Scientific Examination of Documents: Methods and Techniques (3rd Edition)

249 Pages·2005·4.682 MB·English

by  David Ellen

Scientific Examination
of Documents
Methods and Techniques
Third Edition
3925_book.fm Page ii Thursday, August 11, 2005 5:12 PM
INTERNATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE AND INVESTIGATION SERIES
Edited by James Robertson
Forensic Sciences Division, Australian Federal Police
FIREARMS, THE LAW AND FORENSIC BALLISTICS FORENSIC SPEAKER IDENTIFICATION
T A Warlow P Rose
ISBN 0 7484 0432 5 ISBN 0 415 27182 7
1996 2002
SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS: THE PRACTICE OF CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
Methods and Techniques, second edition J Horswell
D Ellen ISBN 0 7484 0609 3
ISBN 0 7484 0580 1 2004
1997
FIRE INVESTIGATION
FORENSIC INVESTIGATION OF EXPLOSIONS N Nic Daéid
A Beveridge ISBN 0 415 24891 4
ISBN 0 7484 0565 8 2004
1998
FINGERPRINTS AND OTHER RIDGE SKIN IMPRESSIONS
FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF HUMAN HAIR C Champod, C J Lennard, P Margot,
J Robertson and M Stoilovic
ISBN 0 7484 0567 4 ISBN 0 415 27175 4
1999 2004
FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF FIBRES FIREARMS, THE LAW AND FORENSIC BALLISTICS
Second edition Second edition
J Robertson and M Grieve Tom Warlow
ISBN 0 7484 0816 9 ISBN 0 415 316014
1999 2004
FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF GLASS AND PAINT:
Analysis and Interpretation
B Candy
ISBN 0 7484 0579 9
2001
I N T E R N AT I O N A L F O R E N S I C S C I E N C E
A N D I N V E S T I G AT I O N S E R I E S
Scientific Examination
of Documents
Methods and Techniques
Third Edition
David Ellen
Boca Raton London New York
A CRC title, part of the Taylor & Francis imprint, a member of the
Taylor & Francis Group, the academic division of T&F Informa plc.
Published in 2006 by
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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© 2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group
No claim to original U.S. Government works
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
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International Standard Book Number-10: 0-8493-3925-1 (Hardcover)
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ellen, David.
The scientific examination of documents : methods and techniques / David Ellen.-- 3rd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8493-3925-1
1. Writing--Identification. 2. Legal documents--Identification. I. Title.
HV8074.E45 2005
363.25'65--dc22 200550637
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PREFACE TO THE THIRD
EDITION
Since the first edition of The Scientific Examination of Documents was
published in 1989, and the second edition in 1997, there have been some
changes in the field of forensic document examination due to advances
both in the introduction or wider use of technology in office machinery
and in the techniques available to the examiner. Most of these are referred
to in this edition and a large number of further papers published in
forensic science journals are listed at the ends of the appropriate chapters.
In accordance with the publisher’s style, American spellings have been
used in this edition.
The object of the book remains, as before, to provide an outline of
the subject to those outside the discipline who have a professional interest
in the subject, but can also be of value to trainees in document exami-
nation. The author wishes to thank those colleagues in England and
Australia who have made constructive suggestions, pointed out errors,
and provided invaluable information, especially Dr. Christopher Davies
and Dr. Steven Strach.
v

CONTENTS
1 Introduction ................................................................................. 1
Scientific Method 1
Analytical Methods 2
Documents 2
Document Examiners 4
Qualifications and Training 5
Objects of This Book 6
Literature on Document Examination 7
Books 7
Journals 7
Research and Development 8
Acknowledgments 9
2 Handwriting: The V ariations Between Nor mal Writings .......11
Introduction 11
Variations in Writing 12
Block Capital Writing 13
Methods of Construction 13
Determination of Pen Movement 15
Ink Lines 16
Striations 17
Proportion of Letters 17
Proportions of Letters within Words 19
Numerals 19
Cursive Writing 19
Development of Cursive Writing 20
Interpersonal Differences 20
Methods of Construction and Proportion of Individual Letters 21
Variations within Words 23
Disconnected Script 23
Signatures 24
Layout 24
vii
viii (cid:2) Scientific Examination of Documents: Methods and Techniques
Variations within the Writings of One Person 25
Use of Different Letter Forms by One Writer 26
Personal and Style Characteristics 26
The Significance of Variations between Writers 27
Spelling Mistakes, Text Analysis, and Other Variables 29
Non-Roman Scripts 29
Classification of Handwritings 30
Pattern Recognition Techniques 31
References .................................................................................. 31
Further Reading ........................................................................ 32
3 Handwriting: Accidental and Deliberate Modification ...........35
Accidental Variation of Handwriting 35
Writing Instruments 36
Writing Position 37
Health of Writer 38
Guided Hand Signatures 39
Drugs and Alcohol 40
Impairment of Vision 40
Deliberate Variation of Handwriting 40
Disguised Writings 41
Difficulties of Disguising Writing 42
Disguised Signatures 43
Simulated Writings 44
Freehand Simulation 45
Slowly Made Simulations 45
Simulations of Poorly Made Signatures 47
Rapidly Made Simulations 47
Traced Signatures 48
Introduction of Features of the Copier 50
References .................................................................................. 51
Further Reading ........................................................................ 51
4 Handwriting: The Purposes and Principles of Scientifi c
Examination .............................................................................. 53
Introduction 53
Amateur Experts 53
Scientific Method 54
Other Aspects of Forensic Science 55
Comparison of Handwriting 56
Consideration of Similarities 56
The Possibility of Chance Match 57
The Possibility of Simulation 57
Subjectivity 58
Identification 59
Contents (cid:2) ix
Qualified Conclusions 59
Limited Populations 60
Consideration of Differences 61
Consistent Differences 61
Other Reasons for Differences 62
Similarities with Differences 63
Disguise 63
Simulation 64
Simulations or Ill Health 66
Traced Writings 66
Identification of the Writer of Simulations 68
Inconclusive Examinations 68
Complexities of Handwriting Comparisons 69
Inconsistent Known Writings 69
Complex Cases 70
Multiple Suspects 71
Reproduced Writing 71
Unfamiliar Scripts 72
Statements 72
Expressing Conclusions 73
Qualified Conclusions 74
Scales of Conclusions 75
Clarity of Expression 76
Quality Assurance 77
References .................................................................................. 77
Further Reading ........................................................................ 77
5 Handwriting: The Collection of Samples ................................ 81
Introduction 81
Known Writings 81
Request Specimens 82
Like with Like 82
Adequate Material 83
Taking of Samples 83
Avoidance of Disguise 84
Samples of Writing of the Copied 85
Course of Business Writings 86
Sources 86
Signatures 87
Verification of Course of Business Writings 88
Request and Course of Business Writings 88
Further Reading ........................................................................ 89
6 Typewriting and T ypescripts ................................................... 91
Introduction 91