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