Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents


Book Description

Considered the forensic document examiner's bible, Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents is an authoritative and comprehensive reference that focuses on the pertinent advancements made within the field. This newest edition presents the qualifications necessary for a well-trained examiner and details the most up-to-date methodologies used i




Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents, Revised Edition


Book Description

Disputed document inquiries encompass extensive and varied technical examinations, unique phases of investigation, and specialized legal presentations. This book serves as a guide to all aspects of a questioned document covering the broad spectrum of the work as it is practiced today. From the work of the field investigator and the examination of a document to the presentation of evidence in court, Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents provides a comprehensive approach that is ideal as a training manual for document examiners, investigators, and attorneys.




Guide for the Development of Forensic Document Examination Capacity


Book Description

Fraudulent identity and security documents are integral prerequisites for the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, terrorist mobility, to facilitate the smuggling of drugs, weapons and other goods, and to commit fraud. Fraudulent documents are the grease that eases cross-border crime of all types. They include fraudulently obtained, illegally issued, forged and counterfeit documents. Many countries in the world recognize that forensic document examination is vital to immigration and border control security and have a forensic document examination facility. Although the ability to detect and disseminate intelligence about fraudulent documents is vital to border security, there are still countries lacking this capacity. Moreover, there is a lack of awareness among relevant criminal justice practitioners of the benefits that forensic document examinations may provide to assist border control security and immigration facilities. The Guide aims to provide practical assistance for the establishment or upgrading of forensic document examination capacities in two categories of service providers: (a) immigration and border control agencies and (b) forensic science laboratories. Several levels of infrastructure development ranging from basic to advanced capacity are covered. The focus is on the staff skill and educational requirements needed to perform forensic document examinations and to provide court testimony, intelligence alerts and training.




Forensic Handwriting Identification


Book Description

Forensic Handwriting Identification: Fundamental Concepts and Principles teaches the law enforcement and legal communities the major principles involved in handwriting and hand-printing analysis as applied to many types of investigations, including fraud, homicide, suicide, drug trafficking/clandestine labs, sexual offenses, threats and extortion, blackmail, arson, bombings, and theft. Lawyers and investigators will learn how to interpret an examiner's report, the significance of various handwriting opinions and the influencing factors which must be considered. - Reviews basic concepts that affect a person's writing, demonstrates how to obtain handwriting specimens and evidence, and provides the appropriate ASTM and SWIGDOC standards and procedures - Ideally suited for forensic science and legal professionals, investigators working with document examiners, and law enforcement students and professionals - Includes model specimen handwriting forms




Questioned Documents


Book Description

Questioned documents are any documents that may be used as evidence in a trial, ranging from handwritten notes to counterfeit currency to contracts. This concise new handbook is designed specifically to aid lawyers involved in cases that involve questioned documents (QD) evidence. It explains the basics of document examination and helps litigators improve the way they present document evidence and question witnesses. It also provides references to professional literature and other legal sources, making it easy to find further information when needed. Questioned Documents: A Lawyer's Handbook provides analyses applied to many types of investigations and types of documents. It outlines the techniques for determining authenticity, age, ink and paper sources, handwriting identification, equipment used, forgeries, alterations, erasures, and more. In addition to helping the attorneys who mush present the QD evidence and ask the questions, this handbook is also an important resource for the expert witnesses who will be asked those questions at trial. Key Features * Explains the basics of document examination and shows how they apply to a variety of cases * Helps litigators improve the way they present document evidence and interrogate witnesses * Saves hours in pre-trial interviews by providing lawyers with the a thorough knowledge of the topic * Presents case examples from the US, UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Nepal, Israel, Jordan, Russia, Romania and more * Includes actual questions that can be asked of expert witnesses * Provides an extensive list of references and research suggestions * Helps document examiners learn about the application of their expertise in the courtroom, and what to expect when questioned by attorneys




Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States


Book Description

Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.




Forensic Document Examination


Book Description

Forensic Document Examination enlightens forensic document examiners, forensic investigators, attorneys and others using the services of forensic document examiners with the basic principles and current trends in the area. Standards and methodologies apply now, which were non-existent 20 years ago. Instrumentation has moved beyond the microscope and the magnifying glass to digital cameras, digital microscopes, video spectral comparators, electrostatic detection devices for the development of indented writing on paper, scanners, and software programs like Write-On 2.0 and Photoshop. - Covers basic principles and methodologies used in forensic document examination - Contains state-of-the-art techniques and new trends - Includes research over the last ten years and describes the future direction of forensic document examination




Crime Science


Book Description

This comprehensive guide to forensic investigation “delivers the goods for the educated layperson . . . readers will be hard-pressed to put it down” (USA Today). Forensic experts Joe Nickell and John Fischer introduce readers to the work of firearms experts, document examiners, fingerprint technicians, medical examiners, and forensic anthropologists. These topics are explained in clear terms without technical jargon. Nickell and Fisher describe fingerprint classification and autopsies, explain how fibers link victims to their killers, and examine the science underlying DNA profiling and toxicological analysis. From weapons analysis to handwriting samples to shoe and tire impressions, Crime Science outlines the indispensable tools and techniques that investigators use to make sense of a crime scene. Each chapter closes with a study of an infamous case to demonstrate how the principles of forensic science work in practice. Case studies including the O.J. Simpson trial, the Lindbergh kidnapping, the death of Marilyn Monroe, the World Trade Center bombing, the assassination of the Romanovs, and the Atlanta child murders.




Forensic Human Identification


Book Description

Identity theft, criminal investigations of the dead or missing, mass disasters both by natural causes and by criminal intent with this as our day to day reality, the establishment and verification of human identity has never been more important or more prominent in our society. Maintaining and protecting the integrity of out identity has reached