Forensic Science Unit Two Text Questions Essay

1. What is a questioned document? Describe at least one example of something that might be a questioned document. – A questioned document is when a handwritten or any other type written document is questioned by its authenticity. A great example would be a passport. 2. What is an exemplar? What are the best types of exemplars? -Exemplars are samples that are authentic that are compared with the document that’s questioned. 3. What are natural variations? Describe how these may happen. -They are small differences that appear repeated samples of someones handwriting. Overtime our handwriting changes because every time we write something our hand changes the way we write. 4. How are stamped signatures different from written signatures? -Stamped signatures are always the same and written signatures change every time that you write them. 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. Some of the typescript machines are called the Daisy Wheel Printer and the Dox Matrix Printer. A Daisy Wheel Printer is very similar to a ball-head typerwriter. They may look for a disc which is either made up of Plastic or Metal, thats where characters stand out. 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? – Questioned Documents are important in Forensic Science because it can help figure out if a signature is Forged or not. For example if somebody steals money through a check, they can check the signature and see if the signature is forged or not which will help know if the check is real or not. 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? – Some of the ways that a documented examiner might try to match a  questioned document to a specific typewriter would be to match the handwriting,they could also look at different changes made in the handwriting. 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 examine the signature and get a hold of any papers that were signed by the same person and see how many similarities they have and how many differences they have. I would examine every little change that happens. 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 examine the handwriting and I would also use a Daisy Wheel Printer to figure out all of the information. 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? – What the agent did wrong is that he made him write it two or more times because every time that he writes it over again the handwriting changes. What he did do write was make him write everything he says as he dictates the information to the suspect. That way they can see whether the handwriting matches it or not.