From the Desk of Jim Green

Instrumentation

admin — Sat, 08 May 2010 00:35:02 +0000

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.

Contested Wills and Trusts

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:56:04 +0000

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.

Indented Writing

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:26:19 +0000

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.

Originals vs. Photocopies

admin — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:49:43 +0000

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.

Signature comparisons; one part of document examinations

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:24:14 +0000

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.