Forensic Document Examination Principles and Practice

About this book

This is the first textbook written specifically for the study of questioned document analysis. The text comprehensively reviews document examination, with specific attention to handwriting identification and forgery detection. Fundamental principles and techniques of document examination are presented throughout in a concise, straightforward manner. Specific concepts attended to include the factors that affect handwriting; the characteristics of handwriting; the guidelines for determining the authenticity or spuriousness of handwriting; and the proper methods for examining a case from start to finish. For the first time, criminal justice students and others requiring an introduction to document analysis will have a resource to consult that outlines the proper method for analyzing handwriting and a detailed procedure for preparing a document case.

In addition to its utility as a textbook for document analysis, the book is an invaluable resource for professionals in fields where interaction with document examiners is commonplace. Police officers, private investigators, and attorneys will all benefit from a basic understanding of document examination and what is required for a document examiner to complete an assignment.

Written for: Forensic scientists, lawyers

Table of contents

Dedication
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Evolution of the Written Word
Chapter 2: Principles of Handwriting
Chapter 3: Factors that Cause Changes in Handwriting
Chapter 4: Handprinting and Numerals
Chapter 5: History of Document Examination
Chapter 6: Forgery
Chapter 7: Other Types of Fraud
Chapter 8: Equipping a Laboratory
Chapter 9: Care and Handling of Documents
Chapter 10: Standards of Comparison
Chapter 11: Systematic Examination of Handwriting
Chapter 12: Master Pattern
Chapter 13: Detecting Fraudulent Documents
Chapter 14: Weighing the Evidence
Chapter 15: Preparing Reports
Chapter 16: Alteration of Documents
Chapter 17: Disguised Writing
Chapter 18: Disguise Versus Simulation
Chapter 19: Check and Credit Card Fraud
Chapter 20: Paper
Chapter 21: Writing Instruments
Chapter 22: Seals, Stamps, and Paper
Chapter 23: Typewriters and Printers
Chapter 24: Duplicating Methods
Chapter 25: Desktop Publishing
Chapter 26: The Discovery Process
Chapter 27: The Litigation Process
Chapter 28: Demonstrative Evidence
Chapter 29: Court Cases
Appendices
Glossaries
Work Cited
Index