TOOLS,

TECHNIQUES
AND
PROCEDURES
Techniques Used in the Examination of
Questioned Documents
The Philippine National Police Questioned Documents
Examination Division (PNP-QDED) employs a variety of
techniques in the examination of questioned documents. Some of
the techniques used by PNP-QDED include:

1. Microscopic examination- This involves the use of a

microscope to examine the questioned document for any
alterations, erasures, or obliterations. The examiner can also use
this technique to examine the paper fibers, ink quality, and other
physical characteristics of the document.

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2. Transmitted Light Examination- to determine the presence of
erasures, matching of serration and some other types of alteration

3. Oblique Light Examination-it is used for the decipherment of

faded handwriting, determination of outlines in traced forgery and
embossed impressions.

4. Photographic Examination-it is essential in every document

examination. Actual observations are recorded in the photograph.

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5. Ultraviolet and Infrared light examination- Ultraviolet and
infrared lights are used to examine the questioned document for
any hidden or altered details. In some cases, invisible inks may
also be revealed using these lights.

6. Electrostatic detection- This technique is used to detect the

presence of indented impressions on a questioned document. The
examiner uses a device that produces a static electric charge, which
can reveal any impressions left by writing on the page above the
document.

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7. Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)-it is used in the examination of
masked or obliterated text, watermarks, visible fluorescence, paper
fluorescence and oblique illumination of indented writing and embossing.
It detects variation if the infrared characteristics of inks and reveals
alterations be eliminating interfering background luminescence.

8. Preparation of Court Exhibits- After the document examiner has

completed his examination and the laboratory report has been submitted,
he/she prepares the photographic exhibits for court demonstration and
illustration.

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1 Procedures in
Examining
Questioned
Documents
• Document acquisition- This involves obtaining the questioned document from
the concerned parties or from a crime scene, ensuring it is preserved and handled
appropriately to avoid any damage or alteration.

• Preliminary examination- The document is subjected to a visual inspection for

any obvious signs of alteration, such as erasures or obliterations.

• Analysis- The document is subjected to various tests and analysis, which may
include microscopic examination, ultraviolet and infrared light examination,
electrostatic detection, and chemical analysis. Handwriting analysis and forensic
photography may also be used to examine the document.

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• Comparison- The questioned document is compared to known standards or
exemplars, such as other documents from the same author or typewriter, to
determine if they match.

• Interpretation- The results of the analysis and comparison are interpreted to

draw conclusions about the document and its authenticity.

• Reporting- All observations, tests, and analysis must be documented in a

detailed report, which is then presented as evidence in court.

 The examiner must document all observations, tests, and analysis in a detailed
report, which is then presented as evidence in court. It is important to follow
standard procedures and guidelines to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the
examination results.

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THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE PERFORMED, NOTED AND
RECORDED WHEN APPLICABLE:
1. Determine whether the examination is a comparison of questioned handwriting
to known writing or a comparison of questioned writing to questioned writing;

2. Determine whether the questioned writing is original writing;

3. Determine whether or not the questioned writing is original writing appears to be

distorted;

4. Determine whether or not the known writing is original writing;

5. Determine whether or not the known writing to be distorted;

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THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE PERFORMED, NOTED AND
RECORDED WHEN APPLICABLE:

7. Evaluate the known writing for the following:

 type of writing-if there is more than one type of writing within the known
writing, separate the known writing into subsets of single type of writing.

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THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE PERFORMED, NOTED AND
RECORDED WHEN APPLICABLE:

7. Evaluate the known writing for the following:

 Internal consistency-if there are unsolved inconsistencies within any of the

subsets created above (e.g., when it is suggestive of multiple writers), contact the
contributor for authentication. If the inconsistency remains unsolved, discontinue
the procedure for the affected subsets and report accordingly.

 Range of variations of the writing for each subset of the questioned and standard
writing created in the type of writing and internal consistency.

 Presence or absence of individualizing characteristics.

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THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE PERFORMED, NOTED AND
RECORDED WHEN APPLICABLE:

8. EVALUATE THE COMPARABILITY OF THE BODIES OF WRITING.

9. CONDUCT A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF COMPARABLE PORTIONS

OF THE BODIES OF WRITING (QUESTIONED WRITING AND KNOWN
WRITING OR EXCLUSIVELY QUESTIONED WRITING) USING APPROPRIATE
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS.

10. DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE DISSIMILARITIES, ABSENT

CHARACTERISTICS AND SIMILARITIES.

11. EVALUATE THE SIGNIFICANCE INIDIVIDUALLY AND IN

COMBINATION.
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THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE PERFORMED, NOTED AND
RECORDED WHEN APPLICABLE:

12. AFTER EXAMINING THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, THEY ARE

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR PRESERVATION AND FURTHER EXAMINATION ON
THE ENLARGED PHOTOGRAPH. THESE ENLARGED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL
BE USED FOR COURT PRESENTATION.

13. REACH A CONCLUSION.

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2
Instruments and
Equipment in
Forensic Document
Examination
1. OPTICAL AID- Microscopes -is an
optical instrument that consists of a
combination of lenses that allows the user to
view a magnified image of a small object
(BRENNER, 2004)
-Forensic document examiners use
microscopes to examine the details of
documents such as paper fibers, ink lines, and
handwriting features. These microscopes can
be either stereo or compound microscopes.

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 the magnifying glass or hand lens is
the simplest microscope.

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 a stereo or stereoscopic microscope is an
instrument for blending into one image two
pictures of an object from slightly different
points of view so as to produce upon the
eye the impression of relief and solidity
and a three-dimensional viewing (Brenner,
2004)

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 the most important and the commonly used
equipment in forensic document examination. it
offers between 10 and 50 power that includes both
incident and transmitted illumination. power refers to
the amount of magnification the microscope
provides (2 power=200% enlargement). this type of
microscope provides a magnified three-dimensional
image that assists the viewer in the study of pressure
patterns, crossed lines, erasures, indentions, writing
over folds, and similar problems

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2. MEASURING DEVICES
-rulers, gauges, grids, and other accurate measuring devices are important
for document examiners to obtain precise measurements.
-the typewriting test plate is used to detect any abnormal horizontal or
vertical alignment of typewritten characters. Ten characters per inch (cpi) is
called pica and 12 cpi are known as elite.
-the protractor measures angles and is also called a handwriting slope
instrument. other test plates include the letter slant or handwriting
comparison test plate and the types angle measurement.

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3. DUPLICATING DEVICES
Forensic document examiners need camera equipment for
clear close-up photographs of original documents. These
photographs are useful in studying documents in place of the
writing and the reasons for conclusions more clearly than by
looking at the original documents.

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2. Proper Lighting : Different
light sources are used to examine
documents and to identify
alterations, obliterations, or
erasures. These include ultraviolet
(UV) light sources, infrared (IR)
light sources, and visible light
sources.

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2. Proper lighting :
In addition to daylight, various types and
intensity of lighting fixtures is crucial for
critical examinations in a document
laboratory. Different types of lights can
reveal subtle details essential for
revealing flaws and stains on documents.
Some examinations also require special
lighting effects.

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2. Proper lighting :
Transmitted light is light that is passed through the
transparent or translucent medium. It is used in the
examination of documents to determine the presence of
erasures, matching of serration, and some other types of
alteration.

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5. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
-When documents are illuminated by
ultraviolet light, certain inks and
papers will glow, making them visible
to the naked eye in an otherwise
darkened room. The ultraviolet light
machine is used to detect mechanical
and chemical erasures which certainly
change the reflectivity and
fluorescence of the affected area.

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5. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT

A comparator is a device for comparing a

measurable property or thing with a reference or
standard. A video spectral comparator consist of
a camera, monitor, various light sources and
filters for exciting radiation and reflected or
fluorescent light, an image integrator and
comparator, and a video recorder. It uses a
variety of lighting conditions to differentiate inks
and paper on a document placed in the cabinet.

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5. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
Video Spectral Comparators include the
VSC-1, VSC-2CX, VSC-4CX, which are
designed to detect the different optical
properties of document materials. They
are used in the examination of masked or
obliterated text and watermark. They can
also be used in exposed oblique
illumination of indented writing, dry
stamps, embossed features and intaglio
script.

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5. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT

VSC testing is non-destructive and does

not alter the appearance or condition of a
document. This is particularly effective in
detecting alterations to documents;
restoring erased entries; revealing original
writing that has been obliterated, obscured
or overwritten; and differentiating inks
that cannot otherwise be distinguished by
the naked eye.

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5. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT

VSC-1 and VSC-2CX can easily detect when

inks from different writing instruments are
used in a document because the inks react
differently when illuminated with ultraviolet
and infrared light,
VSC-4CX is a portable instrument that can be
taken outside the laboratory to examine
documents in law offices, court rooms or other
off-site locations.

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5. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus
(ESDA): ESDA is a device that uses
electrostatic charge to reveal impressions on
paper that may not be visible to the naked
eye. This is particularly useful in examining
documents that have been altered, erased or
obliterated.

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5. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
A microfiche is a flat piece of microfilm on
which many pages of printed material have
been photographed for storage in miniaturized
form. The microfiche is placed under the lens of
a micro fitche machine or microfiche machine
to enlarge the image from 24 to 48 times.
Signatures and handwritings can also ne
photographed for larger and clearer images.

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6. OTHERS: Chemical Analysis
Equipment: Chemical analysis
equipment such as chromatography,
spectrometry, and microscopy may be
used to analyze the ink, paper, or other
materials present in the document.

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7. PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
Document examiner also need portable equipment such as
transportable microscope or the portable VSC-4CX because some
documents cannot be released for examination and must be examined
at their location.

8. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Forensic document examiners also use protective equipment like
cotton gloves to handle original documents in cases in which
fingerprints may be an issue. A fireproof safe or file box is also useful
to store and protect original documents from harm.

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3
Photography in
Forensic Document
Examination
 Photography in forensic document examination refers to the use of
photographic techniques and tools to document, analyze, and
compare documents for the purposes of determining their
authenticity and detecting signs of forgery or alteration. Forensic
document examiners may use photography to capture images of
documents, including close-up images of specific features such as
handwriting, paper texture, and ink quality. These images can then
be analyzed using specialized software and techniques to aid in the
examination and comparison of documents.

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PHOTOGRAPHY IN FORENSIC DOCUMENT
EXAMINATION
ALBERT OSBORN, Highlights the value of reproducing
questioned documents because it provides unlimited
opportunity for study, comparison and investigation by any
number of examiners, which would not be possible by using
the original document alone. “Photographs often make clear
what otherwise may be hidden or indistinct, and this fact
alone is sufficient reason for their use” (Osborn, 1929)

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 Photography in forensic document examination plays a
critical role in providing visual evidence and assisting
examiners in identifying important details that may not
be visible to the naked eye. It is an essential tool in the
field of forensic document examination, helping to
ensure the accuracy and integrity of legal documents
and evidence.

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 3 Main Functions in Forensic
Document Examination
1. To make a permanent record of the
document before it is damaged;
2. To detect certain features that are
not visible and for which other
methods are unavailable;
3. To prepare material for
demonstration in courts

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Thank you!

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