Chapter 7 Criminalistics

Reticle

A network of fine lines in the eyepiece of a microscope that allows the exminer to measure the distance between magnified objects

thin-layer chromaography

A technique for sseparating components in a mixture. Used to separate the components of different inks

The most common chemical technique used to analyze ink is

TLC

_________ is the process of making or adapting objects or documents with the intention to deceive

forgery

When examining ink, the document may be iluminated with near-infrared illumination and its image then examined sequentially through a series of

optical filters

An _____ is the leading technology for detecting indented writing on questioned documents

Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (SEDA)

Erasure

The removal of writing or printing from a document

Black Capitals

Uppercase, unjoined letters

Forgery

When a person creates a document or alters an existing document in an attempt to deceive other individuals, whether for proffit or for other nefarious purposes, such as entering the country illegaly

Radio frequency identification (RFID) chip

a computer chip that uses communication via a radio frequency to uniquely identify an object, such as visa

Class characteristic

a feature that is common to a group of items

individual characteristic

a feature that is unique to a specific item

Freehand Method

a forged signature that was created by simulation rather than by tracinng

Connecting Stroke

a line joining two adjacent letters

intaglio

a printing method in which a metal printing plate is engraved, producing a raised image on the document. Intaglio is used for security printing, such as for money, passports, and identity documents

Lithography

a printing method in which an image is transferred from a printing plate to an offfset sheet and then onto the document. the resulting image is not raised or indented

Screen printing

a printing method in which ink is passed through a screen

Letterpress printing

a printing method in whiich detail is raised off the printing plate, which results in a corresponding indenttation of the characters of the printed document

Biometrics

a technology using features of the human body for identification

Watermark

a translucent design impressed into more expensive paper during its manufacture

script

a writing style characterized by lowercase unjoined letters

The removal of ink from a document by chemical bleaching can be determined by examination of the discolorations in the paper surface ___________ to the bleached ink surface under the microscope

adjacent

Electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA)

an instrument used to visualize writing impressions

Questioned document

an object that contains type-written or handwritten information but whose authenticity has not yet been definitely proven

three basic types of handwriting

block letters, cursive, and script

the handwriting of young children who write block letters has ___________ characteristics

class

The most common features of paper that are easily measured are the __________,____________, and ______________

color, weight, brightness

An examiner can determine whether the paper used for two documents was produced by different manufacurers by stacking the questioned and standard paper next to each other and observing any differences in __________--

dimensions

It is important to determine both the __________ in which the pen strokes were created and the order in which they were made

direction

It is possible to lift an authentic signature that was made with a pen containing ___________ ink up to an hour after the signature was made

erasable

handwriting samples that are used as a means of individual identification are called

exemplars

Letters formed by a typewriter produce (individual/class) characteristics

individual

cursive handwriting exhibits ___________ characteristics

individual

If the masking ink used to conceal underlying writing is transparent to near-infrared light and the underlying ink is opaque, the examiner may reveal the underlying information by using _________ light and a suitable infrared filter

infrared

examination of a forged document under __________ light will reveal if a pencil was used first and ink applied over it

infrared

many inks, when they are irradiated with blue-green light, will absorb the blue-green radiation and then give off radiation in the _______

infrared

U.S. currency is printed by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving using __________ printing

intaglio

Handwriting analysis that indicates circular movement of the pen in a clockwise direction indicates _____________(left/right) handwriting

left

Infrared luminescence

light given off in the infrared region when ink is irradiated with visible light

The thickness of paper sheets can be measured by using

micrometer

Examination of the laser printer tone usually involves a microscopic analysis of the surface ______, followed by identification of the inorganic and organic components present

morphology

Inks that look identical in color but have different chemical compositions may provide evidence of an alteration when examined using illumination in the ______ region of the spectrum

near infrared

A document examiner uses optical methods to examine inks first because these techniques are

non destructive

A _____ is a document that contains typewritten or handwritten information whose authenticity is in question

questioned document

In the future, U.S. passports will contain a _______ chip, which the government hopes will make passports harder to counterfeit

radio frequency identification chip (RFID)

a ___________ is an eyepiece that contains a grid of fine lines that is placed on the magnifier to determine the position of the letters bring examined

reticle

Trace over method

the copying of a genuinne signature by tracing over it

terminal stroke

the final stroke trailing away from a letter, word, or signature

initial stroke

the first stroke leading into a letter or signature

Specks or marks on photocopies called __________ care caused by dirt or scratches on the glass window on which the original document is placed

trash marks

The trace-over method places the document to be forged _________________(under/over) the paper containing the authentic signature

under

If the masking ink used is slightly transparent to visible light and the underlying ink is flourescent, the examiner may reveal the masked information by illuminating the document with intense ____________ light, some of which will penetrate the masking ink and induce the underlying ink to flouresce

visible

Some expensive paper, when held up to the light, displays a translucent design called a

watermark