CHA Technology & Digital Tools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) primarily allow a forensic handwriting examiner to do?
- Measure pen pressure through surface indentations
- Examine documents under different wavelengths of light to reveal hidden ink differences (Correct answer)
- Digitize handwriting samples into vector format
- Compare digital signatures against a biometric database
Correct answer: Examine documents under different wavelengths of light to reveal hidden ink differences
The VSC uses multiple light sources and wavelengths to reveal ink differences, alterations, and obliterations invisible to the naked eye.
Question 2: An Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA) is most useful for detecting:
- Forged signatures on digital documents
- Indented writing left on pages beneath the one written on (Correct answer)
- Infrared-invisible inks used in fraud
- Watermarks embedded in security paper
Correct answer: Indented writing left on pages beneath the one written on
ESDA reveals latent indented writing on paper caused by pressure from writing on overlying sheets.
Question 3: When a handwriting analyst uses a flatbed scanner to capture a questioned document, what minimum resolution (DPI) is generally recommended for forensic quality?
- 72 DPI
- 300 DPI
- 600 DPI (Correct answer)
- 1200 DPI
Correct answer: 600 DPI
600 DPI is the standard minimum for forensic document scanning, capturing fine pen strokes and microscopic details needed for comparison.
Question 4: Which software feature is most critical when using digital comparison overlays for handwriting analysis?
- Color-correction filters
- Transparent layer functionality allowing superimposition of letter forms (Correct answer)
- OCR text extraction
- Automatic baseline correction
Correct answer: Transparent layer functionality allowing superimposition of letter forms
Transparent layering allows examiners to superimpose known and questioned writing samples for direct visual comparison of letter forms and proportions.
Question 5: A questioned document examiner uses a stereomicroscope rather than a compound microscope primarily because:
- It provides higher magnification for ink chemistry analysis
- It gives a three-dimensional view useful for examining pen pressure and stroke texture (Correct answer)
- It can read infrared wavelengths not visible to the human eye
- It connects directly to forensic databases for comparison
Correct answer: It gives a three-dimensional view useful for examining pen pressure and stroke texture
The stereomicroscope provides a 3D, low-to-medium magnification view ideal for examining pen pressure grooves, stroke edges, and surface texture.
Question 6: In digital handwriting analysis, what is a 'pressure map' generated by a graphics tablet used to assess?
- The geographic origin of the writer based on pressure habits
- The variation in writing force across different strokes and letter formations (Correct answer)
- The age of the ink by measuring oxidation depth
- The type of pen used based on resistance feedback
Correct answer: The variation in writing force across different strokes and letter formations
A pressure map visualizes force variation across strokes, revealing writing habits like heavy initial strokes, tremor, or consistent light touch.
Question 7: When using Adobe Photoshop or similar software to prepare handwriting samples for comparison, which action would be considered improper in a forensic context?
- Adjusting brightness and contrast to enhance visibility
- Converting the image to grayscale for clarity
- Removing background noise with a healing brush that alters stroke edges (Correct answer)
- Cropping to isolate specific letter forms
Correct answer: Removing background noise with a healing brush that alters stroke edges
Altering stroke edges with healing or cloning tools changes the evidentiary integrity of the document image and is forensically inadmissible.
CHA Technology & Digital Tools 2
What does the Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) primarily allow a forensic handwriting examiner to do?