CFC Document & Handwriting Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of paper examination can reveal whether pages from different sources were substituted in a multi-page document?
- Watermark comparison
- Fiber analysis using SEM-EDX
- Both watermark comparison and fiber analysis (Correct answer)
- Neither — paper source cannot be determined forensically
Correct answer: Both watermark comparison and fiber analysis
Both watermark comparison and SEM-EDX elemental fiber analysis can detect page substitutions by identifying different paper sources.
Question 2: What does a 'line crossing sequence' examination determine?
- The sequence in which multiple pen strokes were made at intersections (Correct answer)
- The order in which multiple pages were written
- Whether a document was printed before or after signing
- The direction of pen travel across a page
Correct answer: The sequence in which multiple pen strokes were made at intersections
Line crossing sequence analysis determines which of two intersecting strokes was written first by examining ink layering at the intersection.
Question 3: A certified forensic consultant is comparing handwriting samples. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable known standard (exemplar)?
- Collected writing from tax returns
- Requested writing from a suspect under controlled conditions
- Writing found in the suspect's home with unknown origin (Correct answer)
- Bank signature cards completed at account opening
Correct answer: Writing found in the suspect's home with unknown origin
Writing of unknown origin cannot serve as a reliable exemplar because its authorship cannot be independently verified.
Question 4: Which characteristic of handwriting is considered the MOST persistent and difficult for a forger to suppress?
- Letter slant
- Word spacing
- Pen pressure pattern (Correct answer)
- Letter height ratio
Correct answer: Pen pressure pattern
Pen pressure distribution is largely subconscious and controlled by individual grip and muscle memory, making it extremely difficult to alter.
Question 5: In questioned document examination, 'obliteration' refers to:
- Fading of ink over time
- Deliberate covering or destruction of original writing (Correct answer)
- Accidental damage from water or fire
- Removal of a stamp or seal
Correct answer: Deliberate covering or destruction of original writing
Obliteration is the intentional hiding or destruction of original text, often using paint, correction fluid, or heavy overwriting.
Question 6: Which spectroscopic method is most commonly used for non-destructive comparison of ink chemistries on questioned documents?
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Raman spectroscopy (Correct answer)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
- Atomic absorption spectroscopy
Correct answer: Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy provides detailed chemical fingerprints of inks without damaging the document.
Question 7: When a document examiner issues a conclusion of 'probably did write,' this means:
- The evidence strongly suggests common authorship but falls short of certainty (Correct answer)
- The examiner is uncertain and cannot form an opinion
- There is more evidence against common authorship than for it
- The samples match with absolute certainty
Correct answer: The evidence strongly suggests common authorship but falls short of certainty
'Probably did write' is a qualified conclusion indicating the evidence favors but does not definitively establish common authorship.
CFC Document & Handwriting Analysis 3
Which type of paper examination can reveal whether pages from different sources were substituted in a multi-page document?