CHAPTER 9:

Forensic Examination
of
Questioned Signature
 Group 5 blk 2
Abolencia Nesle

Barredo, Jesus

Presenters: Bordo Arvin

Camisic, Lester

Lumagbas, Crispin

Obrado, Mykie

Sanico, Abner
What is
Signature?
Signature is the personal marks of an
individual.

Kinds of Signature
1. Conventional
2. High Indivualized
Conventional
the signature which is readable and the form of
the letter dtrokes are complete.
High Individualized
the signature which is more often not readable and
has series of ornamental strokes, the person’s
signature serves as a “trademark”.
Strokes Structure Signatures
The stroke of signatures is the series of lines and design of letters that compose the
individuality of signature. Strokes refers to a neuromuscular command to execute an
elementary movement.

What is Signature Identification?

The identification of signatures is a specialized branch of handwriting examination.
The identification principles and pointers in general handwriting fundamentally
remain the same. However, certain characteristics and factors must be given careful
consideration because:
 1. Known signatures may contain elements and features not common to the writer’s other
classes of writing.
2. factors of identification given closet study of signature examination may not be given the
same special emphasis general writing.

The identification of signature depends very large on the manner it is written. A combination
of the following provide a dull description of the individual handwriting movement in the
execution of the signature.

1. A continuous writing or, the opposite, a writing movement interrupted are intervals by
either pen stops or actual pen lifting
2. Rhythmic or, the opposite, the jerky patterns of writing
3. Shading and pen emphasis on particular strokes
4. Overall writing pressure
5. Speed of execution
6. Smooth or angular connecting strokes between letters
7. Starting of the initial writing movement before or after the pen gets in contact with the
paper and the corresponding condition at the termination of the word
 Forged signatures where no attempt has been made to make a copy of the
1 genuine signature of the person purporting to sign in the document

2 Forged signatures of fictitious person.

Classification
Forged signature which closely resemble the genuine signature since
3 tthey have produced by a trading process.

of Forged signatures which resemble the genuine signature written

4
Suspect freehand to produce what is known as a “simulated forgery”

Signatures 5 Genuine signatures which have been obtained by trickery.

6 Genuine which the writers are honestly unwilling to accept genuine

Genuine signatures which have been deliberately written illegibly or

7 in an unusual manner so as to afford the signatories some plausible
grounds for disclaiming them should they deem it expedient.
 Blunt starts and stops
Indication Pen lifts and hesitation

of Tremor

Forgery Speed and pressure

Patching
 Degree of skill

Firmness of stroke

Habitual speed of writing

Characteristics Fundamental Muscle Movement

of Pattern of Shading and Pen Emphasis

Genuine Signature
Presence of Natural Variation

Coordination, Continuity and Rhythm

Carelessness
 Standard of Comparison
The ideal example to be used for signature or handwriting comparison is one
which duplicates all the condition under which questioned material was written.
Standard handwriting is generally considered to fall into two grouping: non-
requested standards “gathered” and “requested or collected” standards.

Non-requested standard - not collected from the person after the writing in question has
taken place rather this are sample of previous writing such as notes sample cheque signature

Requested or “collected” standard - are those already in existence that the

attorney or inverstigation collect. They maybe bank record, letters, legal form.
Suggested Steps in the Examination Signature
1. Place the questioned and the standard signatures in juxtaposition (side by side) for simulation
viewing of the various elements and characteristics.
2. Find elements to be considered on the movement employee or manner of execution (slow,
deliberate, rapid and etc.)
3. Second element to examine is the quality of line: smooth, fluent, presence of tremor or hesitant.
4. Examine is blunt, club shaped, tapered, or vanishing.
5. Examine the design and structure of the letter. Determine roundness, smoothness, angularity and
direction. Each individuals has a different concept design.
6. Look at the presence if patching or retouching.
7. Examine the connecting strokes, slant, ratio, size and lateral spacing
8. Do not relay so much in similarity or the differences on the capital letters, for those are often
changed according to the whim and caprices of the writer.
Methodology
of
Forgery
 Non-Genuine Signature - Handwritten

Non-genuine handwritten signature may be generally categorized into one of nine possibilities. While a determination of
forgery may be possible it is not always possible, it’s not always possible to assign the signature to one of these
categories

Spurious Signature (Sample Forgery)

Written by somebody who did not attempt to imitate the signature of a person but who uses a fictitious name and tries
to give his work the appearance of that we call a “signature”

Simulation (Simulated Forgery)

The simulated signature (or freehand forgery) used by forges who have a certain skill in writing. After some practice, the
forger tries to write a copy of the model quickly.

Tracing (Traced Forgery)

In this type, the writers over a signature or other writing because the writers does not write in his or her natural hand. It is
not possible to identify the writer, but it is possible to determine if the writing was produced by tracing.
 Transmitted Light Tracing

The transmitted light tracing is the simplest of the tracing to produced and the one most often encountered.
The paper that is to receive the spurious signature is placed over a document bearing the genuine signature.
These documents are the aligned so as to put genuine signature directly under the selected location for
forgery.

Carbon-Medium Tracing

A carbon paper is placed over the document on which the signatures are to duplicated. The model signatures
are placed over the carbon paper. Carbon-medium tracing is a method of choice especially if the document to
receive the tracing is too heavy a weight, such as a cardboard, to allow for good light transmitted image.

Pressure Indented Tracing

Similar to a carbon paper tracing, the indented line tracing is produced essentially in the same manner, nut
does not employ any intermediate reproduction of medium. Heavier pressure is used to trace over the
signature.
 Tracing Paper Techniques

To use tracing papers start by placing a drawing on image you want to trace and tapping it
down so it stays in place. Then use a graphite pencil to trace the original drawing onto the
tracing paper. When you’re finished, removed the tracing paper and tape it facedown on
your new medium.

Auto-Forgery

Normally, auto-forgery would be defined as forgery of one’s signature created by one’s

self. When someone pretends to forge their own signature so that they can content the
validity of the check or document.
 Transferred or Transposed Forgery

Most traditional ball point pen inks employ the ethylene medium as the base ingredient to
carry dyes, extenders and other inks components. A signature made by employing a pen
using this ink be “transferred” to another document by using ordinary waxed paper or
freezer paper.

Photocopy Forgery (Cut and Paste Photocopy)

When the document examiner undertakes the examination of a photocopy, this examination
must necessarily include significant thoughts as to the possibly that a genuine signature can
be affixed to the fraudulent document and the composite or paste-up photocopied.
 Desk Top Forgery

It is unwanted of modern technology. The material and equipment needed in this

procedure are expensive, unique, or difficult to operate personal computer pentium intel
or equivalent processor and imaging software. In addition, a flatbed scanner and a
standard printer Photoshop to remove ovelapping ink line printed characters, rubber
stamps and obliteration.

Electronic Signature

Electronic dignitized signature was produced through digitized tablet with the use of
digital pen which is using signature electronic documents for transactions.