The Science Examination of Questioned Document

Description

In forensic science, questioned document examination (QDE) is the examination of documents potentially disputed in a court of law. Its primary purpose is to provide evidence about a suspicious or questionable document using scientific processes and methods. Evidence might include alterations, the chain of possession, damage to the document, forgery, origin, authenticity, or other questions that come up when a document is challenged in court. Forensic document examination or Questioned document examination is a branch of forensic science associated with the examination of documents and its various elements which might be currently or in future be a subject matter of dispute. Forensic Handwriting Examination is also considered to be one of the most versatile fields of investigations as no computer applications till date has been successful in replacing the skill of the expert before conclusion. The field of document examination requires a combined skill of physics, chemistry and biology based on the document problem in specific cases. Document examination covers (but not limited to) forgery, cheque frauds, document and handwriting authenticity, counterfeiting, wills/ contracts/ deeds, suicide notes, ink, writing instrument, paper, paper folds, stamps, type writers, printers, dyes, security features and their various combinations. Today, signatures have assumed great importance and everybody, regardless of the social level in which he lives, must sign his name daily or many times a day. Under these conditions, the question often arises whether a disputed signature is genuine or not. The examination is done to address concerns about potential authorship also presents evidence before the court (expert opinion). The book thoroughly explores the complexities involved in keeping current with these developments and does so, in some instances, aided by the presentation of a variety of documents. This book to all aspects of a questioned document for attorneys, investigators, document examiners, and others covers the scientific examination of questioned documents and also the steps to be taken by field investigators and trial attorneys, as well as the techniques of presenting evidence in court.