What Is A Questioned Document?

1. What is a questioned document? Describe at least one example of something that might be a questioned document. A questioned document is any document with handwriting or typed writing that is questioned to its authenticity. One example would be a letter that was written from the suspect or anybody. 2. What is an exemplar? What are the best types of exemplars?

An exemplar is an authentic sample that is compared to the questioned document. The best ones are the ones that are most similar to the questioned document.

3. What are natural variations? Describe how these may happen.

Natural variations are small differences that show up in handwriting. For example, if someone were to trace a signature, some of the letters might have letters that do not match with the handwritings

4. How are stamped signatures different from written signatures?

Stamped signitures are stamped while written signitures are written. 5. What are some of the typescript machines that document examiners may have to investigate? Choose one of these machines and describe what document examiners may look for when comparing the machine to a questioned document.

Critical Thinking Questions
1. Why are questioned documents important in forensic science? What is one example of a situation where a questioned document might be an important part of a criminal case?

They are important because they can be clues in solving a crime. An example could be a will.

2. What are some of the ways that a document examiner might try to match a questioned document to a specific typewriter? What aspects might they look at?

Type writers have small things that desquienish them from others. They may look at how they write one letter compared to others.

3. Imagine that you have been asked to determine whether a signature on a check is authentic or a forgery. What steps would you take in doing this? What aspects would you examine?

I would first find an authnic version of the persons signature. Then check the two for small differences such as how they write certain letters to others.

4. Imagine that you have been asked to determine whether a will written fifty years ago is authentic or a modern-day forgery. How would you go about doing this? What aspects would you examine to help you make your determination?

I would test the ink to see what is in it. Also I would check the age of the paper. You can see a noticeable difference in the two im sure. 5. A law enforcement agent is in charge of getting a writing sample from an uncooperative suspect. The agent puts the suspect in a comfortable room and has the person choose from a bunch of pencils and ink pens. The agent takes the questioned document and dictates the information to the suspect, having the suspect write down what she says as she reads from the questioned document. After several paragraphs, the agent stops and has the suspect rewrite the material two more times. What did the agent do wrong in this situation? What did the agent do right?