Questioned Document Research Articles

A journey into the innovations and expertise of Dubai police and the general department of forensic science and criminology

This manuscript offers an in-depth exploration of the Dubai Police and its General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, emphasizing their critical role in law enforcement through advanced forensic science and innovative practices. Beginning with a historical overview, it traces the evolution of forensic disciplines from Edmond Locard's foundational principles to Sir Alec Jeffreys' groundbreaking DNA profiling techniques. The manuscript details the structure and functions of specialized sections within the department, including Biology and DNA, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Toxicology, Firearms and Tool Marks, Questioned Documents, Forensic Explosive, Forensic Fire Investigation, Forensic and Mechanical Engineering, and Nuclear Physics. Key achievements, such as the Biology and DNA Section's processing of thousands of cases and the generation of highly discriminating DNA profiles, are highlighted. The manuscript also addresses the department's challenges, including the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing complexity of crimes. Future plans to enhance capabilities through investment in new technologies, international collaboration, and continuous professional development are outlined. By showcasing the department's commitment to innovation, excellence, and public safety, this manuscript underscores the pivotal contributions of the Dubai Police and its forensic department to crime resolution and community safety. The insights provided aim to foster a deeper understanding of the critical role of forensic science in the criminal justice system.

The Journey of the Asian Forensic Sciences Network (AFSN) through Fifteen Years

The Asian Forensic Sciences Network was formed in 2008 by a small group of six forensic institutes from six countries in Asia, with the vision to create a common platform for scientists in the region to come together to advance forensic science, raise quality standards, and foster collaboration. Since its inception, the network has experienced remarkable growth, now comprising 70 member institutes from 18 countries across Asia. An Annual Meeting & Symposium, hosted by a member institute each year, serves as a cornerstone event for the network. In addition, the network runs nine technical workgroups covering areas in Crime Scene Investigation, Digital Forensics, DNA, Fingerprint, Forensic Medicine, Illicit Drugs, Questioned Document, Toxicology, and Trace Evidence, alongside a dedicated Quality Assurance and Standards Committee. These workgroups and committee work in tandem with the AFSN Board to formulate strategies aligned with the network’s core objectives. This paper chronicles AFSN’s journey over the past fifteen years, highlighting the pivotal role of the Board and the Workgroups, as well as the dedicated passion and unwavering commitment of the members in shaping the network through numerous activities.

Professional Standards in Questioned Documents Expertises

Criminalistic/forensic expert examination of documents is a segment of criminal technique, i.e. forensic science. In modern countries, these activities are undertaken by highly specialized services that are frequently under the control of various security structures (judiciary, police, immigration services, etc.). In Bosnia and Herzegovina (as well as in the countries of the former Yugoslavia), these jobs have traditionally been associated with police agencies whose actions fall into the sphere of criminal techniques (more recently, forensics). Certain methods of behaving, ways of functioning, as well as processes linked to staff training and ways of acting within individual activities of this sort of expertise, have been formed via the accomplishment of the aforementioned duties. The purpose of this article is to introduce the field of criminal expert examination of questioned documents, namely the knowledge and conditions that a welltrained expert in this field should have. Furthermore, the work demonstrates in greater detail how the necessary insights and knowledge should be gathered. The fundamental reason for this work´s theme is the goal to describe this field from the standpoint of modern science, profession, and established standards that are used around the world. Another motive is the goal to explain the settings of this sector in a scientific and practical manner from the standpoint of international experience. Specifically, the article will examine some of the international standards and procedures for this field of expertise. The preceding study will be based on a survey of comparative literature as well as an examination of the standards and practices of organizations such as: The Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination (SWGDOC), American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE), American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), The American Society of Questioned Document Examiners (ASQDE), Southwestern Association of Forensic Document Examiners (SWAFDE), Southeastern Association of Forensic Document Examiners (SAFDE) and The European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI).

Mirror Writing: Trait of an Unaccustomed Hand

To conceal their identity, writers may try to change the way they write. This will change the way the writing looks and may help the writer to conceal their handwriting. One technique involves switching to the opposite hand; for instance, someone who typically writes with their right hand might switch to writing with their left hand. A very odd type of inconsistency, mirror image writing, has been noticed in this kind of disguised handwriting, which may help identify the use of the unaccustomed hand to carry out the disguise. A thorough examination of the mirror image form of writing was done in the current work. It can be difficult for handwriting experts to determine the authorship of questioned handwriting (in English) written by an unfamiliar hand compared to handwriting samples written by a familiar hand during the Questioned Document Examination. Criminals prefer mirror handwriting for criminal activities such as extortion, defamation, and other such activities through letters or anonymous letters. Samples of both accustomed and unaccustomed hand-writings must be available if unaccustomed handwriting of a suspect(s) is being questioned to form an opinion. If only one hand (the accustomed handwriting) is present, it can be challenging to form an opinion. Handwriting samples from 50 right-handed people with both accustomed and unaccustomed hands were gathered and analyzed to assess the possibilities and limitations for identification of unaccustomed handwriting of the English language. This report focuses on the similarities between the writing styles of the authors, written in English with both an unfamiliar and familiar hand.

Qsign Comparator Ex Tool for Handwriting Characteristics Analysis

The activation of electronic signature commences a new interest in handwriting examination in the field of forensic discipline and the criminal justice community. The study was designed to develop a tool that is more available and usable to the students or trainees in Forensic Questioned Document Examination. Waterfall software development methodology was used in this study which consists of several phases such as requirement, design, implementation, verification and maintenance. This Handwriting Analysis Tool enables the users to experience its features through web browser. Several significant features of this tool are the following; actual signature comparison, navigation, characteristics labelling, snapshot and the over-all conclusion of the examination. This effort may increase the technical competency of the students in a specific handwriting examination.

Investigating the challenges of Criminology students in the course of Forensic Questioned Document Examination.

The sudden swift away from classrooms due to the pandemic outbreak, students and faculty members had greatly challenged in the lectures, practical examination of documents presentation of examined signatures and submissions of specimens used in signature and document comparison. This qualitative research used thematic analysis in describing the challenges among the third-year students who were enrolled in Forensic Questioned Documents Examination at the Data Center College of the Philippines. The researcher found out several themes under the category of lectures which includes: Accessibility of recorded discussion and limited lecture time while in the Assessment this includes: themes of multiple online platforms and platform interruptions and lastly, as to Laboratory activity, themes were identified as development and reliability of specimens, quality resolution of uploaded standard specimen and self-study in which it was attributed to the problems encountered by the students in the course of Forensic Questioned Document Examination. Hence, the result of the study implied that creation of a system with specialized features intended for signature/handwriting comparison is highly encouraged.

Investigating the Possibility of Determining the Sequence Intersecting Lines between LaserJet Printing and Handwriting in Document Examination using Color Measurement Technique

In Questioned Documents Examination, the sequence of crossing lines in the intersection of handwriting and printed area can be important clues for detecting tampered documents. Recognition of such documents is a arduous task and requires people with experience and expertise. In the present work, we investigated the possibility of determining the sequence of intersecting lines between LaserJet printing and handwriting for a series of simulated laboratory specimens in the document examination using color measurement technique. The spectral reflectance curves and color coordinates of some points on and out of the cross lines were compared. Four different commercial ballpoint pens and a black toner LaserJet were used to prepare the specimens. The color change of the intersecting lines was subjectively considered through the captured images and a visual assessment process. It was also objectively determined by determining the color difference values from the colorimetric data in CIELAB and CIELCH color spaces in the visible range. The color change evaluation showed that the order in which printing or handwriting is applied alters colorimetric results. Moreover, the investigations showed small color difference values of less than 2 units between a point of printed area individually, and intersection could be applied as a tolerance limit for pass/fail judgments.

PLS-DA and infrared spectroscopy based rapid and non-destructive discrimination of black ball and gel pen inks for forensic application

In the Questioned Document, the examination of ink is crucial scientific evidence to discern the difference between genuine and forged documents. The document examination which is examined by physical and chemical analysis of ink involves the matching of the source of writing material used to fabricate the document of ink. In this study, fifty black ink samples (25 ball-point and 25 gel-point pens) are used. These ink samples are analyzed with Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy conjoined with chemometric method i.e. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and PLS-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). The spectroscopic discrimination is determined by the absence or presence of particular peaks or bands in the fingerprint region of black ink samples. The first-order derivative graphs are used for spectral characterization of ink samples. PCA reduces the dimensionality of large datasets into small number of independent Principal Components and increases interpretability but at the same time minimizes the data information loss. The utilization of the PLS-DA algorithm gives 100 % accuracy to differentiate two classes of black ink samples. The ROC curve value of the PLS-Discrimination Analysis model is 1 which means 100 % sensitivity and specificity. This non-destructive study is an analytical approach that helped to maintain the spectral library based on spectroscopic results of all fifty samples. The adequacy of the PLS-Discrimination Analysis model is checked by running a blind test of ten unknown samples.

Study of Color Laser Printer and Photocopier Class Using a Pattern Location Measurement Method.

A trace code pattern location measurement approach is proposed. It includes a method that can precisely extract the trace code pattern to identify the color laser printer or photocopier class. In this study, we collected 379 samples from 15 brands, including 129 models and 196 printers or photocopiers. The trace code pattern class is identified. Four class characteristics are used to identify the print source: (i) the relation between the pattern and print output direction; (ii) observation of the shape features from among the trace code pattern units; (iii) the feature arrangement from among the trace code pattern units; and (iv) the arrangement relation of the trace code pattern. Blind testing shows that the accuracy of the proposed method is approximately 96.9% for the Questioned Document Examiners, and 84.3% in the non-Questioned Document Examiners. It is thus an effective technique for determining a print's color laser printer or photocopier source class.

Indentation recovery threshold using the Electrostatic Detection Apparatus®

ABSTRACTThe Electrostatic Detection Apparatus® (ESDA) is an instrument employing techniques used by Questioned Document Examiners (QDE) for the development of indented impressions. It has been reported that impressions can be recovered from between three and five sheets beneath the original writing; however, there have been limited studies on the impact of paper type in this process. In this experiment, paper densities ranging from 54–170 g/m2 were examined and evaluated using a standard ESDA® protocol. Paper density affects both the quality and the depth at which an underlying impression can be visualized by electrostatic methods (between one and five sheets). Knowing the paper density could aid QDE in the effective examination of documents for impressions.

Forensic Discrimination Potential of Video Spectral Comparator and Micro Spectrophotometer in Analyzing Question Document and Fraud Cases in India

The aim of the study was to evaluate the discriminating power of non-destructive methods, including optical methods likes the Video spectral comparator method (VSC) and Micro spectrophotometer (MSP) used to differentiate ballpoint pen ink which is commonly used in question document and fraud cases in India. Documents have been investigated to determine the feasibility of utilizing the Video spectral comparator method (VSC) and Micro spectrophotometer (MSP) for the differentiation and comparison of inks on paper. The work focused on how to develop the most effective procedure to ensure quality, when Micro spectrophotometer is used to differentiate writing materials by characteristics color scan of each ink. Six different commercially available blue ballpoint pen inks produced from most popular pens in Indian Market which were used as research material. We have studied most selling pens in Indian market (Reynolds, Parker, and Lexis 2 types, Cello griper and local made pen) for overwriting, alternation and modification of ballpoint pen ink on documents. These pens are generally used on questioned document in forensic discrimination cases and these questioned documents cases received by forensic science laboratories regularly. In forensic discrimination cases generally initial writing is overwritten by using other ink and to identify which ink was used to overwrite is challenging task in field of forensic science. The present study highlighted that the Video Spectral Comparator method (VSC) and Micro spectrophotometer (MSP) can be used routinely in such types of document cases and it has demonstrated to be an excellent analytical method for the forensic analysis of inks on a questioned document.

Forensic Application of Atomic Force Microscopy ― Questioned Document

AbstractAs the field of nanotechnology develops several material and structure in nano‐scale has become part of our daily life. By the steady improvement of current nanotechnology and detection methods, scientific discovery can progress considerably in the long run. Recently, these precise detecting methods have caught the eyes of forensic circle around the world. One of the most notable is atomic force microscopy (AFM), which performs imaging based on the interactive force between the probe and the sample surface. Compared to other optical microscopy, in the area of detecting surface on nano‐scale, AFM demonstrates several advantages such as its non‐destructive nature and its ability to produce high resolution images and detect different properties of a sample (height, viscoelasticity, and electromagnetism). In Taiwan, this area still remains untouched, although many notable applications of this technique have been reported. This report follows the developments mentioned above, utilizes the advantages of AFM, progressing the first step in analyzing forensic exhibits. It is our hope that AFM will become a new detection method in the domestic forensic area, and allow us to keep up with international developments.

Molecular Imaging of Banknote and Questioned Document Using Solvent-Free Gold Nanoparticle-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Direct chemical analysis and molecular imaging of questioned documents in a non/minimal-destructive manner is important in forensic science. Here, we demonstrate that solvent-free gold-nanoparticle-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry is a sensitive and minimal destructive method for direct detection and imaging of ink and visible and/or fluorescent dyes printed on banknotes or written on questioned documents. Argon ion sputtering of a gold foil allows homogeneous coating of a thin layer of gold nanoparticles on banknotes and checks in a dry state without delocalizing spatial distributions of the analytes. Upon N(2) laser irradiation of the gold nanoparticle-coated banknotes or checks, abundant ions are desorbed and detected. Recording the spatial distributions of the ions can reveal the molecular images of visible and fluorescent ink printed on banknotes and determine the printing order of different ink which may be useful in differentiating real banknotes from fakes. The method can also be applied to identify forged parts in questioned documents, such as number/writing alteration on a check, by tracing different writing patterns that come from different pens.

Infrared Spectrometry in Discriminant Analysis of Laser Printer and Photocopy Toner on Questioned Documents

Differentiating between black powder toners used in laser printers and copiers can be challenging for forensic examiners. One hundred and eight samples from different types of cartridges produced by 10 manufacturers were studied using reflection-absorption infrared microscopy (R-A IR). The grouping of copy toners into distinguishable classes, achieved by visual comparison and computer-assisted spectral matching, was compared to that achieved by multivariate discriminant analysis. The FTIR spectra were classified into 15 groups. This classification served as a basis for the development of an analytical scheme for differentiating black powder toners. Obtained spectra and all the available information could be used to create a database. The results obtained confirm the multiplicity and compatibility of toners.

Infrared Spectroscopy in Qualitative Analysis of Laser Printer and Photocopy Toner on Questioned Documents

A study was undertaken to examine the possibility of qualitative analysis of photocopy and laser printers toners by three different microscopic infrared spectrometry techniques: Diffuse Reflectance (DRIFTS), microscopic Attenuated Total Reflectance (μATR), and microscopic Reflection-Absorption (μRA), respectively, with a variety of reflecting media including mirrored slides, low emissive glass, or aluminum foil. Selection of the analysis technique can be made based on equipment availability, ease of sample preparation, speed of analysis, and importance of the original document to determine if a mildly destructive technique can be used.

Diary of an Astronaut: Examination of the Remains of the Late Israeli Astronaut Colonel Ilan Ramon's Crew Notebook Recovered After the Loss of NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia*

Two months after the fatal re-entering into the Earth's atmosphere of Columbia flight STS-107, the remains of Israeli astronaut Colonel Ilan Ramon's Crew Notebook were found strewn in a field in San Augustine County, TX. The random pile of papers was found to have survived the calamity of the Shuttle's disintegration remarkably well. Most of the papers recovered were torn and/or washed out to varying degrees but only mildly charred around the edges. The sheets of paper could be categorized into four groups: Group I: eight sides of paper written while in space in black ink and in pencil--Ramon's personal diary; the writing on these eight sides of paper survived well and is only missing where the pages were torn. Small fragments found in the field were physically matched to holes in the pages thus locating their original positions in the text. Group II: six sides of technical preparation notes written by Ramon before the mission. The writing on these pages was washed out entirely, but much of it was visualized using infrared luminescence. Group III: eight sides of personal notes prepared by Ramon before the mission written in blue ink. The writing on these pages was barely visible to the naked eye and not visualized by infrared luminescence, but was made largely legible by digital enhancement imaging. Group IV: a few sides of printed technical information. These pages were mostly intact and were not examined at length as they contained standard printed material. After completion of examinations at the Questioned Document Laboratory of the Israel Police, the diary was transferred to the Paper Conservation Department of the Israel Museum for preservation and strengthening treatments.

The Effects of Latent Print Processing on Questioned Documents Produced by Office Machine Systems Utilizing Inkjet Technology and Toner

Counterfeiting of currency and identity documents, death threats, illegitimate business transactions, and terrorist-related activities are some examples of the types of crimes that often involve documents produced from printers and copiers. Although standard protocol typically requires a questioned document (QD) examination prior to latent print (LP) processing, occasionally, items of evidence may be submitted for a QD examination following the application of a series chemicals utilized in the development of latent fingerprints. In such cases, the forensic examiner must take into account any previous treatments prior to initiating an examination on documents produced with a printer or copier. This study was devised to examine the effects of a latent print development technique [ninhydrin, physical developer, and a bleach enhancer] on the physical and chemical examination of documents produced from copiers and printers.

Review of: Questioned Documents: A Lawyer's Handbook

Abstract The author has a diverse background in document examination with proficiency in English, Hebrew, and Arabic alphabets. Working with the Israel police has given him a familiarity with other writing systems from all over the world, and judging by his reference citations, his multi-lingual abilities extend to French, German, and Spanish as well.

Investigation of Death Through Body Writing: A Case Study

Various surfaces or substrates are often encountered in the examination of questioned writing; however, no writing is more interesting than that found on the human body nor more challenging when the writing in question is linked to a death investigation. The body of an 18-year-old male was brought to the State Crime Laboratory, Little Rock, Arkansas, with a gunshot wound to the head and several messages written on his arms and chest. This paper will discuss the examination of evidence used to determine the manner of death through a cooperative effort between the Medical Examiner's Section and the Questioned Document Section of the Crime Laboratory.

Inconclusive Opinions: Refuge of the Questioned Document Examiner

Abstract Document examiners are frequently accused of abdicating their responsibility by too often declaring that they can neither identify nor eliminate an individual as the author of the questioned handwriting. It is the author's contention that characteristics of handwriting comparisons often thwart one's ability to form specific conclusions for the following reasons: 1. Handwriting comparisons usually consist of open sets rather than closed sets. In closed sets, it is known that a match exists and the only requirement is to select the proper one. In open sets, it is not known if a match exists and a more stringent standard of accountability is required. 2. The quality and quantity of the evidence may be inadequate. 3. The process of elimination of possible writers frequently is not amenable to definitive conclusions. The lack of similarity between the questioned and known samples is not a sufficient basis for concluding that they came from different sources.