance

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
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COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

3. Private document-a deed or an instrument executed by a private person w/out the
intervention of a notary public or other persons legally authorized, and w/c proves some
disposition or agreement as evidenced or set forth therein. Ex. Deed of sale
4. Commercial document-any document defined and regulated by the code of commerce or
any other commercial law. Ex. Passport, bankbook.
5. Electronic document- exist only in electronic form such as data stored on a computer,
network, back-up,archive or other storage media.

WRITINGS WHICH DO NOT CONSTITUTE DOCUMENTS

1. A draft of a Municipal payroll which is not yet approve by the proper authority (People vs.
Camacho, 44 Phil. 484).
2. Mere blank forms of official documents, the spaces of which are not filled up (People vs.
Santiago, CA, 48 O.G 4558)

CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

1. Documents with questioned signatures

-this groups includes any papers containing signature that is under suspicion, the
document whose signature is disputed in its authenticity maybe a check, note, receipt, draft,
contract, will and any commercial, legal, military or personal papers.
2. Document containing alleged fraudulent alterations
-included here are documents on w/c it is alleged that some alterations were made by
erasure, addition, interlineations and substitution. Example: check
3. Questioned or disputed Holograph documents
- the writing of an entire document is all questioned. Diligent scrutiny would pay
attention to consideration of the characteristics of the paper, watermarks, ink, pens, style or
system of writing etc. Example: manuscripts
- these complete documents, if fraudulent are usually vulnerable in many possible
particulars and should be subjected to the most searching scrutiny of the paper, watermarks, ink,
pens, style or system of writing, continuity of writing, slant, spacing, and shading of writing.
Holographic will-will entirely written in the handwriting of the testator
Notarial will-signed by the testator acknowledge before a notary public with 3 witnesses.
4. Documents attacked on the question of their age or date
- included here are documents in w/c the age of an instrument or the age of some part of
it is investigated or a document in w/c the comparative age of different parts may have some
bearing on the question of its genuineness.
Example: interesting papers may have been introduced to have been written sometime in
the past but were proven only a few days or a few hours old.
5. Documents attacked on the question of material used in their production
- the materials used in the production of the paper used are subjected to analysis to prove
whether or not the date written on the papers matches the materials used in producing the paper.
6. Documents investigated on the question of type writings/computerprints.
-the question that maybe raised in the document may either be the use of the same machine at
different times or at different times on different machines.
-papers containing typewriting may be examined to ascertain the typewriter used in writing the
document. This case also involves determining the number of typewriter used and the possible
fraudulent changes.

Typewriting are investigated:

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
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COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

a. with a view of determining their date
b. with a view of determining whether or not they contain fraudulent alterations
or substituted pages

Computer prints are investigated:

a. with a view of determining their unique identifying characteristics
b. with a view of determining whether or not they contain fraudulent entries on
databases
c. with a view of determining ink databases, copy toner databases, paper data
bases and watermarks
d. with a view of determining type of computers and computer printouts

7. Documents or writings investigated because it is alleged that they identify some person
through handwritings- this class includes all documents, papers or writing instruments by w/c
the handwriting and contents tend to identify some person. The most common documents in this
class are the anonymous and disputed letters.
Example: anonymous and disputed letters, superscriptions, registrations, and miscellaneous
writings.
8. Genuine documents erroneously or fraudulently attacked or disputed
- this class of disputed papers are questioned regarding handwriting or penmanship whether a
certain writing is genuine or forged.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

MODULE 2
Title: Document and Questioned Document Examination

Overview: This module presents the different divisions and various procedures in questioned
document examination, and the basic requirements in document examination as practice in our
country.

Introduction:
In forensic science, Questioned Document Examination is the examination of documents
potentially disputed in a court of law. Its primary purpose is to provide evidence about a
suspicious or questionable document using scientific processes and methods. Evidence might
include alterations, the chain of possession, damage to the document, forgery, origin, authenticity
or other questions that come up when a document is challenged in court.

Learning Outcomes:
c. Know the divisions and basic requirements in questioned document
examination.
d. Understand the scientific methods and techniques in the examination of
questioned document.

Learning Objectives:

a. The students will be able to identify and familiarize the different instruments
and apparatus used in QDE.
b. The students will be able to demonstrate proper handling and preservation of
submitted Questioned and Standard document for examination.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

Technical terms

1. Addition – any matter made a part of the document after its original preparation may be
referred to as addition.
2. Conclusion – a scientific conclusion results form relating observed facts by logical, common
sense reasoning in accordance with established rules or laws. The document examiners
conclusion, in legal terms is referred to as opinion.
3. Document Examiner – one who studies scientifically the details and elements of documents
in order to identify their source or to discover other facts concerning them.
- often referred to as handwriting identification experts, but today the work has outgrown this
latter title and involves other problems than merely the examination of handwriting.
4. Erasure – the removal of writings, typewriting or printing, from a document is an erasure. It
maybe accomplished by either of two means. A chemical eradication in which the writing is
removed or bleached by chemical agents. (e.g. liquid ink eradicator) and an abrasive erasure is
where the writing is effaced by rubbing with a rubber eraser or scratching out with a knife or
other sharp instrument.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
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COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

5. Examination- the act of making a close and critical study of any material and with questioned
documents, it is the process necessary to discover the facts about them. Various types are
undertaken, including microscopic, visual photographic, chemical, ultra violet and infr-red
examination.
Expert witness- a legal term used to describe a witness who by reason of his special
training or experience is permitted to express an opinion regarding the issue, or a certain
aspect of the issue, which is involved in a court action. His purpose is to interpret
technical information in his particular specialty in order to assist the court in
administering justice. The document examiner testifies in court as an expert witness.
6. Insertion or Interlineation – the term insertion and interlineations include the addition of
writing and other material between lines or paragraphs or the addition of whole page to a
document.
7. Non-identification- means that the source or authorship of the compared questioned and
standard specimens is different.
8. Qualification- the professional experience, education, and ability of a document examiner.
Before he is permitted to testify as an expert witness, the court must rule that he is qualified in
this field.

DIVISION OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

A. Criminalistics examination- this involves the detection of forgery, erasure, alteration or

obliteration of documents.
Dr. Wilson Harrison a noted British Examiner of questioned documents said that an intelligent
police investigator can detect almost 75% of all forgeries by careful inspection of a document
with simple magnifiers and measuring tools.

B. Handwriting investigation/analysis- this is more focused in determining the author of

writing. It is a more difficult procedure and requires long study and experience.

Aspects of Questioned Document Examination

A. Handwriting Examination (Graphology/Graphoanalysis)
1. examination of signatures and initials
2. examination of anonymous letters
3. hand printing examination
B. Examination of Typewritings and typeprints.
C. Examination of inks
D. Examination of erasures, alterations or obliterations, etc.
1. Detection of alteration
2. Decipherment of erased writings
3. Restoration of obliterated writings
E. Counterfeiting
1. examination of currency bills and coins and the like
2. examination of fake documents
F. Miscellaneous aspects
1. determination of age of documents
2. identification of stamps
3. examination of seal and other authenticating devices

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

BASIC REQUIREMENT IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

(PNP CLO SOP)

A. Request
1. Document examination shall be based on written request from any investigating agency
of the government, court order and/or private requesting party, provided that the letter has
been approved by the director, PNPCL.
2. Document previously examined by any competent agencies of the government shall not
be re-examined except there is a court order.
3. If the case is undergoing trial in court, disputed documents shall be examined only upon
order of the court having jurisdiction of the case.
B. Standard Specimens
The specimens to be submitted will be dependent on the questioned documents under
investigation. First, the original document is necessary and the standards to be collected or
requested should be sufficient; and observance of similarity of subject matter is necessary.

The Logical Progress of Inquiry in Document Examination

A. FIRST- ASCERTAIN THE FACTS: to select “Questioned”, “Denied” or “Admitted”,

“Authentic”, and “Doubtful” documents.

1. Concerning the documents in Questioned:

a. is only one signature in questioned?
b. is any part of the document in question?
c. is the date of the document in questioned?
d. is the paper or the typewriter used in the document in questioned? Etc.
2. Regarding the standards:
a. make sure that there are sufficient numbers of authentic documents for comparison
submitted. If there are inadequate standards, obtain more.
b. determine whether the standards are authentic ones, on which a foundation can be built
for admitting them in evidence.

B. SECOND- ANALYZE THE DETAILS: synthesize the elements, date, circumstances,

conditions, technical problems and the like.
1. The examiner after ascertaining the facts, should have detailed information as to the
circumstances of the document in questioned, the condition of an alleged writer, or of any
condition that may have affected the writing or typewriting or any facts that are part of the
technical problem with the document that is submitted to the expert.
2. He should inquire about the circumstances and conditions as far as the client knows,
such as; was the document signed sitting on the wall, on the lap, or lying in bed? Sitting
on bed, lying on his back or side? For example, a document could have been signed in a
moving automobile or while having a drink at the bar.

C. THIRD- QUALIFY THE CASE:

1. How much time is needed for the examination?
2. Is it possible to complete the study from the original papers, or is it necessary to make
special photo-enlargements for proper examination?
3. If it is possible to make arrangements with the client for photo-enlargements, is it
advisable to do so?

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

4. Photo enlargements are always useful for demonstrating the reasons on which the
opinion is based, especially in court.

Scientific Method in Questioned Document Examination

1. Analysis – properties of characteristics observed or measured.

2. Comparison – properties or characteristics of the unknown determined throught analysis are
now compared with the familiar or recorded properties of known items.
3. Evaluation – Similarities or dissimilarities in properties or characteristics will each have a
certain value for identification, determined by its likelihood of occurrence. The weight or
significance of each must therefore be considered.
4. Verification- it is the process of double checking the accuracy and correctness of the
examination usually conducted by other experts in the said field.

The Criteria of Scientific Examination of Documents

A. Accuracy- correspondence between results obtained and the truth.

B. Precision- measure of the consistency of results obtained in repeated study or
experimentation.

Preliminary Examination of Documents

It is the initial examination conducted on a document to determine whether it is genuine
or not. It is not a misnomer, for in reality it consists of painstaking analysis more than
looking at a document and expressing an off-hand opinion.

A. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF QUESTIONED

DOCUMENT:
1. ensures preparedness;
2. avoidance of delay; and
3. ensures success of the case.

B. Principal points for consideration in the PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION of

questioned documents. Please note that these questions may not be applicable in every
case.
1. Is the signature genuine?
2. Is the signature in a natural position?
3. Are the signatures of the witnesses genuine and were they written in the order as they
appear?
4. Does the signature touch the other writings? Or was it written last?
5. Are there remains of pencil or carbon marks which may have been an outline for the
signature of other writings?
6. Is the signature shown in an embossed form on the back of the sheet?
7. Is the writings written before or after the paper was folded?
8. Is the signature written before or after the paper was folded?
9. Is more than one kind of ink used in the preparation of the document?
10. Are the several sheets of the document exactly the same sizes, thickness and colors?
11. Is the paper torn, burned or mutilated in any way, and if so, for what purpose?
12. Is the paper unnecessary soiled or crumpled?

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
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COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

13. Does the document contain abrasion, chemical/pencil erasures, and
alterations/substitutions of any kind?
14. Does the document show abrasion, erasure or lack of continuity when viewed by
transmitted light?
15. Has the document been wet in any way and if so, for what purpose?
16. If typewritten, are the contents of the document all written on the same machine?
17. Was each sheet written continuously at one time without being removed from the
typewriter?
18. Are there added figures, words, clauses, sentences, paragraphs or pages written on a
different typewriter?
19. Do the perforations agree with the stubs from which the alleged document came?
20. If the document is a carbon copy, does it conform in the size, position and
arrangement of matters with original letterheads?
21. If the document is a letter, does postmark, postage stamps, manner of sealing and
opening of envelope have any significance?
22. Are there indentations in the paper from handwriting or typewriting on a sheet placed
above the paper examined?
23. Is the rubber stamp impression if any appears made from a genuine stamp?
24. Is the Attached seal of proper date or the seal impression made from a genuine seal
and is it made in proper sequence?

C. Who conducts the preliminary Examination?- It should be conducted by a Questioned

Document Expert.

D. Who is a Questioned Document Expert? A Questioned Document Expert is one who

has:
1. Attained the appropriate education and training;
2. Sufficient knowledge on the technical, scientific, and legal aspects of document
examinations; and
3. A broad experience in handling questioned document cases.

E. Reasons for utilizing a questioned document expert:

1. Assurance of preparedness;
2. Trial fiscal or judges are infrequently confronted with document cases; consequently,
they do not possess the knowledge of the documents expert’s ability of the various
methods that exist for determining forgeries.
3. Avoidance of an OFF-HAND opinion.

F. What is an “OFF-HAND OPINION”? off -hand opinion is usually a conclusion that is

not based on thorough scientific examination.

G. The danger of off-hand opinions- it has happened in some cases that an off-hand
opinion, has sent an innocent man to prison, while a murderer was given a chance to
escape.

INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS USED IN QUESTIONED

DOCUMENT EXAMINATIONS

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
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A. Magnifying lens -in almost all questioned document examination, hand lens is commonly
utilized in aid to examination because it is a convenient instrument to handle. It enlarges
the size of the letter or character for the clear view of the examiner.
-bank personnel and other people involved in currency examinations usually use an
ordinary hand lens. The maximum diameter of which is four inches, and this appears big
with its wide frame it has a magnifying power of two times the original only.
B. Shadowgraph- a pictorial image formed by casting a shadow, usually of the hands, upon a
rightful surface or screen.
-this machine is useful in both signature, handwriting and type writing analysis because it
enlarges minute details as much as 20x without ocular piece.
C. Stereoscopic binocular microscope- a tri-dimensional (3D) enlargement is possible.
-detects, retouching, patching and unnatural pen lift in signature analysis.
D. Measures and test plates- those used for signatures and typewritings.
E. Table lamps with adjustable shades (Goose neck Lamps)- used for controlled
illumination; needed in sidelight examination wherein light is placed at a low-angle in a
position oblique to plane or document.
F. Transmitted light gadget- a device where light comes from beneath or behind glass on
document is placed.
-the use of this helps the examiner to determine the presence of erasures, matching of
serration and some other types of alterations in the document.
G. Ultra violet lamp- this is usually used in the detection of counterfeited bills but can
actually
be used to detect security features of qualified documents.
H. Infrared viewer- primarily used to decipher writings in a charred document.
I. Comparison Microscope- similar to that of the bullet comparison microscope.
J. Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)- it is used in the examination of masked or obliterated
text, watermarks, visible fluorescence, paper fluorescence and oblique illumination of
indented writing and embossing.
- Enables forensic document examiners to analyse, compare and distinguish between
different inks and papers, reveal alterations on a document, identify obliterated entries,
identify instances of page substitution, and visualize hidden security printing features.
K. Paper Thickness Gauze- some documents are questioned or disputed in reference to its
kind
and age of paper used in the document.
-used to measure the thickness of the paper.

TECHNIQUES IN THE EXAMINATION OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

A. Microscopic Examination- any examination or study which is made with the microscope in
order to discover minute physical details.
B. Transmitted Light Examination- in this examination, the document is viewed with the source
of illumination behind it and the light passing through the paper.
C. Oblique light examination- an examination with the illumination controlled that it grazes or
strikes the surface of the document from one side at a very low angle.
ex. decipherment of faded handwriting, & determination of outlines in traced forgery.
D. Photographic Examination-this type of examination is very essential in every document
examination. Actual observations are recorded in the photographs.

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E. Ultra-violet examination- ultraviolet radiation is invisible and occurs in the wave lengths just
below the visible blue-violet end of the spectrum.
F. Infrared examination- this examination of documents employs invisible radiation beyond the
red portion of the visible spectrum which is usually recorded on a specially sensitized
photographic emulsion.

HANDLING OF DOCUMENTS AND QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

A. THE CARE OF DISPUTED DOCUMENTS AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

1. It is a basic requirement, that when a document becomes disputed and deposited in
court or with the attorney, in order to maintain its original condition, it should be kept
unfolded and in a separate, proper size envelope or folder. This is true not only for the
disputed documents, but for many other important documentary evidence.
2. It is also advisable that right after the document becomes disputed, or questioned, it is
important to make not only the usual photo static copy (Xerox), but also a proper
photograph or photo-enlargement, done if possible by the document expert or under the
supervision of the document expert.
3. When working in the preparation of case, it is often necessary for the lawyer or court
to handle repeatedly the disputed document. Should this be necessary, instead of handling
and working with the original document, the photograph should be used.
4. Every touching, folding, refolding or pointing to certain parts of a document, can
change the physical condition of the case. For example, touching with wet hands or
fingers can create smearing in the ink, pointing with a pencil can leave marks that create
a suspicion of previous pencil marks, or experiments as proof of attempted forgery.
5. Pointing a document with any other instruments, such as sharp stick, can cause slight
damage which although it cannot be seen by the naked eye, can show definite marks
under the microscope or on the enlarged photograph.
6. No test should be made to alter the conditions of the document, for example, the old-
fashioned ink test, which was used to determine the age of the ink-writing.
7. Should any test be necessary, insist that it should be done in the presence of a chemist,
or in court, or in front of both parties involved in the case.

B. DO’s and DON’T’s in the CARE, HANDLING AND PRESERVATION OF

DOCUMENTS
1. “DO’s”
a. Take disputed papers to Document Examiner’s Laboratory at the First
Opportunity.
b. If storage is necessary, keep in dry place away from excessive heat and strong
light.
c. Maintain in consequential document, unfolded and in transparent plastic
envelope or evidence preserver.
2. “DON’T’S”
a. Do not underscore, make careless marking, fold, erase, impress rubber stamps,
sticker, write on, or otherwise alter any handwriting.
b. Do not smear with fingerprints powder or chemicals.
c. Do not carry handwriting document carelessly in wallet, notebook or brief case
on grounds of interviews.
d. Do not handle disputed papers excessively or carry them in pocket for a long
time.

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e. Do not marked disputed documents (either by consciously writing instruments
or dividers)
f. Do not mutilate or damage by repeated refolding, creasing, cutting, tearing or
punching for filing purposes.
g. Do not allow anyone except qualified specialist to make chemical or other tests;
do not treat or dust for latent finger prints before consulting a document examiner.

C. HANDLING CHARRED DOCUMENTS

1. Those extremely fragile must be handled as little as possible and transporting them to
the laboratory requires extra-ordinary care. With forethought and caution they can be
brought from the distant fire scene to the laboratory.
2. They should be moved in the container in which they are found whenever possible.
When the fragments are not packed tightly, they should be padded with lightweight
absorbent cotton. If jarring cannot be entirely eliminated jarring the box must be kept to a
minimum.
3. Thus every precaution must be taken in handling and transporting the charred residue
in order to prevent the large pieces from becoming unnecessarily and badly broken. The
fragment must be held firmly without crushing and prevent movement or shifting when
finally packed in a sturdy container.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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MODULE 3
Title: Handwriting Identification and Examination

Overview:

This module presents the various principles of identification, basis of handwriting

identification, variation in handwriting, development of handwriting of an individual, recognition
of writing characteristics and movement in handwriting. In addition, this module exhaustively
discusses writing characteristics and other identifying features.

Introduction:

Handwriting is the result of a very complicated series of acts, a combination of certain

forms of visible mental and muscular habit acquired by long continued painstaking efforts.
Handwriting is a skill useful to a person because a person who has learned to write can
put thoughts on paper for others to read. The art and practice of writing is known as penmanship
or calligraphy.
Every handwriting can be identified with its author provided it contains the writing
habits, the individualities, the characteristics of the author in adequate kind and numbers, and
provided further that such writing is subjected to adequate evaluation and comparison with
adequate exemplars of the hand writing of its author. No handwriting is susceptible of
identification it is not identified, if its individualities remain unrecognized.
Several handwritings become subjects of questioned document cases such as in ransom
notes, poison letters, alleged suicide note/letters, anonymous letters and threat letters in matters
of authorship. These cases are submitted for examination to determine its authenticity and to
identify its author.

Learning Outcomes:
c. Understand the principles and basis of handwriting identification.
d. Distinguish forms of writing and the manner of execution in writing.
Learning Objectives:

b. The students will be able to interpret and apply learned processes in the examination
of questioned handwriting.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. BIBLIOTICS -is the study of documents and writing materials to determine their
genuineness or authorship.
2. CHARACTERISTICS- any property or mark which distinguishes and in document
examination commonly called to as the identifying details.
3. COLLATION-side by side comparison.

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-the critical comparison on side by side examination.
4. COMPARISON-the act of setting two or more items side by side to weigh their identifying
qualities; it refers not only visual but also the mental act in which the element of one item are
related to the counterparts of the other.
5. DISGUISED WRITING-a writer may deliberately try to alter his usual writing habits in
hopes of hiding his identity.
6. GRAPHOANALYSIS-the study of handwriting based on the two fundamental strokes, the
curve and the straight strokes.
7. GRAPHOMETRY-analysis by comparison and measurement.
8. GRAPHOLOGY- is the study and analysis of handwriting to assess the writer's traits or
personality.
9. HANDLETTERING- any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is written
separately; also called hand printing.
10. HANDWRITING -is the result of a very complicated series of acts treated as a whole, a
combination of certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by long
painstaking effort.
-Handwriting is sometimes called BRAINWRITING.
11. MOVEMENT-it is an important element in handwriting. It embraces all the factors which
are related to the motion of the writing instrument skill, speed freedom, hesitation, rhythm
emphasis, tremors and the like.
-the manner in which the writing instrument is move that is by finger, hand, forearm or whole
arm.
12. NATURAL WRITING- any specimen of writing executed normally without any attempt to
control or alter its identifying habits and its usual quality or execution.
13. PALEOGRAPHY – is the study of ancient writing that is concerned with inscription on
stone, clay tablets, bone, metal, bamboo strips and other surfaces.
14. PENMANSHIP or CALLIGRAPHY – is the art and practice of attractive handwriting.
15. PRINTSCRIPT- a creative combination of printing and cursive writing.
16. SPEED OF WRITING-the personal pace at which the writer’s pen moves across the paper.
17. SYSTEM OF WRITING-the combination of the basic design of letters and the writing
movement as taught in school make up the writing system.
18. WRITING CONDITION-both the circumstances under which the writing was prepared
and the factors influencing the writer’s ability to write at the time of execution. It includes the
writer’s position (sitting, standing etc.) the paper support and backing, and the writing
instrument; writing ability may be modified by the condition of the writer’s health, nervous
state, or degree of intoxication.
19. WRONG HANDED WRITING-any writing executed with the opposite hand that normally
used; a.k.a “with the awkward hand”. It is one means of disguise. Thus, the writing of a right-
handed person which has been executed with his left hand accounts for the common
terminology for this class of disguise as “left-hand writing”.
20. WRITING IMPULSE-the result of the pen touching down on the paper and moving across
the page, until it is raised from the paper.
NOTE: “No two persons have exactly the same handwriting.”

PRINCIPLES IN THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFICATION

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 Eight (8) Principles of Identification
1. No two writers write exactly alike.
2. The Physical writing condition and position of the person including his writing
instrument may affect the handwriting characteristics but they do not confine all
its identity elements.
3. A writer cannot exceed his maximum writing ability or skill without serious effort
and training over a period of time.
4. The combination of handwriting characteristics including those derived from form
and writing movements are essential elements of identification.
5. Individuality in handwriting can only be determined through comparison
examination with the standard written or prepared under comparable conditions.
6. Similarity does not mean identity.
7. Complete identity means forgery.
8. Sufficiency of specimen
a) A writing was written by one person when there is a sufficient number of
identical writing habits and identical primary controlling characteristics and in
addition, the absence of divergent characteristics.
b) A writing was not written by one person when there is a sufficient number of
divergent writing characteristics and the absence of identical primary controlling
characteristics.

HANDWRITING- It is the result of a very complicated series of facts, being used as whole,
combination of certain forms of visible mental and muscular habits acquired by long, continued
painstaking effort. Some defined handwriting as “visible speech”.

KINDS OF WRITING

1. Cursive- connected writing.

most parts are joined together by a junction connection. It is used by most adults.
This is used when script/manuscript writing is mastered.
in QD examination, the word cursive means RUNNING.

Illustration:

2. Script- separated writing.

is any disconnected style of writing or junction broken. This is being learned by
school children who are just beginning to write. When a person expresses his/her
own idea into writing, it is called FUNCTIONAL WRITING.

Illustration:

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3. Block- capitalized writing (all CAPITAL LETTERS).

is characterized by all capital or uppercase letters. This originates from the
Japanese.

Illustration:

THE BASIC SYSTEMS OF WRITING

1. LOGOGRAPHIC SYSTEM – A system of writing that involves pictures or logos in

constructing words, believed to be the first system of writing which was very difficult to
learn and write and can give relatively few pronunciation clues.

2. SYLLABARY SYSTEM – A system of writing which was developed by a Japanese

named CHEROKEE SEQUOYA that was first used in writing and recording his native
language.

3. ALPHABETIC SYSTEM – This is the system of writing considered to be the most

difficult to invent but very easy to use. This was invented by the SEMETIC People at
about 1500 BC, The PHOENICIANS developed the alphabet further. The GREEK took
it over from the Phoenicians, and the ROMANS borrowed it from the Greeks and have it
well-developed until it was spread out entire the world.

The Philippines has adopted this system by copying the 26-letter Roman
Alphabet from A to Z. This alphabet was equally interpreted to Filipino adding
ñ and “ng” making the Filipino alphabet 28 letters.
ALPHABET is defined as letters that has meaningless shapes arbitrarily linked
with meaningless sounds.

BASIS OF HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION

A. In Wignore’s Principles of judicial proof, handwriting is defined as a visible effect of

bodily movement which is an almost unconscious expression of fixed muscular
habits, reacting from fixed mental impression of certain ideas associated with script
form.
B. Environment, education and occupation affect individuals so variously in the
formation of these muscular habits that finally the act of writing becomes an almost
automatic succession of acts stimulated by these habits.

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C. The imitation of the style of writing by another person becomes difficult because the
other person cannot by mere will power reproduce himself all the muscular
combination from the habit of the first writer.

Development of Handwriting

The following are the different steps in the development of the person’s handwriting.

FIRST STEP- When a person first begins to learn the art of writing, penmanship, copybook,
forms and blackboard illustrations of the different letters placed before him. His first step is one
of imitation only, by a process of drawing, painstaking, laborious slow copying of the letter
form.

SECOND STEP- As the person progresses, the matter of form recedes and the focus of attention
is centered on the execution of various letters that they are actually written instead of drawn.

THIRD STEP- The manual operation in the execution of letters after more progress is likewise
soon relegated to the subjective mind and the process of writing becomes more or less automatic.

WHAT IS HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION?

In the legal sense, as it applies to civil and criminal litigation, handwriting identification
seeks to establish the identity or non-identity of a writer. One handwriting should exhibit
significantly different writing habits and letter designs (allographs) from another.

SHOOL COPYBOOK FORM (school model)

-refers to the standard of handwriting instruction taught in particular school. Classes of
copybook depend on the standard school copy adopted by a writer.
SIGNIFICANCE OF SCHOOL COY FORMS OR SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS AS
BASIS IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF HANDWRITING
1. Similarities of form are not indicative of identity unless they concern unusual form or
what are termed deviations from the normal. Similarities are bound to occur in different
writings but such similarities exist only in letters which are normal in form, the fact bears
no significance.
2. All differences in form are indicated of non-identity.
3. The likeness in form maybe general and simply indicate the class or genus or the
difference that does not differentiate maybe nearly superficial.
4. In many systems of writing, the date and influences of system of writing have an
important bearing on the question of genuine or of forgery and in other cases, the
presence of European characteristics in handwriting is a vital and controlling fact.

IMPORTANCE OF THE DESIGN OF THE LETTERS (System of Writing)

1. To the nationality of the writer
2. To the system learned
3. To the date when the writing was acquired and
4. To some of the influences that have surrounded the writer
RECOGNITION OF HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS

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Writing Characteristics Commonly Involved in the Examination of Handwriting:

1. Form – This refers to the shape or design of the individual letters.

Illustration:

2. Slope or Slant – It is an angle or inclination of the axis of letters relative to the baseline.
Illustration:

Different Writing
Sizes by Slant
3. Size – Size as writing characteristics is somewhat divergent under varying condition and
may have but little significance when applied to only one example, or to as small quality
of writing like a signature unless the divergence is very pronounced.
Illustration:

Size in
Handwriting
4. Proportion – Individual characteristics in relative proportion of letters or proportion of a
part of a letter or relative height of one letter can be found in different writings.
Proportion in letters is one of the hidden features of writing. It is unknown even to the
writer.
5. Ratio of writing – The relation between the tall and short letters is referred to as the
ration of the writing.
Illustration:

Two groups of letters:

a. Short-these are letters written entirely between the lines.

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Ex. a, c, e, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x
b. Tall- these are letters with upper or lower loop or with the projected portions.
Ex. d, b, f, q, h, j, k, l, p, t, y
6. Connecting Strokes – This refers to the strokes of links that connects a letter.
Illustration:

Classification of connecting strokes:

Illustration:

7. Terminal Strokes and Initial Strokes – When a letter, word or name (signature) is
completed in a free, natural writing, the pen is usually raised from the paper while in
motion with a “flying finish” (or what is also referred to as “vanishing”, “tapering” or
“flourishing” terminal strokes) and with many writers, the motion of the pen also slightly
precedes the putting of the pen on the paper at the beginning with a “flying start” so that
the strokes at the beginning and end of words gradually diminish or taper to a “vanishing
point”.
Illustration:

8. Pen – Lift – It is an interruption in a stroke caused by removing the pen from the paper.
Pen-lift or disconnection between letters and letter combinations are maybe due to lack of
movement control.
Illustration:

9. Hiatus – Is a gap between strokes due to speed in writing and defective writing
instruments.
Illustration:

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10. Lateral Spacing – is considered as common characteristics when it conforms to the

ordinary copy-book form.
Illustration:

11. Shading – It is the widening of the ink strokes with increase pressure on the paper
surface.
Illustrations:

12. Line Quality – Refers to the visible record in the written stroke of the basic movement
and manner of holding the writing instrument.
Illustrations:
Good Poor

13. Alignment – Is relation of the parts of the whole line of writing or line of individual
letters in words or signature to the baseline.
Illustration:

14. Rhythm – It is the balanced quality of movements of the harmonious recurrence of stress
or impulse.
-the flowing succession of motion, stresses or impulses in handwriting. The essentials of
rhythm are:

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a. regularity of slope b. regularity of size c. regularity of curvature
Illustrations:

15. Writing skill – it is the relative degree of ability of a writer’s proficiency.

16. Pen Pressure – It is the average force in which the pen makes contact with the paper or
the usual force involved in writing.
Illustrations:

17. Tremor – means “deviations from uniform strokes due to lack of smoothness perfectly
apparent even without magnification”.
Illustrations:

18. Natural Variation – Due to lack of machine-like precision of the human hand; is caused
by external factors, such as the writing instrument and the writing position; influences by
physical and mental condition such as fatigue, intoxication, illness, nervousness and the
age of the writer; due to the quality of the writing prepared in the course of time,
variation in genuine signature appears in superficial parts and does not apply to the whole
process of writing.
19. Rubric or Embellishment – This refers to additional unnecessary strokes not necessary
to legibility of letterforms or writings but incorporated in writing for decorative or
ornamental purposes.

Common Terms and Description of Letters

1. Arch or Arch-any arcade form in the body of the letter.
Illustration:

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2. Beard – rudimentary curved initial strokes.
Illustration:

3. Blunt Ending or Beginning – blunt ending and initial strokes are results of the
drawing

Illustration:

4. Buckle Knot – the horizontal and looped strokes that are often used to complete such
letters.

Illustration:

5. Central Part of the Body- the part of a letter ordinary formed by a small circle that
usually lies on the line of writing.

Illustration:

6. Eye loop or Eyelet- the small loop formed by strokes that extend in divergent
direction.

Illustration:

7. Foot of the Letter or Oval – the lower portion of any down stroke which terminates on
the baseline.

Illustration:

8. Diacritic – an element added to complete certain letters.

Illustration:

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9. Hitch – the introductory backward stroke

Illustration:

10. Hook or Trough – the bend, crook or curved on the inner side of the bottom loop or
curve of small letter.

Illustration:

11. Hump – the rounded outside of the bend, crook, or curve in small letters.

Illustration:

12. Spur – short , horizontal beginning strokes.

Illustration:

13. Knob – rounded appearance at the beginning or ending strokes.

Illustration:

14. Main Stroke or Shank Stem – downward strokes of any letters.

Illustration:

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15. Whirl – the upward strokes usually on letters that have long loops.

Illustration:

16. Space- Filler or Terminal Spur – an upward horizontal or downward final stroke
usually seen in small letters.

Illustration:

17. Retrace or Retracing – a stroke that goes back over another writing stroke.

Illustration:

18. Retouching Patching – stroke that goes back to repair a defective portion of writing.

Illustration:

19. Staff – backspace of a letter.

Illustration:

20. Baseline – rules of imaginary line where the writing rest.

Illustration:

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21. Copybook Form – design of letters, which is fundamental to a writing system.

Illustration:

22. Pen Emphasis – it is the periodic increase in pressure of intermittently forcing the pen
against the paper surface with increased pressure.

Illustration:

The different types of movement in writing is caused by the manner in w/c the writing
instrument is moved whether by finger, wrist, forearm or whole arm movement, the outcome of
which identifies the individuality in writing of a particular person.

HANDWRITING MOVEMENT – an important element in hand writing, which embraces all

of the factors related to the motion of the writing instrument, skill, speed, freedom, hesitation,
rhythm, emphasis, tremor and the like. The manner in which the writing instrument is moved
may influence each of this factors.

MOVEMENT IN HANDWRITING

A. KINDS OF MOVEMENT

1. Finger movement – Most of the letters are formed by the action of the thumb, first
and middle fingers. This is the most inferior movement in writing. It results to poor
quality and lack of rhythm and speed.

Illustration:

2. Hand movement –The action directly comes from the wrist with the combination of
the fingers. This movement affords more expensive more regularity of the lines and
considerable speed in movement.

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Illustration:

3. Forearm Movement – Letters forms are made due to the action of the elbow. The
forearm usually resting on the writing surface the hand starts to write letters produced
area clear-cut, fine in quality and are with regular gradation of heavy and light
pressures, especially in the formation of curves, slopes and up and down strokes.

Illustration:

4. Whole Forearm Movement – The center of the action is the shoulder. This method
is usually employed by creative and demonstrative writer who are fond of artistic
design.

Illustration:

B. QUALITY OF MOVEMENT1

1. Clumsy, illiterate and halting

2. Hesitating and painful due to weakness and illness
3. Strong, heavy and forceful
4. Nervous and irregular
5. Smooth, flowing and rapid

C. SPEED- slow and drawn, deliberate, average, and rapid

D. DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS EMPLOYED AFFECT WRITING IN-smoothness,
directness, uniformity, continuity of strokes, and connecting or curves

GROUP OF MUSCLES IN HANDWRITING MOVEMENT

1. FLEXOR – The muscle that push the pen to form downward strokes
2. EXTENSOR –The muscle that push up the pen to form upward strokes
3. LUMBRICAL – Muscle that form the lateral movement/strokes.

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HANDWRITING STROKE
STROKE- is a series of lines or curves written in a single letter.
- One of the lines of an alphabet or series of lines or curves within a single
letter.
- The path traced by the pen on the paper.

1. Arc/Arch – a curved formed inside the top curve of loop, as in small letters “h”, ‘m”, “n”,
“p”.
2. Ascender – is the top portion of a letter or upper loop.
3. Baseline – maybe actually on a ruled paper, it might be imaginary alignment of writing. It
is the ruled or imaginary line upon which the writing rest.
4. Beaded – preliminary embellished initial stroke which usually occurs in capital letter.
5. Beard – is the rudimentary initial up stroke of a letter.
6. Blunt – the beginning and ending stroke of a letter. (without hesitation)

7. Body – the main portion of the letter, minus the initial of stroke. Terminal strokes and the
diacritic of any. Example: the oval of the letter “O” is the body, minus the downward
stroke and the loop.
8. Bowl – a fully rounded oval or circular form on a letter complete into “O”.
9. Buckle/Buckle Knot – a loop made as a flourished which is added to the letters, as in
small letter “k’ and “a” or in capital letters “A”, “K”, “P”. The horizontal end loop stroke
that are often used to complete a letter.
10. Cacography – a bad writing
11. Calligraphy – the art of beautiful writing
12. Descender – opposite of ascender, the lower portion of a letter.
13. Diacritic – “t” crossing and dots of the letters “I” and “j”. The matters of the Indian script
are also known as diacritic signs. An element added to complete a certain letter, either a
cross bar or a dot.
14. Ending/Terminate Stroke of Toe – the end stroke of a letter.
15. Eye/Eyelet/Eye Loop – a small loop or curved formed inside the letters. This may occur
inside the oval of the letters “a”, “d”, “o”. The small loop form by stroke that extend in
divergent direction as in small letters.
16. Foot – the lower parts which rest on the base line. The small letter “m” has three feet, and
the small letter “n” has two feet.
17. Habits – any repeated elements or details, which may serve to individualize writing.
18. Hesitation – the term applied to the irregular thickening of ink which is found when
writing slows down or stop while the pen take a stock of the position.
19. Hiatus/Pen Jump – a gap occurring between continuous strokes without lifting the pen.
Such as occurrence usually occurs due to speed.
20. Hook – it is a minute curve or an ankle which often occurs at the end of the terminal
strokes. It is also sometimes occur at the beginning of an initial stroke. The terminal
curves of the letters “a”, “d”, “n”, “m’, “p”, “u’, are the hook. In small letter “w” the
initial curve is the hook. The minute involuntary talon like formation found at the
commencement of an initial up stroke or the end terminal stroke.
21. Hump – upper portion of its letter “m”, “n”, “h”, “k”. The rounded outside of the top of
the bend stroke or curve in small letter.
22. Knob – the extra deposit of ink in the initial and terminal stroke due to the slow
withdrawal of the pen from the paper. (usually applicable to fountain pen)
23. Ligature/Connection – the strokes which connect two stroke of letter, characterized by
connected stroke between letters.

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24. Long Letter – those letters with both upper and lower loops.
25. Loop – an oblong curve such as found on the small letters “f”, “go”, “l” and letters stroke
“f” has two. A loop maybe blind or open. A blind loop is usually the result of the ink
having filled the open space.
26. Majuscule – a capital letter
27. Minuscule – a small letter.
28. Movement Impulses – this refer to the continuity of stroke force writing is usually
produce by disconnected and broken movements more motion or movement impulses
than genuine writing.
29. Oval – the portion of the letter which is oval in shape. The small letter stroke “a” , “d” ,
“g” , and “q” contain oval letter “a” , “t” while coming down
30. Patching/Retouching – retouching or going back over a defective portion of a written
stroke. Careful patching is common defect on forgeries.
31. Pen Lift – an interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing instrument from the
paper. Disconnection between letters and letter combination maybe due to lack of
movement control. Using a ball-point pen may cause pen lift due to the failure of the ball
to rotate.
32. Pen Position or Pen Hold – It is the relative location of the pen in relation to the paper
surface which can be determined by the presence of the emphasis or pen shading.
33. Pen Scope – Represents the reach of the hand with the wrist at rest. It is the average
scope or limits of the pen during the process of writing with the wrist of the hand at still.

34. Retrace/Retracing – any part of a stroke which is super imposed upon the original stroke.
It is the stroke which goes back over other writing strokes; it is slightly to occur in others
handwriting. Example: vertical strokes of the letter “d”, “t” while coming downward
from the top to bottom will have a retracing stokes. Any stroke which goes back over
another writing stroke. In natural handwriting there may be instances in which the pen
doubled back over the course.
35. Shoulder – outside portion of the top curve, small letter “m” has three shoulders and the
small letter “n” has two, the small letter “h” has one shoulder.
36. Spur – a short initial or terminal stroke.
37. Staff – Any major long downward stroke of a letter that is the long downward stroke of
the letter “b”, “g”.
38. Stem or Shank – the upright long downward stroke that is the trunk or stalk, normally
seen in capital letters.
39. Tick/ Hitch – any short stroke, which is usually at the top of the letters.
40. Tremor – a writing weakness portrayed by irregular shaky strokes is described as writing
tremor.

QUALITIES OF THE STROKES

1. EXPANSION- whether the movement is extended or limited in its range with respect
to both vertical and horizontal dimension.
2. COORDINATION- whether the flow of movement is controlled or uncertain,
smooth or jerky, continuous or interrupted.
3. SPEED- whether the movement has been rapid or slow and whether the pace has
been steady or variable.
4. PRESSURE- whether the pressure exerted in the movement and its upward and
downward reach.
5. DIRECTION-leftward and right ward trend of the movement and its upward and
downward.

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6. RHYTHM- in the sequence of movements that weave the total pattern, certain
similar phases recur at more or less regular intervals.

HANDWRITING PROBLEMS

1. A signature/handwriting contested by its author which in reality is genuine and

corresponds perfectly to the ordinary, and habitual signatures of that person.
2. A signature/handwriting contested by its author which in reality was written by him but
in a way which was different from the ordinary manner and which is more or less
different from the common genuine signatures of that person.
3. A signature/handwriting contested by its author which in reality was written by a third
person and which is a forgery written in an attempted imitation of a model.
4. A spurious signature/handwriting written by somebody who did not attempt to imitate the
signature of a person and who uses a fictitious name and this to give his work the
appearance of a signature.
5. An uncontested signature/handwriting, in fact, genuine but written by an unknown person
whose name must be deciphered by the document examiner.

GENERAL CLASSES OF QUESTIONED WRITING

1. Forged or simulated writings in which the attempt is made to discard one’s own writing
and assume the exact writing personality of another person.
2. Disguised- those writings that are disguised and in which the writer seeks to hide his own
personality without adapting that of another.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS

Writing habits – writing by all its thousand of peculiarities in combination is the

most personal and individuals thing that a man does that leaves a record which
can be seen and studies. This is what constitutes individuality in handwriting.

1. CLASS or GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS – refers to the general design of letters

and figures that can be found to handwritings of several people.

-these characteristics refer to those habits that are part of basic writing system or which
are modifications of the system of writing found among large group of writers that have
only slight identification value.

Examples of Common Characteristics of Qualities

 ordinary copy-book form

 usual systematic slant They are those which conform to the general type acquired
when learning to write time and place.
 It is the style taught to the child in school or by the parents.
 Not all characteristics encountered in document examination are peculiar to a
single person or thing, but rather common to all group.
 ordinary scale of proportion or ratio
 conventional spacing

2. Individual or Personal Characteristics

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 Are those introduced into the handwriting consciously or unconsciously by the
writer. They are highly personal or peculiar and are unlikely to occur in other
instances.
 refers to the personal design of letters and figures by a person that cannot be
found to others’ handwriting.

CHARACTER is any letter, numeral, punctuation mark, symbol or

ornament found in a document.
ABSENT CHARACTER is the term that refers to a character or
character combination which is present in one body of writing but is NOT present
in another body of writing.
ACCIDENTAL CHARACTERISTICS – is a single occurrence of a
characteristic which is not a usual stroke of the writer. These are results of some
interference with the normal formation of the characteristics.

This Class of Characteristics are acquired either by:

1. Outgrowth of definite teaching

2. Result of imitation
3. Accidental condition or circumstances
4. Expression of certain mental and physical traits of the writer as affected by education,
by environment and by occupation

Examples of some of the Individual Characteristics

 hook to the right and hook to the left

 shape, position, size, and angle of “I: dot and “t” crossing
 idiosyncrasies
 bulbs and distinctive initial and final pressure embellishment, added strokes, and
free movement endings.
 abbreviation of letters
 simple and compound curves
 labored movements producing ragged lines
 terminal shading and forceful endings
 presence of and influence of foreign handwriting

CLASSIFICATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. PERMANENT - this characteristic can be found always in a handwriting of a person.

2. COMMON or USUAL - this characteristic can be found in a group of writers who studied
the same system of writing. Example: Stenography.

3. OCCASIONAL - this characteristic is only found occasionally in one’s handwriting. This is

unique stroke that makes the writer different from others.

4. RARE - this characteristic is special to the writer and perhaps found only in one or two
persons in a group of 100 individuals.

TYPES OF HANDWRITING ACCORDING TO MUSCULAR CONTROL

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1. LOOSE WRITING- this is characterized by too much freedom of movement and lack of
regulation. This is noticed especially in tall letter forms.

2. RESTRAINED WRITING- there is lack of freedom and inhibited movements. This writing
is small. There is distortion of letter forms which may lead to illegibility.

INDICATIONS OF SPEED (SPEEDY) WRITING

A. Smooth, unbroken strokes and rounded forms.

B. Frequent signs or tendencies to the right.
C. Marked uncertainty as to the location of the dots of small letters “i”, “j” and crosses of
small letter “t”.
D. Increased spontaneity of words or small letter “t” connected with the following words
E. Letters curtailed or degenerated almost to illegibility towards the end of words.
F. Wide writing- width of letters is greater than the connecting spaces adjoining it.
G. Great difference in emphasis between upstrokes and down strokes.
H. Marked simplification of letters especially capital letters.
I. Rising line.
J. Increased pen pressure.
K. Increase in the margin to left at the beginning of the line.

Indications of slow writing

A. Wavering forms and broken strokes

B. Frequent signs or tendencies to the left
C. Conspicuous certainty as to the location of the dots of small letters “i”, “j”, or “t” crosses
with scarcely perceptible deviation from the intended direction.
D. Frequent pauses by meaningless blobs, angles, divided letters and retouches
E. Careful execution of detail of letters, toward the end or names.
F. Narrow writing
G. No difference in emphasis in upstroke and down stroke
H. Ornamental or flourishing connections
I. Sinking lines

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(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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MODULE 4
Title: Standards or Exemplars

Overview:
This module presents the types of handwriting standards, procedure for taking requested
handwriting standards and disguises in handwriting. Furthermore, this module also discusses the
admissibility of standard writings.

Introduction:
Prior to the conduct of document examination, preparation of the documents to be
examined must be readied by the document examiner giving priority to the proper and complete
set and sufficient number of standards of comparison and the questioned. In addition, another
principle involved in handwriting and signature identification is the selection of best standards of
comparison. Standards of comparison must be procured or obtained properly, one which
illustrates completely the author’s personal habits and should be able to demonstrate the author’s
habit in the light of the handwriting which is questioned. The main objective of selecting best
standards of comparison is to gain basis for reliable and sound conclusion.

Learning Outcomes:
a. Discuss the importance of standards in the identification of questioned document.
Learning Objectives:

a. The students will be able to implement procedure for taking requested handwriting
standard.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs

STANDARD DOCUMENTS – Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimen which if
adequate and proper should contain a true cross-section of the material from a known source.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. STANDARD- known writings which indicate how a person writes.

2. EXEMPLARS- specimen of the writing of suspects.
The term standards is a general term referring to all authenticated writings of the suspects
while exemplars refers more especially to a specimens of standard writing offered in evidence or
obtained or request for comparison with the questioned writing.
3. SAMPLE- a selected representative portion of the whole.

Kinds of Standard Documents

A. Collected or Procured

 Those which are obtained from files of document executed in the persons day to
day business, official, social or personal activities.

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 Collected standards are known (genuine) handwritings of an individual, such as
signature and endorsements on cancelled checks, legal papers letters, commercial,
official, public and private documents, and other handwriting such as letters,
memoranda, etc. written in the course of daily life, both business and socials.
B. Requested or Prepared

 Those which are given or made upon the request of an investigator for purpose of
making comparative examination with the request writing.
 Request standards are signature or other handwritings (or hand printings) written
by an individual upon request for the purpose of comparison with other
handwriting, or for specimen purposes. In most instances, collected standards are
preferable to request standards, though both types should be submitted if
available. Standards should be collected from a period dated within a year of the
date questioned document, with some written within weeks or days of the
questioned writing.

C. Post Litem Motam Exemplars

 writings produced by the subject after evidential writings have come into dispute
and solely for the purpose of establishing his contentions.

Types of standards desirable for comparison in the two most common types of questioned
document problems

1. Submit collected and request standards signature from both individual case.
2. When anonymous letter writings other than signature are in questioned.
a. Submit request standards writings of general nature from both victim and suspects
(as much standards writing as possible to obtain within reason).
b. Submit request standards of the questioned text written or printed-at least 3
writings by the suspect/s and in some instanced by the victim.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN THE SELECTION OF STANDARDS

A. The amount of standard written

1. at least ten to twenty five signatures.(PNP-CLO recommends at least eight (8) standard
signatures)
2. writing-usually four or fives pages of natural writing.(PNP-CLO recommends at least
five (5) pages of handwriting standards and observance of similar language or dialect).

B. Similarity of subject matter.

 if the questioned writings are hand printed, then get hand printed standard or
exemplar.
 Extended writing- determine whether the questioned writing is purely cursive, or
script or block or combination of the three or two styles of writing.

C. RELATIVE DATES of the questioned and the standards writing or standard

signatures must be those written five (5) years before or five (5) years after the date of the
questioned signature or writing.

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 This means that the investigator should collect standards that were written nearest
to the possible date of the writing in questioned.

IMPORTANCE OF CONTEMPORANEOUS STANDARDS

1. helps to determine or trace gradual changes on one's hand writing or signature.

2. aids in tracing the development of any writing variation.
D. Condition under which both the questioned and the standard are prepared.

-look for standards prepared under comparable circumstances such as: paper rested on the
knee; standing; sitting; lying down; and or while on moving vehicle.

E. Writing Instrument and paper

-same instrument used in the preparation of the questioned document must be obtained in
the standards.
Ex. if ballpoint was used, then procured collected and dictated standards written by the
use of ballpoint pen.
- if bond paper was used, then procure also collected and requested standards written on
bond paper.

BASIC CARDINAL RULES IN TAKING

REQUESTED OR DICTATED STANDARD

1. DO NOT coach the writer on how to make the letter forms

2. DO NOT show the writer the Questioned Writing
3. DO NOT let the subject copy the writings from the Questioned Writing.
4. DO NOT coach the writer with spelling, grammar or arrangement of words.
5. DO NOT tell how date is written whether in words, figures or the combination.

What is a Disguised Writing?

 Disguised writing is the deliberate attempt on the part of the writer to alter his writing
habit by endeavoring to invent a new writing style or by imitating the writing of another
person.
 Physical Methods of Disguising Handwriting:
 By changing the direction of the slant. The forger may employ a backhand slant,
instead of the usual forehead slant.
 By increasing or decreasing the speed in writing.
 By deliberate carelessness that will produce inferior style of writing.
 By making the letters unusually large or small.
 The forger may use the left hand instead of the right hand.
 Hand printing may be substituted for script.

KINDS OF DISGUISES

1. Change of slant- from right to left or vice versa

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2. Change of letter either from cursive to block style or vice versa
3. Change from cursive to block form or vice versa
4. Change of style from small to big or vice versa
5. Deteriorating one's handwriting
6. Using the wrong hand (AMBIDEXTROUS)

Effects of alcohol in handwriting

A. Physical and mental effects- intoxication affects the physiological being of an

individual hence, the manner of handwriting is also affected.
B. Evidence of alcoholic intoxication in handwriting- Bizarre letter forms, greatly
enlarged writing, illegible forms and writing generally, uneven baseline, meaningless
blobs or extraneous strokes in the writing, inconsistency in slant of writing, inconsistency
in the form of repeated letters.

ADMISSIBILITY OF STANDARD WRITINGS

The following are standard writings which are admissible for comparison purposes:

1. Standard writing witnessed

2. Standards writings admitted
3. Record maintained in regular course of business as standard writings
4. Government document as standard writings
5. Ancient writings
6. Other writings standards- among writings admissible as standard are signature on spelling
motion or other instruments, such as an appearance bond, which may without further
proof of genuineness be used as a standard.
7. Familiarity sometimes establishes standard writings.

Opinion evidence- the court seem to be in general agreement that proof of the
genuineness of a standard cannot be established by the opinion of experts testifying from
a comparison of the writing sought to be used as standard with another writing.

Genuineness of standard decided by court- the sufficiency of the proof of the genuineness of a
standard of writing is a matter to be decided by the court.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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MIDTERM COVERAGE

MODULE 5
Title: Investigation and Detailed Examination of Signatures

Overview:
This module presents the fundamentals of signature examination, types of signatures,
classes of forged signatures and suggested steps in the examination of signature. In addition, this
module exhaustively discusses the examination of signatures its indication of forgery and
genuineness.

Introduction:
Questioned signatures suspected as being forgeries are the more types of handwriting
identification cases and play important roles in many criminal cases over the years.
A person’s handwriting has long been recognized as a form of human identification, the
reason why people are required to sign important documents such as checks, will, deeds an
contracts. The document in which the person affixed his signature or mark tends to show and
confirms authenticity, authority, credibility to a document, while a typed name does not prove a
persons identity. A hand written signature provides proof that the person wrote or is in agreement
with the document.
When the fundamental habit of one’s writing behaviors without the combination of
speed, fluency and rhythm, it could be suspected as good imitation or forgery. Forgery may be
produced by the forger under various processes. It may range from the mere writing of the name
without any attempt to resemble the genuine signature, or simulate or trace to produce a close
resemblance or facsimile of the genuine signature.

Learning Outcomes:
a. Explain the types of signature and classes of forged signature.
b. Know the steps in the examination of signature.
Learning Objectives:
a. The students will fortify their knowledge in signature and forgery that will
prepare them for their future profession especially in the preparation of forensic evidence
in court presentation.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

Definition of signature

 the name of a person written by him/her in a document as a sign of

acknowledgment.
 a person's name, usually in his or her own handwriting.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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 In law, signatures are put at the end of a legal instrument to show that it is valid.
 The most common and readily accepted form is the person's own handwriting, but
a signature may be printed, stamped, or typewritten.

 Illiterate persons often draw an “X” or other symbol, attested by the signature of a
witness.

Figure 114 John Hancock's signature is the

most prominent on the United States
Declaration of Independence.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS

1. CROSS MARK-historically, many who could not write signed with a cross mark or
crude X. This authenticating mark is still used today by illiterates, and if properly
witnessed, it can legally stand for a signature. Ballot marks are also referred to as cross
marks because of the common practice of marking with an X.
2. EVIDENTIAL SIGNATURE-
3. FRAUDULENT SIGNATURE-
4. FREEHAND SIGNATURE-
5. GUIDED SIGNATURE
6. IMITATED SIGNATURE-
7. MODEL SIGNATURE-
8. THEORY OF COMPARISON

Function and styles of signatures

 The traditional function of a signature is evidential:

 it is to give evidence
 the provenance of the document (identity)
 the intention (will) of an individual with regard to that document

STYLES OF SIGNATURE

1. Conventional signature= a signature written in the ordinary longhand writing style or

in a legible manner.

2. Highly conventional signature=a signature that is personal to the writer, characterized

by the presence of ornamentations or series of intertwining strokes.

Forgery of Signature

FORGERY

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- Signing name of person who cannot write
- Unauthorized use of another’s signature
- Transferring genuine signature to not intended document
- Fabrication of an entire document

 A forge signature is the signature of another person or of a fictitious person written by

another who has no authority to do so, with intent to defraud.
 Forgery may be produced under many processes ranging from the mere writing of
the name without any attempt to resemble the genuine model, signature, to the
more complicated process of tracing or simulation to produce a close resemblance
or facsimile if the genuine signature.

Kinds of Forgery
1. Simple Forgery (Spurious Forgery) In this type of forgery, the forger who is confronted
with the absence of a model signature will not attempt to produce a facsimile of the
genuine signature but instead signs the name in his own handwriting or in modified or
disguised handwriting, and then devises ways and means of passing the document
for profit before the obvious fraud is detected.

 This is commonly used in “fictitious persons” cases and invariability by the

check forms, completes and endorses the same with fictitious signature in
order to make them as genuine.
 Determination of the fraudulent nature of this type of forgery becomes very
elementary the movement standards of the signature of the individual
whose signature had been forged are obtained.
 Comparison with two or more genuine ones is enough in arriving at a
preliminary findings non-identity.
 With sufficient specimen of the suspected forger, his identity through his
handwritings may possibility be determined.

2. Simulated Forgery (Freehand Imitation Forgery) refers to the act of

simulation, copying or imitation of a genuine signature or writing.

The forger avails himself of a model genuine signature w/c he places before
him in order to copy the same. Oftentimes, the forger undertakes some practice
before proceeding to do his work of simulation or imitation.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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a. Traced Forgery

 This is the result of an attempt to transfer to a fraudulent document an exact facsimile of

a genuine signature or writing by some tracing process. It is any fraudulent signature
which was executed by actually following the outline of a genuine signature with any
sharp pointed instrument.

KINDS OF TRACED FORGERY

1. Carbon process (Carbon Outline) as the name denotes is that type whereby the
forgery interleaves a carbon paper between the genuine signature (top sheet) and the
document intended to be forged (bottom sheet).

 The outline of the model or genuine signature is traced with a dry pen or any
sharp pointed instrument with considerable pressure to make a carbon outline
signature by the forger.
 Others will improve on the same by tracing the carbon outline with suitable ink
strokes before passing it as genuine.

2. Indentation Process is that type indentation or canal like outlines of the genuine
signature is produced on the fraudulent document (bottom sheet be tracing the outline of
the genuine signature (top sheet) with considerable pressure with any sharp pointed
instrument.

 The indented outline on the fraudulent document is then directly inked in and in
some instances, first retracted with pencil very lightly before it is finally “inked-
in”.

3. Projection or transmitted light process=the fraudulent document is placed immediately

above the genuine signature. With strong light directed through the two sheets of papers
either from below or behind, the outline w/c is seen thru the upper sheet is then retraced
with any suitable writing instrument.

MODULE 6
Title: Money Counterfeiting Examination

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
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Overview:
This module presents the fundamentals of money counterfeiting examination, the
historical development of Philippine peso, current banknotes, characteristics of genuine and
counterfeit paper note/bill and legal aspect of forgery, counterfeiting and falsification, further,
this module comprehensively discusses the parts of paper bills and coins including its
composition.

Introduction:
Counterfeiting is the act of imitating money, passport, stamps, label etc. in order to
defraud a bank, company and other government agencies.
Modern counterfeiting begins with paper money. The term counterfeit shall mean an
imitation that is made usually with the intent to deceptively represent its content or origins. It is
something made to imitate the real thing and used for gain. The word is usually applied to a form
of forgery involving money. The right to make a coin and print money is limited by law to
governments and most nations prohibit not only the making of coins of their own but also the
making of coins or paper money of other governments. The term counterfeit does not only
describe imitating of currencies but also frequently describes forged documents, clothing labels,
software, pharmaceuticals, watches or more recently, cars and motorcycles, especially when this
results in patent infringement or trade mark infringement.
Other commonly encountered items and the problems inherent in counterfeiting are
passports, credit cards, checks, traveler’s check, postage stamps, land transfers, voting records,
car registrations and driver’s licenses, birth certificates and diaries.

Learning Outcomes:
a. Familiarize on the different characteristics of genuine and counterfeit paper bills.
b. Detect and recognize counterfeit money bills, coins, passports, stamps, labels etc.
Learning Objectives: Students show competence in the examination of genuine and counterfeit
money and prepare examination report and evidentiary documents for court demonstration.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

Definition of Terms
1. COUNTERFEITING- it is the crime of making, circulating or uttering false coins and
banknotes. Literally, it means to make a copy of; or imitate; to make a spurious
semblance of, as money or stamps, with the intent to deceive or defraud.
-something made to imitate the real thing used for gain.
2. FALSIFICATION- the act/process of making the content/s of a document not the
intended content.
3. FORGERY- the act of falsely making or materially altering, with intent to defraud, any
writing which if genuine, might be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal liability.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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MONEY COUNTERFIETING EXAMINATION

 Money Defined
 Money, any medium of exchange that is widely accepted in payment for goods and
services and in settlement of debts.
 Money also serves as a standard of value for measuring the relative worth of
different goods and services.
 The number of units of money required to buy a commodity is the price of the
commodity.
 The monetary unit chosen as a measure of value need not, however, be used
widely, or even at all, as a medium of exchange.
 During the colonial period in America, for example, Spanish currency was an
important medium of exchange, while the British pound served as the standard of
value.
PRIMITIVE TYPES OF MONEY
1. COMMODITY MONEY - The principal materials used for this type of money have
been gold, silver, and copper. In ancient times, various articles made of these metals, as
well as of iron and bronze, were used as money, while among primitive societies
commodities such as shells, beads, elephant tusks, furs, skins, and livestock served as
mediums of exchange.
2. CREDIT MONEY is paper backed by promises by the issuer, whether a government or
a bank, to pay an equivalent value in the standard monetary metal, such as gold or silver.
3. FIAT MONEY – is a paper money that is not redeemable in any other type of money
and the value of which is fixed merely by government edict.

COUNTERFEITING is making or copying of something, especially money, in order to defraud

or deceive another.
Legal definition: It is an offense for a person to make a counterfeit (fake) of currency note or
coin intending that he or another shall pass or tender it as genuine.
Etymological definition: Counterfeiting was derived from the Latin word contra (against) and
facere (make or do).

Philippine Peso Banknotes: The New Generation Currency (NGC) Series

• December 16, 2010, the BSP launched a New Generation Currency (NGC) series
banknotes to replace the NDC, which has been in circulation for over twenty-five years.

MAKING OF PAPER MONEY

1. Engraving refers to a process by which the lines to be printed are cut into pieces of metal
by hand or with a machine.
2. Letterpress printing is the most common form of printing for books, magazines,
letterheads and the usual printed forms in common use.
3. Offset printing. In this method, the desired material is photograph and a print is made on
a specially prepared aluminum plate.

100 Peso Bill

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(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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New Philippine Peso Bill

• The new generation Philippines bank notes incorporates the latest available technology in
banknotes security. The new Philippine banknotes or peso bills are smooth but a little bit
rough.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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1. EMBOSSED PRINTS
-raised prints that feel rough to touch, i.e. the words REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS and
DALAWAMPUNG PISO, portrait, signatures, value panels on the face of the note.

2. SERIAL NUMBER
-Composed of 1 or 2 prefix letters and 6 or 7 asymmetric (increasing in size)digits located at the
lower left and upper right corners of the face of the note.

3. SECURITY FIBERS
-red and blue visible fibers embedded on the paper at random and glow in two colors under the
uv light.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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4. WATERMARK
-a shadow image of the portrait and the banknote's denomination at the blank space of the note
when viewed against the light from either side of the note.

5. SEE-THROUGH MARK
-the word Pilipino written in baybayin (pre-Spanish Philippine writing system) is seen in
complete form when the note is viewed against the light.

6. CONCEALED VALUE
-the denominational value which is superimposed on the smaller version portrait at the upper left
side of the note. The value becomes obvious when the note is rotated 45 degree and tilted down.

7. SECURITY THREAD
-an embedded thread running vertically across the note w/c is visible from either side of the note
when viewed against the light.
-a stitch-like metallic thread running vertically across the note which changes color from red to
green. The front of the thread bears the alpha numeric BSP100 in clear text while the back is
imprinted with BSP both in repeated series.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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• The front of the thread carries in clear text the initials of the BSP together with
the numeric denomination in repeated series.

 Likewise at the back of the security thread is printed the initials of the BSP in repeated
series.

8. OPTICALLY VARIABLE DEVICE PATCH

A reflective foil that bears the image of the south sea pearl inside a clam and a small BSP logo.
The color of the clam changes from red to green when the note is rotated at 90.

9. Optically variable Ink (OVI)-found only in the 1000 peso note, this embossed denominational
value at the lower right corner of the face of the note changes color from green to blue when
viewed at different angles.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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Viewed at 45 degrees.

Viewed from above.

Philippine Peso Bill

Security features

New Generation 20 Peso Banknote

 Obverse: President Manuel L. Quezon; Filipino as National Language (1935); Malacañan

Palace; Seal of the Republic of the Philippines; New BSP Seal
 Reverse: Banaue Rice Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage Site); Palm Civet
(Paradoxurus hermaphroditus philippinensis), Weave design from the Cordilleras
 Security Features: (1) embossed prints, (2) serial number, (3) security fibers, (4)
watermark, (5) see-through mark, (6) concealed value, (7) security thread

New Generation 50 Peso Banknote

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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• Obverse: President Sergio Osmeña; First National Assembly 1907; Leyte Landing; Seal
of the Republic of the Philippines; and the New BSP Seal
• Reverse: Taal Lake; Maliputo (Caranx ignobilis); embroidery design handcrafted in
Batangas province
• Security Features: (1) embossed prints, (2) serial number, (3) security fibers, (4)
watermark, (5) see-through mark, (6) concealed value, (7) security thread

New Generation 100 Peso Banknote

• Obverse: President Manuel A. Roxas; Central Bank of the Philippines (1949);

Inauguration of the Third Republic (4 July 1946); Seal of the Republic of the Philippines;
and the New BSP Seal
• Reverse: Mayon Volcano; Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus); Indigenous textile from the
Bicol Region
• Security Features: (1) embossed prints, (2) serial number, (3) security fibers, (4)
watermark, (5) see-through mark, (6) concealed value, (7) security thread

New Generation 200 Peso Banknote

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
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• Obverse: President Diosdado P. Macapagal; EDSA People Power II (January 2001);

Independence House; Barasoain Church; Seal of the Republic of the Philippines; and the
New BSP Seal
• Reverse: Bohol Chocolate Hills; Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta); handcrafted design from the
Visayas in Central Philippines
• Security Features: (1) embossed prints, (2) serial number, (3) security fibers, (4)
watermark, (5) see-through mark, (6) concealed value, (7) security thread

New Generation 500 Peso Banknote

• Obverse: Icons of Democracy - President Corazon C. Aquino, Senator Benigno Aquino

Jr. ; EDSA People Power I February 1986; Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Monument; Seal of the
President; New BSP Seal

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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• Reverse: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (UNESCO World Heritage
Site); Blue-naped Parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis), woven cloth from Southern
Philippines
• Security Features: (1) embossed prints, (2) serial number, (3) security fibers, (4)
watermark, (5) see-through mark, (6) concealed value, (7) security thread, (8) optically
variable device

New Generation 100 Peso Banknote

• Obverse: War Heroes - Josefa Llanes Escoda, Vicente P. Lim, and Jose Abad Santos;
Centennial of Philippine Independence (1998); Medal of Honor; Seal of the Republic of
the Philippines; and the New BSP Seal
• Reverse: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site); South Sea
Pearl (Pinctada maxima), Tinalak or Ikat-dyed abaca woven in Mindanao in Southern
Philippines
• Security Features: (1) embossed prints, (2) serial number, (3) security fibers, (4)
watermark, (5) see-through mark, (6) concealed value, (7) security thread, (8) optically
variable device, (9) optically variable ink

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUINE AND COUNTERFEIT PAPER NOTE/BILL

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT

MAIN PRINT
Distinctive feel & embossed effect Generally smooth
1. The fingers will readily feel the main 1. The fingers will hardly feel the main
print on the front & back on fairly new prints of the front & back even on new
notes. notes.
2. This is due to the measurable 2. This is brought about by offset print

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thickness of the ink deposited on the the most common process employed
paper which gives the prints an by counterfeiters.
embossed effect. 3. The prints are mere stains on the
coating of the sensitized paper which
is glossy.

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT

PORTRAIT
1. Appears life-like 1. It appears dead.
2. The eyes sparkle 2. The eyes do not sparkle.
3. The tiny dots and lines (vignette) 3. It appears blurred, dull, smudgy and
forming the details of the face, hair, poorly printed.
etc are clear, sharp and well defined. 4. Hair is lifeless.
4. Each portrait stands out distinctly 5. The face and/or forehead are often
from background. This is noticeable naturally white or pale due to absence of
along the shoulders. most of the details.

5. The background is composed of multi- 6. The concentric lines depicting the eyes
colored fine pattern of lines in varying often merged into solid printed areas.
tones and shades interlacing with each 7. The background often blends with the
other. These shadings or toning are portrait and is usually scratchy.
intricately printed in such a way that 8. The lines are thick with rough edges.
the contrast or shifting of colors 9. The multi-colored prints on genuine
creates the impression of life & notes are extremely difficult to
vividness to the tones. duplicate and as a result counterfeit
notes are usually off-color & not of
the right shade or tone.

WATERMARK
1. The watermark underneath the 1. This is imitated by printing white ink
security lacework on the right hand or dry block on the finished paper.
side of the note is the same on the
colored portrait.
2. The design is placed by means of 2. Sometimes wax or other oily medium
dandy roll during the manufacture of is stamped to give transparency to the
the paper. portion where the designing appears.

3. Sharp details of the outline or the light 3. Printed outline is placed on the inner
& shadow effect are discernible when sheet where merely a paper cutout is
viewed with the aid of transmitted placed inside. As a result coarse or
light. harsh and occasional irregular lines &
4. The relief of the features can be felt by sometimes-opaque areas are very
running the finger on the design. obvious.

METALLIC THREAD
1. This is a special thread placed 1. Counterfeit by means of printing on
vertically on the paper during the back of the note, on the inner side
manufacture. of the paper, insertion of twin thread
2. On the surface of the paper where this or simply folding the note vertically

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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thread is located are patterns of short where the thread appears on the
vertical lines. genuine bill.

COLORED FIBERS OR SECURITY FIBERS

1. These fibers are scattered on the 1. On counterfeit, this is simulated by
surface of the paper(front & back) at printed lines, cannot be picked off, but
random & can be readily picked off by can be easily erased with ordinary
means of any pointed instrument. rubber or by agitating with wet
2. The colors of these fibers are red & fingers.
blue.

LACEWORK DESIGN
1. The geometric pattern which looks 1. On counterfeit, these geometric
like a delicate lacework along the patterns are often blurred, round on
border on both surfaces, embellishing the edges & blotch on the joints. Its
the potraits, value panel & vignettes continuity could not be traced. The
are multicolored & composed of sharp color appears faded.
lines, which are, continuous &
traceable even at the joints.

SERIAL NUMBERS
1. The prefix letter/s & numbers (six of 1. On counterfeit, the letters & numbers
them except on replacement note) are are poorly printed. They are usually of
clearly printed. different style.
2. They have peculiar style & are 2. Most often, they are evenly spaced &
uniform in size and thickness. Poorly aligned.
3. Spacing of the numbers is uniform & 3. The numbers are too big or too small,
alignment is even. too thick or too thin & in certain cases
shaded on the curves.

VIGNETTE
1. The lines & dots composing the 1. On counterfeit usually dull & poorly
vignettes are fine, distinct & sharp. printed.
2. The varying color tone gives a bold 2. It appears dirty.
look to the picture that makes it stands 3. The lines are comparatively thicker
out of the paper. with rough edges.
4. There is no variation in color tone so
that the picture appears flat.

CLEARNESS OF PRINT
1. The registry of the different printed 1. In general, a spurious not exhibits a
features is perfect. The lines are very second hand look. It is dirty due to the
clear & sharp. There are no burrs sputtering of ink on the interior area.
clinging to the sides. Over-inked areas are visible instantly.
The shadings & ornamentations of the
letters & figures are thick & usually
merged.

EXAMINATION OF SUSPECTED COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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1. As well as inspection under Ultraviolet light, the investigator should look at the banknote
with a hand lens.
2. He should pay particular attention to the quantity of the portrait in the bank note. This is
the one extremely fine detail of a good engraved plate.
3. The color of the ink should be compared with the color of a genuine banknote. It is very
difficult for counterfeiters to match exactly the same shade of ink by a genuine
manufacturer.

PHILIPPINE COINS

 COINS – are metallic disks or small ingots, usually round, that are used as a medium of
exchange and also acquired and saved as a hobby. Coins have been in use for more than
2,600 years, and people have collected them for nearly as long.
-these are pieces of metal stamped by government authority, for use as money or
collectively referring to metal currency.
 NUMISMATICS – is the technical name for the practice of collecting coins.
Numismatics was derived from the Greek word NOMISMA, meaning “COIN” or
“CURRENCY.” Numismatics includes the study of coins, banknotes, medals, tokens,
and primitive forms of money.
 Governments and other official agencies issue billions of coins annually, and collecting
coins is a popular hobby around the world.

GENERAL METHODS OF MAKING COINS

1. CASTING is the most common method of making gold coins.

Plaster molds bearing an image of gold coins are filled (within a low temperature) with
alloy made with lead or tin. Some molds are used for high temperature metal such as copper or
silver alloy.

2. STRIKING OR STAMPING is the making of an impression of a coin or metal blank by

pressure.

GENUINE VS COUNTERFEIT COINS

GENUINE COINS show an even flow of metallic grains. The details of the profile, the seal of
the Republic of the Philippines, letterings & numerals are of high relief, so that it can be readily
felt distinctly by running the fingers on theses features. The beadings are regular & the readings
are deep & even.

COUNTERFEIT (false/ forged) COINS feel greasy & appear slimy. The beading composed of
tiny round dots surrounding the genuine coin appear irregular & elongated depressions & are not
sharp & prominent as in the genuine. The letterings & numerals are low & worn out due to the
lack of sharpness of details. The readings are uneven & show signs of filing.

Examination of counterfeit coins

-examined by:
a. magnifying lens
b. comparing it with a known coin

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(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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LEGAL ASPECT OF FORGERY, COUNTERFEITING AND FALSIFICATION

(Pursuant to Title Four, Chapter One, Revised Penal Code- Crimes against Public Interests)

A. Forgeries- what are the crimes called forgeries?

1. Counterfeiting the great seal of the government of the Philippine Islands, forging the
signature or stamp of the Chief Executive (Art. 161)
2. Counterfeiting coins (Art. 163)
3. Mutilation of coins (Art. 164)
4. Forging treasury or bank notes or other documents payable to bearer (Art. 166)
5. Counterfeiting instruments not payable to bearer (Art. 167)
6. Falsification of legislative documents (Art. 170)
7. Falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastical minister (Art.
171)
8. Falsification by private individuals (Art. 172)
9. Falsification of wireless, cable, telegraph and telephone messages (Art. 173)
10. Falsification of medical certificates, certificates of merit or service (Art.174)
B. Acts punishable under Art. 161.- forging the great seal of the Government of the
Philippines; forging the signature of the President; forging the stamp of the President.
C. What are the crimes under counterfeiting coins? They are: Making and importing and
uttering false coins (Art. 163); mutilation of coins-importation and utterance of mutilated
coins (Art. 164); and selling of false or mutilated coin, without connivance (Art.165).
D. Reason for punishing forgery- forgery of currency is punished so as to maintain the
integrity of the currency and thus insure the credit standing of the government and
prevent the imposition on the public and the government of worthless notes or
obligations.

E. Acts of falsification (Art 171 & 172)

1. Counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric.

2. Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they
did not in fact so participate;

3. Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or proceeding statements other

than those in fact made by them;

4. Making untruthful statements in a narration of facts; altering true dates;

5. Making any alteration or intercalation in a genuine document which changes its

meaning;

6. Issuing in an authenticated form a document purporting to be a copy of an original

document when no such original exists, or including in such copy a statement
contrary to, or different from, that of the genuine original; or

7. Intercalating any instrument or note relative to the issuance thereof in a protocol,

registry, or official book.

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(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
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FINAL COVERAGE

MODULE 7
Writing Materials & Writing Instruments

Overview:

This module presents the fundamentals of writing materials, historical development and
watermarks examination. In addition, it also presents the fundamentals of writing instruments,
historical background, composition and characteristics of inks and the examination and
identification of ink.

Introduction:

Paper and ink do not compose a document unless some symbols, markings or writings are
imprinted therein. The materials that provide the surfaces on which humans use writing
instruments to inscribe writings is known as writing material while the instrument used to form
marks or symbols on a paper is known as the writing instrument.

Learning Outcomes:
a. Appreciate the historical development and significance of writing materials and
instrument.
Learning Objectives:
Students demonstrate competence in the decipherment of secret writing.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING MATERIALS

Definition of terms

1. ANACHRONISM-it refers to something wrong in time and in place. This means that the
forger has trouble matching the paper, ink, or writing materials to the exact date it was
supposed to have been written.
2. PAPER- these are sheets of interlaced fibers- usually cellulose fibers from plants, but
sometimes from cloth rags or other fibrous materials that is formed by pulping the fibers
and causing to felt, or mat, to form a solid surface.
3. WATERMARK- certain papers are marked with a translucent design, a watermark
impressed in them during the course of their manufacture.
4. WRITING MATERIALS- any materials used primarily for writing or recording such as
papers, cardboard, board papers, morocco paper etc.

WRITING MATERIALS IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS- the common (probable)

questioned on paper is its age, whether the actual age of the paper corresponds with the alleged
date of preparation of the questioned document.

PAPER – These are sheets of interlaced fibers - usually cellulose fibers from plants, but
sometimes from cloth rags or other fibrous materials, that is formed by pulping the fibers and
causing to felt, or mat, to form a solid surface.

KINDS OF PAPER
1. PAPYRUS – writing material used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans that
was made from the pith of the stem of a water plant called Sedge (also known as Cyperus
Paperus). Papyrus came from the Latin word Papuros, meaning “Papyrus Plant,” that
reaches 12-25 FT in height.
2. PARCHMENT - a creamy or yellowish material made from dried and treated
sheepskin, goatskin, or other animal hide, formerly used for books and documents. This
is widely used in Perganum City, Anatolia during the 2nd century BC.
3. VELLUM – a paper which is high quality made from calfskin (fine leader), kidskin, or
lambskin (wooly pelt of a lamb).
Codex – early form of book, consisting of bound sheafs of handwritten pages.

INTERNATIONAL PAPER SIZES

Paper is usually sold by the ream in sheets of standard sizes. A ream of paper usually
contains 500 sheets,
Book paper and newsprint for flat-plate printing are sold in reams of 500 sheets and in
perfect reams of 516 sheets. The most common book-paper size is OCTAVO (112 by 168 cm/44
by 66 in).
Newsprint for rotary-press printing comes in rolls of varying sizes; a typical roll of
newsprint, as used by large metropolitan newspapers in the United States, is 168 cm (66 in) wide
and 7,925 m (26,000 ft) long, and weighs about 725 kg (1,600 lb).

DISCOLORATION OF PAPER

Discoloration is highly influenced by storage of the papers or documents in conditions like:

1. Process of oxidation by natural means
2. Exposure to dust and dirts.

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3. Excessive heat temperature against the document.
4. Brown spots due to molds or intervention of insects that may affect the wear and tear of
document.

HISTORY OF PAPER
1. INTRODUCTION - Man has always sought to improve ways of communicating and
recording thoughts.
2. EARLY WRITING MATERIALS - Wax boards, leaves, bronze, silk, and clay tablets.
3. AD 105 - CAI LUN (also spelled as Ts’ai Lun) – the inventor of paper, a Chinese Court
Official of China during the time of Emperor Ho Ti.
4. The art of paper making was kept by the Chinese for 500 years.
5. AD 610 - The Buddhist Monks spread the art of papermaking to Japan. It was the
Japanese people who invented Block Printing.
6. AD 751 - Chinese Vs Arab Armies War. The Chinese were defeated and many of them
were taken as prisoners. Some of the prisoners bargained for their release in a condition
that they will teach the Arabs the Secrets of paper making.
7. AD 1009-1244 - The first Paper Mill was built by the Arabs in Xativa, Spain. It took 400
years for paper to traverse Europe.
8. AD 1338-1470 - French Monks began producing paper used in the production of holy
texts.
9. AD 1411 - A flour mill was converted to Paper Mill in Germany.
10. AD 1588 – England also built its own Paper Mill and produced papers for its citizens.
11. AD 1680 –The first Paper Mill was also built in Culhuacan, Mexico.
12. AD 1690 – William Rittenhouse, a German immigrant to North America founded the
first Paper Mill in North America where the first American Paper Makers were trained.
13. AD 1719 – Rene Antoine Ferchault de Reaumur, after study, he suggested that paper
could be made from wood or trees.
14. AD 1798 – Nicholas Robert invented the first Paper Making Machine.
15. Robert's Machine was improved by the Fourdrinier Bothers: Henry Fourdrinier and
Sealy Fourdrinier, who in 1803 produced the first of the machines that bear their name.
16. AD 1850 – Friedrich Gottlob Keller, a German who devised the method of Paper
Making from Wood Pulp, however, it was of poor quality.
17. AD 1852 – Hugh Burgess, an Englishman who perfected the use of wood pulp by
digesting the wood with chemicals.
18. AD 1867 – C.B. Tilghman, an American Chemist, improved the process of paper
making process from wood by using Sulfites.
19. AD 1879 – C.F. Dahl, a Swede finally perfected the use of wood in the production of
paper by adding another chemical known as Sulfate.
20. 1880 – Hectograph was invented for copying manuscript by transferring it into a layer of
gelatin coated with glycerin.
21. AD 1883 – Charles Stillwell, invented a machine in making brown paper for groceries in
Philadelphia.
22. 1895 – Carbon Paper became common when typewriter was introduced.
23. 1980 - Fax (Facsimile) Machine was invented and became available to many offices.
24. 1911 - Photostat was introduced capable of making copies of photographic documents.
25. 1938 - Chester Carison invented the Xerox Machine.

Development of Paper Manufacturing

 Cai Lun (Tsai Lun) – invention of paper (A.D. 105)

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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 Chlorine – used for bleaching
 Xativa – 1st European paper mill, Spain
 Esparto – grass grown in Libya
 Straw – used to make paper in 1880
 Sulphite – paper from wood
 1450 – invention of the first printing press
 Benjamin Tilgham – used of sulfurous acid on wood pulp
 Carl Dahl (1883) – sodium sulfate produces strong pulp
 Becky Shoeder – paper with phosphorescent material
 Bette Graham – liquid paper
 Nicholas Louis Robert – 1st paper-making machine
 Henry and Sealy Fourdrinier – improve the work of Robert
 John Dickinson (1809) – cylinder machine

TRACING THE AGE OF PAPER (DOCUMENT)

The age of the document may be estimated from paper. Four cases were reported by
Lucas where the age of the document was established from the compositor/composition of the
paper. In one of these cases, a document dated 1213 A.H (A.D 1798) was found to be written on
paper composed entirely of chemically prepared wood cellulose. Considering that this type of
paper was not introduced not until about 60 years later, the document is obviously a fake one.

WATERMARKS EXAMINATION

1. DEFINITION- it is a term for a figure or design incorporated into paper during its
manufacture and appearing lighter than the rest of the street when viewed in transmitted
light. The earliest way of identifying the date of manufacture of the paper is by the
watermark- a brand put on the paper by the manufacturers.
2. HOW WATERMARK IS MADE? The watermark was made when the semi-fluid
paper pulp (mixture of cotton or other fibers) was being drained on a grid of laid (warp)
and chain (woof) wires. Fine wires forming the desired design were tied on top of the
grid and impressed into the pulp. This impression made the paper thinner and therefore
more transparent where it appeared.
3. ORIGIN- watermarks first appeared on papers produced in Italy around 1270, less than
100 years after the art of papermaking was introduced to Europe by Muslims from the
Middle East. Early in the 19th century, papermakers began to solder the watermark wires
to the grid frame, thus insuring uniformity of impression and aiding in the detection of
counterfeiting and forgery. The British postage stamps of 1840 bore a watermark but
stamps of the United States were not so marked until 1895. When paper began to be
machine-made, the watermark wiring was simply transferred to the grid cover of the
dandy roll, a turning cylinder that passed over the paper.
4. CONCEPT OF DOCUMENT’S AGE DETECTION THRU WATERMARKS
a. Sometimes a limit may be placed to the age of the document by means of watermark,
the earliest known dating from 1282. Unfortunately, however, not all papers contain
watermarks.
b. It is impressed into the paper by wires on the rollers called DANDY ROLL that
make the paper and these designs are changed from time to time.
c. Usually, watermarks are requested by their owners/manufacturers with the patent
office.

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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d. If present, watermark is one of the most reliable means of tracing the age of the paper.
However, the questioned documents examiner’s finding is limited only to the
approximate date (year) of the paper manufacture.
e. In determining the age of the paper by watermarks, it is necessary to ascertain the
owner of the watermark in question or its manufacturer.
f. In the FBI this is done by checking the reference file of the Laboratory. Once the
manufacturer is determined, then consideration is given to changes in design and
defects of individual design.
g. In recent years, some large manufacturers have cleverly incorporated inconspicuous
changes in their watermark design in order to date their products.
h. Obviously, document is fraud if it contains a watermark that was not in existence at
the time the document purports to have been executed.
5. IN CASE THE WATERMARK DID NOT CHANGE, THE FOLLOWING IS
APPLIED:
a. Consider any defect in the individual design may furnish a clue as to the age of the
paper.
b. The dandy roll through constant usage, will somehow be damaged. This damage is
also known as caused by wear and tear which becomes progressively more and more
as time goes by.
c. The damage of the dandy roll will leave some peculiar markings on the watermark of
the paper manufactured or all papers that will pass through the damaged dandy roll.
d. The investigator carefully determining the distinct markings caused by the dandy
roll’s damaged surface, will coordinate with the paper manufacture regarding when
such damage occurred on the dandy roll used.

DETAILED EXAMINATION OF WRITING MATERIALS

1. Collect standard document from the issuing institution, company or individual and
compare. Consider the physical characteristics of both questioned and standard
documents such as the size, the thickness, the surface (glossiness, opacity etc.) and the
general texture of the paper.
2. Check with the issuing institution, company or individual about the dissimilarity of
writing material used in the questioned document.
3. Conduct further physical or chemical examination such as folding endurance test, folding
test, bursting test etc.

FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING INSTRUMENTS

Definition of terms

A. Flexibility of pen point- one quality of the nib pen is its pliability. This quality varies
with different pens and can be measured by the amount of pressure necessary to cause a
spreading of the nibs or a given degree of shading.
B. Fountain pen- is a modern nib which contains a reservoir of ink in a specially designed
chamber. After complete filling the pen is capable of writing a number of pages without
refilling.
C. Ink- is a fluid or viscous marking material used for writing or printing.
D. Pen- a tool for writing or drawing with a colored fluid, such as ink or a writing instrument
used to apply inks to the paper is a pen. It came from the Latin word “PENNA” meaning
feather.

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E. Pen nibs- the two divisions or points which from the writing portion of a pen are its nibs.
F. Quill pens- it is a hollow, horny part of large feather usually from goose and was used for
writing on parchment. Poland, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands were the largest
producers of quill.
G. Writing instruments (writing implements)-writing implements, manual devices used to
make alphanumeric marks on or in a surface.

Writing Instrument

1. PEN – general term for ink-refilled writing instrument.

2. BALL PEN – came from the Latin term “Penna” meaning feather. This refers to a writing
instrument with ball rotating at its nib purposely to equally spread its ink to the writing material.
3. FOUNTAIN PEN – popularly called today as “Sign pen.” This kind of pen usually has ink
reservoir that produces more ink as compared to ordinary pens.
4. FIBER TIP PEN – refers also to what is popularly called as “Pentel Pen.” This also contains
ink reservoir, where ink come from and passes to the synthesized fibers before it reaches the
writing material.
5. PENCIL – a writing material that has led that is composed of graphite and clay and located in
the central part. The lead is covered by kaolin that is made up usually from wood mixed with
chemicals to serve as binder.
6. LIQUID LEAD PENCIL – a ball point pencil with an erasable graphite ink introduced in 1955
but phased out during the early 1960s.
7. QUILL PEN - writing instrument made from a feather with a sharpened tip, which is dipped
in ink. Used by Jose Rizal in writing “El Filibusterismo” and “Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me
Not).”
8. STYLOGRAPHIC PEN – a kind of pen used by artist and draftsmen.
9. REYNOLDS PEN – an invention of Milton Reynolds in 1945 in New York, USA.
10. METAL PEN, GLASS PEN, PEN KNIFE – kinds of pen according to flourishing designs
during manufacture.

INK

- is any liquid or viscous pigmented substance used for writing, printing, or drawing.
The composition and consistency of an ink vary according to the purpose for which it is
used.

1. Carbon or Indian or Chinese Ink - earliest ink

2. Negrosine Ink - aniline and nitrobenzene
3. Iron-Tannin Ink (Iron Gallotannate) – use in quill pen, permanent ink
4. Logwood Ink – corrodes tip of pen
5. Fountain Pen Ink (blue-black permanent)
6. Dyestuff Ink – aqueous solution of synthetic dyestuff
7. Alkaline Writing Ink – quick drying ink (acid dye)
8. Ball-Point Pen Inks – George Lazlo Biro (1938) 0.6 to 1mm (.028 to .04 inches) in
diameter
9. Stamp Pad Inks – glycerol, glycol, acetone, benzyl alcohol and water
10. Hectograph Ink – resemble stamp pad
11. Typewriter Ribbons – aniline dyes, carbon black, oil “olein or castor oil”
12. Printing Inks – colored pigments carbon black, oil, resins, synthetic
13. Liquid-Lead Pencil Ink – ordinary ballpoint

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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
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MODULE 7
Title: Typewriter and Typewriting Identification

Overview:

This module presents the evolution of typewriters, identification and examination of

typewritten questioned documents, types of typewriters, classification of typewriters based on
letter designs and the procedures in obtaining typewriting standards or exemplars.

Introduction:

Determining machine impressions is another area of work where a document examiner

can provide assistance. It is important to determine what type of printing process was used to
create a document, identify the type and model of the typewriter and its prints. To examine
typewritten documents, knowledge of machine category and its evidentiary component is
significant to the examiner for better and faster identification.

Learning Outcomes:
a. Explain the basis of typewriting identification.
b. Identify, recognize and classify type writings.
Learning Objectives:
Students can acquire knowledge in the identification and examination of questioned type
writings.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

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TYPEWRITER

-it is a writing machine with a keyboard for reproducing letters, figures, symbols and other
resembling printed one’s; a machine that can reproduce printed characters on paper or that can
produce printed letters and figures on paper; a machine designed to print or impress type
characters on paper, as a speedier and more legible substitute for handwriting.
-Since the introduction of practical typewriters in the 1870s, the machines have come into
universal use and have played an important part in the development of modern business and in
the great dissemination of written and printed information that has characterized the 20th
century.

Typewriting Examination Objectives

1. To identify the manufacturer and model of the typewriter.

2. To identify a specific typewriter.
3. To prove that changes in the document were with a typewriter other than the one used to
type the original document.
4. To establish a limit that can be placed on the age of a document by showing that the
machine was not manufactured before a certain yea

There are three main questions asked of document examiners in relation to typewriting

1. Were the documents typed on the same typewriter?

2. What make and model of typewriter was used to prepare the documents?
3. When was the typewritten document prepared?

Typewriting Examination
1. The design, size and proportions of each of the characteristics
2. The relation of each character as printed to adjacent characters, or its vertical and
horizontal alignment.
3. The vertical position of the character in relation to the line of writing, that is, its
perpendicular, or slants to the left or right.

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4. The comparative weight of impression of the upper, lower, right or left sides of each
character, or as the machine adjusts describe it, hoe the type stands “on the feet” or “off
its feet”.
5. The condition of the type faces of all the letters and characters and the presence of
defects, bruises or scars due to wear or to accidents.

EARLY TYPEWRITERS

1. The first recorded attempt to produce a writing machine was made by the British inventor
Henry Mill, who obtained a British patent by Majesty Queen Anne on January 7, 1714.
2. The next patent issued for a typewriter was granted to the American inventor William Austin
Burt of Detroit, Michigan in 1829 for a machine with type arranged on a semicircular wheel.
3. In 1833 a French patent was given to the French inventor Xavier Progin for a machine that
embodied for the first time one of the principles employed in modern typewriters: the use for
each letter or symbol of separate typebars, actuated by separate lever keys.
CHRISTOPHER LATHAM SHOLES
- has developed the Sholes and Glidden Typewriter on June 23, 1867 that only impress
uppercase letters.
- He is credited as the US inventor of typewriter. His typewriters were developed by other
inventors.
Mr. Sholes was:
- born on February 14, 1819 at
Pensylvannia, USA
- died on February 17, 1890 in Milwaukee.
4. CHARLES GROVER THURBER – an American Inventor Made use of
the device used for moving the paper between letters and between lines on almost all modern
typewriters is a cylindrical platen, against which the paper is held firmly. The platen moves
horizontally to produce the spacing between lines.
5. Several other inventors attempted to produce machines designed to make embossed
impressions that could be read by the blind. One such machine, developed by the American
inventor Alfred Ely Beach in 1856.
6. A similar machine created by the American inventor Samuel W. Francis, and patented by
him in 1856, had a circular arrangement of typebars, a moving paper holder, a bell that rang to
signal the end of a line, and an inked ribbon.

The Remington Typewriter

1. During the 1850s and '60s many inventors tried to produce a workable typewriter, but none
succeeded.
2. Until 1868, when three American inventors:
a. Christopher Latham Sholes;
b. Carlos Glidden;
c. Samuel W. Soulé,
… Patented a writing machine. Early in 1873 they contracted with E. Remington
& Sons of Ilion, New York, manufacturers of rifles and sewing machines, to produce their
typewriter. The first Remington typewriter produced for Sholes and Glidden came off the line in
September 1873.

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3. The Early Remingtons wrote only in capital letters, but in 1878 the carriage shift was made
possible by two inventions:
a. One was a key and lever that moved the carriage a short distance down for
printing the capitals;
b. lever that moved the carriage to its original position for printing the lowercase,
or small, letters.
The other was the double key, with capital and lowercase letters mounted on the same
typebars. The introduction of the shift and double keying permitted the addition of numbers and
other symbols without increasing the size of the keyboard.

TYPEWRITERS AFTER SHOLES AND GLIDDEN

Following the success of the Sholes-Glidden-Remington machine, many new models of
typewriters were invented, but few of them proved to be of any enduring worth, and most were
discarded.
Among the typewriters that proved successful in the U.S. were the Underwood, L. C.
Smith, Royal, and Woodstock.
1920s: THE NOISELESS TYPEWRITER COMPANY introduced the so-called SILENT
TYPEWRITERS, that uses softer roller. This came into use after World War I, used a lever
system for actuating the typebars, but relied on pressure rather than a striking motion to make the
type impression, reducing the noise of operation.
ELECTRIC TYPEWRITERS - have been in extensive use since 1925. In these machines a
motor-driven mechanism performs the actual work of lifting the typebar and striking it against
the ribbon, and also of returning the carriage to the right and turning the platen at the end of the
line.
MARK TWAIN (Samuel Clemens, in true life) – was the first author to publish a novel in a
typed form. The title was “Life at Mississippi” in 1883.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF TYPEWRITER AS TO TYPEFACE

PICA – a type of typewriter that may contain at least 10 characters in an inch. It has bigger
characters as compared to elite typewriters.
ELITE – another type of typewriter in which in a horizontal inch may contain atleast 12
characters.

TERMS ON TYPEWRITING IDENTIFICATION

1. ALIGNMENT DEFECT – the presence of twisted letters, horizontal and vertical mal-
alignment, which can be corrected by special adjustments to the typebar.
2. CLOGGED TYPEFACE – refers to the dirty typefaces that may alter the formation or
design of letters.
3. ESCAPEMENT – also known as PITCH. Refers to the abnormal/ uneven spacing of
letters in a typed document.
4. MACHINE DEFECT – any defect of the typewriting resulting from the malfunctioning
of the machine rather than the typebar or type element.
5. OFF-ITS-FEET – the condition of a typeface or letter heavier on one side or corner than
the remainder of its outline.
6. REBOUND – a defect in which a character prints a double impression with the lighter
part slightly offset to the right or left.
7. TRANSITORY DEFECT – refers to the condition of a typewriter which has dirty
typefaces, and clogged parts that may affect the quality of the characters printed.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

8. TYPEFACE DEFECT – refers to the actual damage, usually a break to the typeface of a
typewriter.

IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION OF TYPEWRITTEN QUESTIONED

DOCUMENTS

Hagan in 1894, made the first comment on typewriting examination. He wrote that all
typewriter machines even when using the same kind of type become more or less peculiar by use
as to the work done by them. These peculiarities positively connect them with the printing done
by the machine.
This exposition of the principles of typewriting identification was followed in 1900 by
AMES who wrote that the identity of writing by different operators have their own peculiar
methods which differ widely in the location of date, address, margins, punctuation, spacing,
signing as well as impressions from touch.
In several articles written between 1901 to 1907, ALBERT S. OSBORNE, the foremost
document examiner of the early 20th century, defined the principles of typewriting identification
used today. He called it “THE LANDMARKS IN TYPEWRITING IDENTIFICATION”.

TYPES OF TYPEWRITERS

A. Conventional typewriters using type bars

1. Pica type- 10 letter/inch
2. Elite type- 12 letters/inch
3. 6 letters/inch
4. Teletype machine
5. 14-16 letter/inch-special typewriters
B. Typewriter using single element or ball – a machine capable of typing 10 0r 12 characters
per inch. Change of horizontal spacing is done easily by the flip of a switch.
C. Typewriter using a print wheel (electronic typewriter)- this has a disc type device called a
print wheel, the printwheel contains all of characters represented on the typewriter keyboard.
This machine has the capability of typing 10, 12 and 15 letters per inch.

CLASSIFICATION OF TYPEWRITERS BASED ON LETTER DESIGNS

A. The small “w”- depending on the presence or absence of a center serif, height of central
peak and design of the two central diagonals.
w-1 - central peak is the same height as the top of the outside stroke and is capped by
serif.
w-2 - same with w-1 but has no central serif.
w-3 – central joining is below the top of the sides.
w-4 – low center but the two central diagonals join the sides well above the base of the
letter.
B. Crossbar of small letter “t” – cross bar is either longer on the right or on the left side and
or equidistant on each side. The curved lower extension of the “t” is either turn upward at
a point the left of, to the right of, or about even with the right terminus of the crossbar of
the “t”.
C. The small letter “g” – upper oval is either much smaller or the same and/or different or
the same in shape than the lower oval. Upper and lower ovals are either very closely
spaced or not.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

D. Small letter “r”- right arm is either long with very small curve at its end or a long right
arm with full curve at the end and/or the right arm is short with its curve moderate to full.
E. Small letter “y”- has three distinctive design:
Lower stroke has a broad turn which forms a very shallow trough.
Lower stroke has a deep full curve which clearly curves right ward.
Lower stroke turns sharply upward like forming a narrow trough.
F. Small letter “i”- has two distinctive designs:
Center of the dot is aligned with the central line of the vertical staff.
Center of the dot is set off to the left of the central line of the vertical staff.
G. Upper and lower strokes of capital letter “E”- maybe equal or the bottom stroke maybe
longer than the upper stroke. The serif is either vertical or oblique. The small “e” may
have its straight either horizontal or oblique.
H. Figure “7” – horizontal stroke is either straight or curve
I. Figure “5” – horizontal stroke is either straight or slightly or fully curved.
J. The comma “,”-tail may extend to the left of the dot or only very slightly to the left of the
dot.
K. Parentheses- may vary in curvature.

Take note: Two typewritten documents are said to be typed from one and the same
typewriter if they agree in type face style, design, spacing, alignment and three or four
scars or damaged type faces.

TYPEWRITING STANDARDS OR EXEMPLARS

-The procurement of typewriting exemplars are grouped as follows:

1. Study of the questioned document by the investigator;

2. Procurement of the regular course of business typewriting;
3. Preparation of exemplar typewriting by the suspected writer;
4. Preparation of typewriting exemplar by the investigator on suspected typewriter and
5. The procurement of the suspected typewriter itself by the investigator.

OBTAINING KNOWN TYPEWRITTEN EXEMPLARS- properly prepared known

typewriting samples not only facilitate the examination in the laboratory but they aid
immediately in the demonstration in the court room.

HOW TO OBTAIN EXEMPLARS OF TYPEWRITING?

1. If the typewriter ribbon is obviously new, remove it from the typewriter and send it to the
laboratory with the typewriting exemplars prepared from another ribbon.
2. Use paper of about the same size as the questioned material, type out a full word for word
copy of the message in question, typographical errors, using as nearly as possible the
same degree of touch as that used in typing the questioned material.
3. After placing the typewriter in a stencil position or removing the cloth ribbon, obtain
samples of each character on the keyboard by typing through carbon paper which has
been inserted carbon side down over a piece of white bond paper.
4. Make certain that each specimen contain the make, model and serial number of the
typewriter from which it was produced as well as the date and initials of the officer.

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
(formerly Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
VICTOR VENTURA PEREZ (VVP) CAMPUS,
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES 3500
BALZAIN CAMPUS: (078) 844-1147 Local 218 – (Trunk Line)(078) 844-8978 – (Fax)
Email add: criminologydept20@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

5. Typewriter specimens should be taken from suspected typewriter/s. it is usually not
necessary to forward the typewriter to the laboratory if complete known exemplars are
obtained.
6. If possible, after a typewritten exemplar is obtained from a suspected typewriter, the
investigation should insure that the typewriter is kept in its current condition.
7. With evidence thus obtained from typewritten documents, the laboratory experts is in
position to lend valuable assistance to the solution and subsequent prosecution of many
cases.

PREPARATION FOR COURT TRIAL

The success of failure of a criminal prosecution usually depends upon the evidence presented to
the court. It is in the court that the investigator/ examiner present the evidence which he has
collected.

The following are guide of the examiner to succeed:

1. Interview witnesses
2. Formulate course of actions
3. Prepare the comparison chart – it contains the manner of presentation of evidence, list
of names of witnesses, what are the proposed questions to be asked?, includes documentary
evidence.
4. Prepare trial brief on how to go about with the case.
5. Be familiar with the case.
6. Present witness and evidence

NOTE:
It is only the court that declares whether a witness is an expert or not.

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