Forensic science
Review Questions
1. What is a questioned document? Describe at least one example of something that might be a questioned document. A questioned document is any document with handwriting or typed writing that is questioned to its authenticity. One example would be a letter that was written from the suspect or anybody.
2. What is an exemplar? What are the best types of exemplars? An exemplar is an authentic sample that is compared to the questioned document. The best ones are the ones that are most similar to the questioned document.
3. What are natural variations? Describe how these may happen. Natural variations are small differences that show up in handwriting. For example, if someone were to trace a signature, some of the letters might have letters that do not match with the handwritings letters.
4. How are stamped signatures different from written signatures? Stamped signatures are stamped and written signatures are written.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Why are questioned documents important in forensic science? What is one example of a situation where a questioned document might be an important part of a criminal case?
2. What are some of the ways that a document examiner might try to match a questioned document to a specific typewriter? What aspects might they look at?
3. Imagine that you have been asked to determine whether a signature on a check is authentic or a forgery. What steps would you take in doing this? What aspects would you examine?
4. Imagine that you have been asked to determine whether a will written fifty years ago is authentic or a modern-day forgery. How would you go about doing this? What aspects would you examine to help you make your determination?
5. A law enforcement agent is in charge of getting a writing sample from an uncooperative suspect. The agent puts the suspect in a comfortable room and has the person choose from a bunch of pencils and ink pens. The agent takes the questioned document and dictates the information
1. What is a questioned document? Describe at least one example of something that might be a questioned document. A questioned document is any document with handwriting or typed writing that is questioned to its authenticity. One example would be a letter that was written from the suspect or anybody.
2. What is an exemplar? What are the best types of exemplars? An exemplar is an authentic sample that is compared to the questioned document. The best ones are the ones that are most similar to the questioned document.
3. What are natural variations? Describe how these may happen. Natural variations are small differences that show up in handwriting. For example, if someone were to trace a signature, some of the letters might have letters that do not match with the handwritings letters.
4. How are stamped signatures different from written signatures? Stamped signatures are stamped and written signatures are written.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Why are questioned documents important in forensic science? What is one example of a situation where a questioned document might be an important part of a criminal case?
2. What are some of the ways that a document examiner might try to match a questioned document to a specific typewriter? What aspects might they look at?
3. Imagine that you have been asked to determine whether a signature on a check is authentic or a forgery. What steps would you take in doing this? What aspects would you examine?
4. Imagine that you have been asked to determine whether a will written fifty years ago is authentic or a modern-day forgery. How would you go about doing this? What aspects would you examine to help you make your determination?
5. A law enforcement agent is in charge of getting a writing sample from an uncooperative suspect. The agent puts the suspect in a comfortable room and has the person choose from a bunch of pencils and ink pens. The agent takes the questioned document and dictates the information