Skip to main content

Optical Methods in the Examination of Questioned Documents

  • Conference paper
Forensic Science Progress

Part of the book series: Forensic Science Progress ((FORENSIC,volume 2))

Abstract

First, the word “document” is defined. “Optical methods” are described in a survey of classical as well as the most recent methods and techniques in the field. The paper does not include any new and original methods or techniques, but describes recent studies carried out in the field of questioned-document examination. The basic concepts of questioned-document examination, the examination of dimensions and shapes, of structures, and of colors and tones are considered along with the various techniques of modern photography and of examining in reflected light, in grazing light, and in transmitted light as well as the techniques of ultraviolet fluorescence, ultraviolet reflexion, infrared absorption, and infrared luminescence and the use of various modern apparatus such as the comparison macro-micro-projector, scanning electron microscope, and microspectrophotometer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Aufroix, L. and Milluy, I., Ceccaldi, P.-F.: La détermination de l’ordre d’apposition de traits d’encre superposés par spectrophotométrie de réflexion. Rev. Intern. Criminol. Police technique, 28, No. 2, 181 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Baier, P.E.: Technical Improvements of SEM Methods in Document Examination. Forens. Sci. Intern. 22, 265–278 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Baier, P.E.: Das REM in der Urkundenprüfung. Mannheimer Hefte für Schriftenvergleichung 4, 211 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Barnard, J.A.W., Polk, D.E. and Giessen, B.C.: Forensic Identification of Papers by Elemental Analysis using SEM. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Part II 1975, pp. 519–527

    Google Scholar 

  5. Browning B.L.: Analysis of Paper. 2nd ed., Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, Basel, pp. 30–31, 142–144 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cinelli, S.E.: Efeito do filtro Cross-Screen em cruzamentos de traços. 8th IAFS Meeting, Wichita, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  7. Creer, K.E.: Some Applications of an Argon Ion Laser in Forensic Sciences. Forens. Sci. Intern. 20, 179–190 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ellen, D. M.: A New Apparatus for Examining Documents. 9th IAFS Meeting, Bergen (N), 1981

    Google Scholar 

  9. Foster, F. and Rinderknecht, R.: Universal Makro-Vergleichsprojektor. Ein neues Arbeitsgerät für den Kriminaltechniker. Kriminalistik, Hamburg (D), Heft 6, 266–269 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Graham, D. and Gray, H. C: The Use of X-Ray Electronography and Auto-electronography in Forensic Investigation, J. Forens. Sci. 11, No. 2, 124–143 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Godown, L.: Sequence of Writing. Journal of Criminal Law, Criminol. and Police Sci. 53, 101 (1963)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hardcastle, R.A. and Hall, M.G.: A Technique for the Detection of Alterations to a Document from a Carbonless Copying System. Forens. Sci. Soc. J. 17, 9–13 (1977)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hecker, M. and Haas, R.: Nachweis einer direkten Passfälschung mit Hilfe einer 3-Kanal-Video-Vergleichsanlage. Arch. Kriminol. 1980, 153–158 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hilton, O.: Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents. Rev. ed., Elsevier North Holland, New York, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  15. Iten, P.X.: Fortschritte in der Kriminaltechnik. Kriminalistik 4, 156–163 (1981), Kriminalistik 5, 182–188 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Klingele, H. and Veigl, J.: RE-Mikroskopie — Möglichkeiten der Papier Beurteilung. Wochenblatt für Papierfabrikation 101, 187–204 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mathyer, J.: Un accessoire utile pour l’examen des documents: une table transparente pour les examens microscopiques. Rev. Intern. Criminol. Police technique, 6, No. 2, 191–192 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mathyer, J.: Deux appareils intéressants pour les laboratoires de police. Rev. Intern. Criminol. Police technique, 16, No. 4 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Mathyer, J.: Photography and the Police. Intern. Crim. Police Rev., 255, February, 39–53 (1972), 256, March, 73–82 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Mathyer, J., Veillon, P. and Rothenbuehler, O.: Some Remarks on the Optical Examination of Inks. Intern. Crim. Police Rev., 262, November, 238–255 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mathyer, J.: Macro-Micro Universal Comparison Projectors: Models 8031 and 8032 from Protectina AG. Intern. Crim. Police Rev., 303, December, 270–281 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Mathyer, J.: The Problem of establishing the Sequence of Superimposed Lines. Critical Review of Proposed Techniques. Intern. Crim. Police Rev., 342–343, 238–250, 271–281 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Mathyer, J. and Pfister, R.: Die Bedeutung der Strichmikrostruktur bei Urkundenuntersuchungen. Ein Beispiel: der Bleistiftstrich, Mannheimer Hefte für Schriftvergleichung 4, 208–209 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Mathyer, J. and Pfister, R.: The Determination of Sequence of Crossing Strokes by the Kromekote Lifting Process and by Scanning Electron Microscopic Methods. Forens. Sci. Intern. 24, 113–124 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Mathyer, J. and Pfister, R.: The Examination of Typewriter Correctable Carbon Film Ribbons. Forens. Sci. Intern. 25, 71–80 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Nolan, P. J., England, M. and Davies, C.: The Examination of Documents by SEM and X-Ray Spectrometry. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Part II, 1982, pp. 599–610

    Google Scholar 

  27. Nolan, P., Davies, C. and Filby, A.: Determination of Sequence of Writing. A Strategy for Evaluating new Methods. Forens. Sci. Soc. J. 24, 355–356 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Oron, M. and Tamir, V.: Development of SEM Methods for Solving Forensic Problems Encountered in Handwritten and Printed Documents. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Part I, 1974, pp. 207–214.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Oron, M. and Tamir, V.: The Use of the Scanning Electron Microscope for the Examination of Handwritten and Printed Documents. Intern. Crim. Police Rev., 324, 24–30 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Parham, R. A.: X-Ray/SEM Analysis of Materials: Principles and Applications to Paper. Paperi ja Puu 55, 959–972 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Parham, R.A.: On the Use of SEM/X-Ray Technology for Identification of Paper Components. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Part II, 1975, pp. 511–518

    Google Scholar 

  32. Pavlenko, V.: Détermination de la superposition de textes tracés à l’encre en cas de croisements de traits. Rev. Intern. Criminalistique, Lyon, p. 601 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Pfefferli, P. W.: The Projectina Universal Projector. J. Forens. Sci. Soc. 22, 217–220 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Pfefferli, P. W.: Application of Microspectrophotometry in Document Examination. Forens. Sci. Intern. 23, 129–136 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Pfister, R.: L’emploi du MEB en criminalistique. Deux cas pratiques. Rev. Intern. Criminol. Police technique, 36, No. 1, 89–100 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Pfister, R.: L’emploi du microscope électronique à balayage (MEB) en criminalistique avec prise en considération particulière des possibilités dans l’expertise des documents. Thèse de doctorat en police scientifique et criminologie, Université de Lausanne, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  37. Polk, D.E., Attard, A.E. and Giessen, B.C.: Forensic Determination of Papers. II: Determination of Batch Differences by Scanning Electon Microscopic Elemental Analysis of the Inorganic Components. J. Forens. Sci. 22, 524–533 (1977)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ruml, W.: Strichkreuzungen. Arch. Kriminol. 126, 134 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Tangora, V.: An Anti-fraud Device, Intern. Crim. Police Rev., 311, 253–254 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Tappolet, J. A.: Un cas intéressant de relecture de document. Rev. Intern. Criminol. Police technique, 34, No. 4, 413–418 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Taylor, M.E. and van Essen, C.G.: The Use of Microanalysis in Forensic Science. Inst. Physics Conf. Series, London, 18, 234–237 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Totty, R. N., Dubery, J. M. and Evett, I.: X-Ray Microprobe Analysis of Coated Papers Used in Photocopying Processes. Forens. Sci. Intern. 13, 31–40 (1979)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Waeschle, P.A.: Examination of Line Crossings by SEM. J. Forens. Sci. 24, 569–578 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Warman, C. P., Curry, C. J. and Burke, P.: Evaluation of Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry for Examining Plain Paper Photocopies. Forens. Sci. Soc. J. 24, 415 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Williams, R.L.: An Evaluation of the SEM with X-Ray Microanalyser for Forensic Work. Scanning Electron Microscopy Part II, 1971, pp. 537–544

    Google Scholar 

  46. Wong, Y.S.: Forensic Applications of SEM/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analyser in Hong Kong. Scanning Electron Microscopy Part II, 1982 pp. 591–597.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Mathyer, J. (1988). Optical Methods in the Examination of Questioned Documents. In: Maehly, A., Williams, R.L. (eds) Forensic Science Progress. Forensic Science Progress, vol 2. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69403-5_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69403-5_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69405-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69403-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics