Questioned document examination (Forensic Science)

Questioned document examination, also known as forensic document examination, is a branch of forensic science that deals with the examination of documents that are either in dispute or have been involved in a crime. This area of forensic science is used to help resolve various types of legal disputes, including contract disputes, will contests, and criminal investigations. The process of questioned document examination involves the physical analysis of various aspects of a document, including its paper, ink, handwriting and signatures, typography, and other characteristics that are unique to the document in question.

The examination of paper involves analyzing the physical and chemical properties of the paper. This can include examining the thickness, texture, color, and watermark of the paper, along with other characteristics that may be unique to the type of paper used. The examination of ink involves analyzing the chemical composition of the ink used in the document and any inks that have been added or altered after the document was created. Handwriting and signatures are also analyzed, as they can be unique to each individual and used to identify the writer of a document.

Typography analysis is another important aspect of questioned document examination, and involves analyzing the spacing, alignment, and font type used in a document. This can help identify the type of printer or computer used to create the document, as some printers and software programs have specific fonts and spacing that are unique to them.

Overall, questioned document examination is a critical aspect of forensic science that is used to identify and analyze various types of documents that are involved in legal disputes or criminal investigations. By carefully analyzing the physical and chemical characteristics of a document, forensic examiners can provide expert testimony in court and help to resolve disputes and investigations.