the basics
a ________ document is any document about which some issue has been raised/ subject to investigation
questioned
True or False: A single handwriting characteristic by itself can be taken as a basis for a positive comparison.
false
if your handwriting doesn't slant left or right, what does this mean for you
you are a psychopath
what are some examples of traits that a document examiner is analyzing
pressure
letter/ word spacing
size
letter connections
pen movement
finger dexterity
True or False: Normally, known writings need not contain words and combinations of letters present in the questioned document.
false
what are the more common examples of a questioned document
charred paper
counterfeit currency
threating letters
ransom letters
fraudulent claims
As the age difference between genuine and unknown specimens becomes greater, the standard tends to become _____ representative of the unknown
less
what can we infer from the knowledge that people were taught to write (cursive) using the same methods
everyone's handwriting looks similar as children, but develops into unique handwriting as motor skills finalize
dissimilarities between two writings are a strong indication of two different writers unless the writer is in under what conditions
duress
weakness
sleep deprivation
when would it be difficult to collect a known sample under comparable conditions
when the author was sleep deprived or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
what is the most common way to alter a document
erasing
______ writings are partially visible impressions appearing on a sheet of paper underneath the one on which the visible writing was done.
indented
what about the unconscious handwriting of two different individuals is true
their handwriting can never be identical
why is it important to have the suspect create a known document as similar to the questioned document as possible
only way to truly compare the two documents, majority of the factors should be comparable
why must there be multiple known documents for comparison
to show the natural variations in the suspects writing characteristics
why is obliteration not typically used in fraud
the top layer of the paper fiber is disturbed and is visible under magnification
Many ink dyes can be separated by the technique of ____ .
thin-layer chromatography
individual variations associated with what functions make it extremely unlikely that all three functions can be reproduced by two different people
mechanical
physical
mental
why is it important for the writer not to be shown the questioned document and that diction be used
The writer should not be distracted and diction allows the subconscious style and characteristics to show
what are some challenges a doc examiner faces when examining a questioned doc
too few samples
sample only has a few words on it
words were deliberately written (vs naturally)
forensic doc examination is the scientific analysis for legal purposes. what are the investigators trying to determine
authenticity, authorship, and alterations
RANDOM
name the three phases of hair growth in order
anagen, catagen, telogen
what were the two predominate writing methods taught in the united states in the late 1800s
palmer method
zaner-bloser method
What about erasing makes it easy to spot on a questioned document
the top layer of the paper fiber is disturbed
when taking a writing sample, the writer refuses to provide a sample and cites the 5th amendment as protecting themself from self incrimination. Are they right?
no, handwriting lies outside the protection of the 5th amendment