Questioned documents refer to any object containing handwritten, typewritten, or printed markings whose source or authenticity is doubtful. These documents include various legal and social documents like letters, cheques, receipts, wills, passports, driving licenses, account books, bills, contracts, money order forms, sale deeds, lottery tickets, etc. Such documents can be crucial evidence in various legal cases, and their authenticity and accuracy are paramount. Therefore, careful handling and preservation are essential to maintain the value of the document and ensure that it remains a reliable source of information.
Guidelines for Handling Questioned Documents
It is necessary to follow specific guidelines to prevent any damage or alteration to the document to dispatch a questioned document for expert examination. These guidelines include the following:
- Refrain from handling the document with bare hands, as it can get soiled or contaminated, and the contents may get destroyed.
- Retain the document in a transparent envelope to facilitate viewing without handling.
- The document should not be folded along new lines, carried in a pocket, or exposed to intense light, heat, or humidity.
- It should not be treated with any chemical for any purpose whatsoever. Indeed, if the expert requires the original document, it should be preserved in its original form.
- Portions of the document to be examined should be encircled with a colored pen and not be traced, pinned, cut, labeled, or torn.
- An identification mark should be placed on the document at an inconspicuous place so that questioned writing is not disturbed.
- To send the document to the expert, please use a designated messenger and include a forwarding letter that lists all the dispatched documents with their identifying marks.
Handwriting Identification – The Most Important Branch of Questioned Documents
Handwriting identification is one of the essential branches of questioned documents. It involves the analysis of the unique characteristics of an individual’s handwriting to determine the authorship of a questioned document. Handwriting is an acquired art, and its individuality is due to mental and muscular deviations that result in a nerve-muscle response pattern. The handwriting characteristic of an individual is the product of several factors, including the system of writing originally learned, the experience and use of the hand over a while, and the presence or absence of physical abnormalities or defects developed from illness, injury, or psychological variations.
Factors Affecting Handwriting
Various factors can affect handwriting, including writing materials, physical or psychological disturbances, age, and natural variations. Writing materials like paper, pen, ink, pencil, or writing support can contribute to variations in handwriting. Physical or psychological disturbances such as illness, fear, pain, injury to the hands, and the influence of drugs or alcohol can adversely affect writing characteristics. Age can also impact writing characteristics, as some old characteristics are modified or dropped, and a few new characteristics are acquired. It is usual for handwriting to have slight differences in how the letters are formed, the size, proportion, slant, and the way they are combined. These variations are considered natural.
Principles of Handwriting Identification
In a problem involving the authorship of handwriting, the characteristics of the known and questioned documents are examined and compared. No handwriting characteristic can be used as the basis for a favorable comparison. To determine identity or non-identity, reaching many shared characteristics between the known and questioned writing is necessary. By understanding the principles and factors affecting handwriting, experts can determine the authorship of a questioned document with greater accuracy and reliability.
Conclusion
Questioned documents play a crucial role in various legal and social settings, and their authenticity and accuracy are paramount. Proper care, handling, and preservation of these documents are essential to maintain their value and reliability. Handwriting identification is the most critical branch of questioned documents, and it involves a detailed analysis of various factors influencing the writing characteristics. By following the guidelines for handling questioned documents and understanding the principles of handwriting identification, experts can determine the authorship of a questioned document with greater accuracy and reliability.
