U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

October 1999   Volume 1   Number 3

Part 5 of Presentations at the
2nd International Symposium on the
Forensic Examination of Questioned Documents
Albany, New York
June 14 – 18, 1999

Exhibit A

A.	Visual			Notes
	1.	Form Number/Date	G
	2.	Size of Writing	G
	3.	Slant of Writing	G
	4.	Pen Pressure	G
	5.	Word and Line Spacing	G
	6.	Quality of Writings	G
	7.	Visual Differences in Writing Instruments	G
	8.	Side Margins	G
	9.	Visual Differences	G
	10.	Dating Errors	G
	11.	Overwritten Writings	G
	12.	Format/Spatial Deviations	G
	13.	Differences in Soiling	G
	14.	Extraneous Marks	G
	15.	Signs of Abrasive Erasures	G
	16.	Signs of Chemical Eradications	G

B.	Paper			Notes
	1.	Size of Pages	G
	2.	Thickness	G
	3.	Color	G
	4.	Fluorescent Qualities	G
	5.	Adhesive on Edges	G
	6.	Perforations	G
	7.	Handling Disturbances	G
	8.	Paper Surface Disturbances	G
	9.	Ultraviolet for Chemical Erasures	G
	10.	Torn Pages	G
	11.	Staple Holes	G
	12.	Paper Clip Marks	G
	13.	Cut/Edge Markings	G
	14.	Fiber Characteristics	G
	15.	Opacity/Transmittance	G

C.	Writing Instruments			Notes
	1.	Defects in Writing Instruments	G
	2.	Type of Writing Instrument	G
	3.	VSC-I Infrared Examination	G

		Filters		Nanometer Range	Lighting	Photo
		FS1	G
		FS2	G
		FS3	G

	4.	Specular Reflectance	G
	5.	Ultraviolet Examination	G
		Long Wave	G
		Short Wave	G
		Control Standard Test	G
	6.	Dichroic Filter	G
	7.	ALS - Alternate Light Source	G

		Filters		Nanometer Range	Lighting Frequency

		Control Standard Test	G
	8.	Laser      Make: __________      Model: __________	G
		Control Standard Test	G
	9.	Fiber Optics Light
		Depth of Impression/ Impression Studies	G
		Reverse Side Embossing	G
		Edge Studies	G
		Reverse Side Abnormalities in Paper Affecting Ink Path/Line	G
	10.	Stereoscopic Examination	G
		Magnifications    G ____________   All	G
		Microphotographs	G
	11.	Thin-Layer Chromatography	G
	12.	Scanning Electron Microscope
		Operator: ___________	G
	13.	Line Sequencing	G
	14.	Relative Aging/Dating of Ink
		Contracting Lab: __________	G

D.	Trace Evidence			Notes
	1.	Cross Recording of Pages (Contaminates)	G
	2.	Punch Holes/Wear	G
	3.	Copier Toner	G
	4.	Copier, Trash Marks	G
	5.	Indented Impressions
		ESDA	G
		LIFTS	G
	6.	Ink Bleeding Between Pages	G
	7.	Staple Holes	G
	8.	Stereoscopic Microscopic Characteristics	G

E.	Special Considerations
	1.	Stamps: Consistency With Others From Same Time Period
	2.	Typewriting: Consistency With Other Typewritten Documents From The Same Time Period
	3.	Copier Characteristics: Trash Marks/Quality
	4.	Letterhead Consideration (Copies)
	5.	In Medical Record Cases: Unrelated Patient Records From Another Patient As Support Documentation (Name Changed)
	6.	Narcotics Logs: Federal Rules
	7.	Cross Check Copies With Originals
	8.	Carbon and NCR Copies: Alignment Issues of the Various Entries
	9.	Sequential Dated Entries: Are They Contemporaneous or a Single Entry?

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FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS     OCTOBER 1999   VOLUME 1   NUMBER 3