Occasionally, the initials of a person are called into question. Initials inherently have more limitations than signatures when a document examiner attempts to identify or eliminate a person as the writer. Unlike signatures initials are commonly limited to only two or three letters. They may be written in a simple printed style or have some individuality when written in a cursive manner.
The acquisition of initial specimens known to be written by the purported writer may be difficult to obtain for the comparison process.
Because of the limitations mentioned, it would be extraordinary for a qualified document examiner to render an unqualified opinion a suspect writer did, or did not, write initials in question. At best, a qualified opinion is typically provided such as, “There are indications the initials in question are genuine.”
The marketing of autographed sports items with ‘forged’ signatures is an unfortunate reality. It is not uncommon for document examiners to receive requests to examine memorabilia to determine if an autograph is genuine or not. The methodology for autographs on sports memorabilia, works of art, or other non-traditional writing surfaces is essentially the same as with paper documents.
A qualified examiner retained for the examination of an autographed product should be provided with the original item as well as numerous known signature specimens for the comparison process. The known signature samples would ideally be dated in close proximity to the autograph in question. Other similarly autographed items, i.e., baseball, football, would be of valuable in determining if the surface influenced the quality of the signature by the purported signer.
The examination process is neither simplistic or quick. Beware of anyone that purports to be able to ‘short cut’ the examination of autographs or any other type of signatures examination.
A common request made to document examiners is to ‘date’ a signature or handwritten entries in a medical file, diary, etc. The dating process is a specialized area requiring the expertise and laboratory instruments of an ink chemist. Ink samples must be taken from the page and the components analyzed to determine the manufacture and date of the inks’ introduction to the market. Because of the physical removal of the ink from the paper (by micro-punches), it is considered a destructive process. However, ink chemists are careful to take the necessary samples and usually leave an ample amount of ink for a subsequent examination by an opposing chemist.
A relatively new process to assist in determining if a ‘self serving’ entry was added to a document, is an analysis of the evaporation rate of ink. Ink recently placed on paper will have a higher evaporation rate than ink placed on the same page several months or years prior.
The majority of document examiners do not have the sophisticated laboratory equipment to date ink but will be able to provide the name of a reputable chemist.
In addition to the financial losses caused by stolen credit card information, significant losses occur through common signature forgeries. The most common type of signature forgery is a freehand simulation; the simple process of writing the signature of another to resemble that person’s genuine signature. Of course, tracings and “cut and paste” processes are common as well.
Most adults do not intentionally change their signature style although document examiners note many signatures that are prone to being successfully simulated. Signatures more easily imitated are those that are abbreviated or of a simplified style. A complex, fluently written signature minimizes the opportunity for someone to successfully simulate it.
Of interest, there are pens marketed that offer the owner’s DNA profile. Using the pen to sign documents of significance would allow subsequent verification the signature was genuine or not. Obviously, it would be prudent for the owner not to lend it or lose it.
For the past year, mortgage fraud has received much attention in the media. As a handwriting expert, I have examined many mortgage applications. In one aggravated case, I confirmed mortgage applicants had not signed documents having their financial qualifications “enhanced” to qualify for the loan. Undoubtedly, many other document examiners have had similar cases submitted to them. Regardless of the document, mortgage application, contract, will, etc., the same methodology is used to determine if the signature at issue is genuine or not.
A properly equipped laboratory will have a a variety of instruments to use during examinations. One that is particularly useful, is the Video Spectral Comparator (VSC), that allows an examiner to compare inks. The VSC relies mainly upon the use of the infrared light spectrum, but has several other useful features. Although inks may visually appear the same to the human eye, differences are often vividly seen when the inks are subjected to the near infrared portion of light waves. The VSC is commonly used to examine alleged alterations of dollar amounts, ledger entries, medical records, etc. It may also be very useful resolving obliteration problems; the over-writing of text or numerals.
An unfortunate reality of a private document examiner’s work, is the number of contested will cases received. Without question, there are more will related cases submitted than other types of documents such as contracts, medical records, anonymous notes, etc. It is unfortunate to see the relationship of family members suffer because of a suspected alteration or fabrication of a will.
Document examiners always prefer to have the original will for examination. The provision of the original will may be difficult or impossible because it may be in a court file, in possession of the opposing party, purportedly destroyed, etc. If possible, provide the original, or authorize the examiner to travel to the location where the original is located, for the examination.
If the original is unavailable, provide the examiner with the best copy you have.
Provide as many known signature specimens of the decedent as possible, preferably originals and dated close to the date of the will signature. Work with a document examiner to make the signature comparison as successful as possible.
Although commonly overlooked, indented writing may be of significant value in resolving questioned document issues. As the term implies, indented writing is the non-visible indentations applied to a sheet of paper positioned below the page actually written upon.
The indentations may be made visible by rubbing with a crayon or the side of a pencil lead, however, it is a destructive process.
Document examiners rely upon a specialized laboratory instrument to recover indented writing. The process is non-destructive, leaving no marks on the document. An image is produced providing tangible evidence of the continuity, or non-continuity, of entries made in a journal, medical record, accounting book, etc.
A qualified document examiner will have the instrumentation and knowledge of techniques to use that are appropriate to a variety of document issues.
Document examiners are commonly asked if photocopies may be used for a handwriting comparison. They may. However, the preferable form documents are submitted is in the following order: original, photograph, photocopies and, if necessary, microfilm and fax copies. Modern microfilm machines provide a much better quality reproduction than what we were familiar with in the past.
Original documents may provide evidence not reproduced on machine copies. For example, a common form of a fabricated document involves the “cut and paste” process, cutting a genuine signature from one document and pasting it onto the fabricated document. The resulting photocopy will have a genuine signature, implying the person signed the document at issue. The original will not be provided for examination or admitted with an explanation it was “lost” or “misplaced”.
Another reason the original is of value is it may be examined for indentations, pen pressure may be evaluated and optic brighteners of individual pages in the document may be compared.
Take the extra effort to provide your document examiner with the originals, if they are available. It will make their task easier and produce better results.
Commonly, when a document is called into question the signature becomes the focus of attention. Document examiners conduct signature comparisons, but also look for other evidence on the document. To assist with this process, specialized laboratory instruments are used. For example, there may be indentations of value on a contract, will or medical record. As a person writes, the indentations of the writing are commonly found on the following page(s). A lab instrument is used to recover indentations and make them visible. It is useful in not only learning what the indented text was but may also help in establishing if a document is consistent with the dating sequence.
Another instrument used in the profession is a Video Spectral Comparator (VSC). It serves to show differences in ink formula’s. Although two inks may react similarly with the VSC, it cannot conclusively determine they are the same ink. Typical cases involve altered medical records, altered contracts, wills, checks, etc. The instrument is also effective in resolving obliterated writing cases and to authenticate security documents.
Rely on a document examiner to use a multi-faceted approach in the examination of your questioned document.
