age of document , document, paper, writing matter, typescript, printed matter, signature and handwriting, typewriter and various types of type writing devices
1. AGE OF DOCUMENT
Submitted to:
Dr. Kriti Nigam
Submitted by:
Mansi Gupta
Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Institute of Forensic Science & Criminology
Bundelkhand University, Jhansi
2. Content
■ Introduction to Document
■ Age of Document
■ Dating Material
1. Paper
2. Writing Inks
3. Typewriting
4. Printed Matter
5. Handwriting & Signature
■ Typewriter
■ Parts of Typewriter
■ Various types of Type writing devices
■ Examination of typewriting devices
3. Document
■ Section 3 of Indian Evidence Act, 1872 defines Document as “Document” means
any matter expressed or described upon any substances by means of letters,
figures or Mark’s, or by more than one of those means, intended to be used, or
which may be used, for the purpose of recording that matter.
4. Age of Document
Questions surrounding the production date of a particular document or entry can vary
widely. For instance, the authenticity of a document purportedly written centuries or
decades ago may be at issue. Such analyses are performed by-
■ Comparing the contested document to other similar documents from the same
time frame.
■ Referencing manufacturers and other technical information about the material
used, such as ink, paper, computer printers, fax machines etc.
■ Examining for accidental markings and indented impression.
5. Continued..
■ A typical contemporary document is made up of handwriting and computer-
generated text on paper. An examination of following components may provide
information that establishes an earliest possible data of production.
Age
Of
Document
Paper
Writing Inks
Typewriting
Printers
Facsimile Machines
Handwriting and
Signature
6. Paper
■ The materials that make up paper contain information
about when the paper was first manufactured.
■ The fiber content and various other materials, such as
substances for coating, loading or brightening, all have
first date of use.
■ Any study of paper on the basis of formulation requires
two factors in order to establish a significant date are:
1. First, the manufacturer of the paper must be known.
2. Second, the manufacturer must have records that
disclose when certain combinations of materials were
first introduced.
■ A common method of determining the source of paper
and its possible time of manufacture involves the
watermark found in better grades of writing, typing and
computer printing paper.
7. Writing Inks
■ The determination of age of ink is not an easy task. The following observations are
helpful in estimation;
Age of Ink
Color Change Smudging
Diffusion
Pattern
Ink Age Markers
Only the blue-black
ink changes its color
from blue-black to
black. The change is
gradual and is
affected by factors
like sunlight, air,
humidity.
Fresh ink is easily
smudged while old ink
takes time to dissolve
in water and other
reagents.
Ink often contains sulphate
or chloride ions from the
acids added to it. They
diffuse into paper with the
passage of time.
The age of the writing is
directly related to the
extent of diffusion.
Manufactures of ink in
certain countries add age
markers-chemicals- to the
ink.
The added chemical
changes with the passage
of time. The extent of
change indicate the age of
document.
8. Type Script Writing
■ Computerised database of type styles are available to the document examiner to
aid in manufacturer identification & provide information on dates of introduction.
These records do not establish when the document was typed, but can provide an
earliest possible date of creation.
■ Another method for dating a document through study of the type script is the
evolution of defects through wear and tear of the machine or element. These
defects can be :
■ As these tend to develop over time, it may be possible to establish a defect
chronology & date the questioned document with that chronology.
• Broken or bent Characters
• Filling in letters and numerals
• Misalignment
• Bead defects
9. Printed Matter
■ Document prepared on letterhead stationary
or on pre-printed form frequently contain
information regarding the earliest date
■ Pre –printed forms may bear a code
indicating the date of design/printing.
■ Changing in design or wording may provide
chronological touch points that can be used to
aid in establishing possible ranges of creation
dates.
■ Likewise changes to telephone numbers,
area codes, addresses, etc., on letterhead
related to the individual or business
establishment concerned will sometimes
assist in establishing that a document is
backdated.
There are slight differences in the
arrangement in STREET and the NEW.
The spacing between the first and
second lines differs by 1/16 inch. The
information helped to authenticate the
date of a disputed document.
10. Signature and Handwriting
■ Changes in handwriting and more particularly signature, sometimes occur over time.
■ The evolution may be gradual or quite sudden, depending on the circumstances.
■ An accident or the influence of alcohol and drugs can result in a change in writing
ability.
■ This change may be short lived or there may be a gradual improvement, but with
residual characteristics remaining.
■ Example: A writer who finds himself in an occupation that requires the signing their
name numerous times throughout the workweek.
The pictorial differences need not be so apparent, as subtle changes may be
introduced with time, often manifesting themselves in more stylized individual letters or
the combining of the characters at the end of a signature. All have the potential to assist in
dating a document.
12. Typewriter
A Typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical machine for writing characters
similar to those produced by a printer’s movable type. A Typewriter has an array of
keys movable type and each one causes a different single character to be produced on
the paper, by mean of a ribbon with dried ink struck against the paper by a type
element similar to the sorts used in movable type letterpress printing.
The first Commercial Typewriter were introduced in 1874.
13. Parts of
Typewriters ■ Carriage Return
■ Carriage Release
■ Platen or Cylinder Knob
■ Line space lever or Regulator
■ Platen
■ Paper Guide / Type Guide
■ Carriage
■ Tab Bar or Tabulator
14. Various types of Typewriters
TYPES
OF
TYPEWRITER
S
STANDARD
TYPEWRITER
PORTABLE
TYPEWRITER
NOISELESS
TYPEWRITER
ELECTRIC
TYPEWRITER
AUTOMATIC
TYPEWRITER
ELECTRONIC
TYPEWRITER
VARIABLE
TYPEWRITER
SPECIAL PURPOSE
TYPEWRITER
15. Standard Typewriter
Standard Typewriters are in specific and standard
sizes, viz, foolscap, brief and policy size.
Continuous stationery device is attached to the
standard typewriter, which facilitates neatly
performance of any paper work.
Portable Typewriter
This type of typewriter is highly useful for
individual purpose. It has less weight so that
it can be carried to any place. It is only three
or four inches height. It can be kept at any
place since it requires less space. It can be
put in brief case during travels.
Most of the professional people used this
type of typewriter in past.
16. Noiseless Typewriter
A special type of bar is used to reduce the
noise of the impact of the type bar upon the
page. This type of typewriter is used if many
typists are working together in a business
office. The cost of this typewriter is slightly
higher than the cost of ordinary typewriter.
It is not good for multicopy work.
Electric Typewriter
The electric power is used to operate this type
of typewriter. An electric motor is attached to
the standard typewriter. Mere touching a key
is enough to operate the typewriter. This
typewriter requires only one-fourth energy of
typist for operation.
17. Variable Typewriter
A single typewriter has variety of style and size of
letters. These style and size of letters are adjusted
according to the requirements. The type of letters
may be italic, small size, big size etc. If the
correspondence is little, big size letters are used and
vice versa. This is useful particularly in preparing
reports where different styles of types can be used
to distinguish one set from another.
Automatic Typewriter
This typewriter automatically types a
standard matter from a previously punched or
stenciled master. The non - standard matter
of names and communication address may
be inserted at appropriate places by a
selective device. One hundred fifty words per
minute can be typed with the help of this
typewriter. Power is used to operate this
typewriter. It saves time and energy of typist.
A single typewriter can do the work of three
typists. The cost of the typewriter is high.
18. Electronic Typewriter
The invention of electronic typewriter is a
revolution in the typing history. The reliability of
this typewriter is achieved by the attachment of
microprocessor technology. Electronic typewriter
has memory system also. Nearly 500,000
characters can be stored in the memory system.
Each letter is called a character. These
characters can be displayed on demand.
Special purpose
Typwriter
Tabulation typing, scientific formulae,
statistical reports etc are prepared with
the help of special purpose typewriter.
Tables, formulae, formats etc, are typed by
using dual unit typewriter. The hectograph
carbon role typewriter is used to produce
master sheets for hectograph duplicating
machine. The flat bed typewriter is used
for typing directly into found books.
19. Examination of Type Writing Devices
■ When available, it is always good practice to examine a
Typewriter.
■ It is important to note the obvious features such as
make and model.
■ Most machines have a ribbon in place when submitted
for forensic examination. The color of ribbon is black but
some typewriter were designed to be able to use two-
colored ribbons. The typescript produced by a Typewriter
may not be crystal clear and there may be uncertainty
about the fine detail that has been obscured by, for
example, a fading ribbon.
■ The typeface of a type bar Typewriter is made of metal a
d is therefore generally robust and not very likely to
break. Heavy use can eventually damage to the typeface.
Such damage is very often focused on the weakest part
of characters, namely serifs, the small leg like elements
Close up of a letter h with
top and bottom serifs on left
side damaged
20. Reference
■ Kelly, Jan Seaman, Lindblom, Brian S., Scientific Examination of Questioned
Documents
■ Allen, Michael., Foundation of Forensic Document Analysis Theory and Principles
■ Levinson, Jay., Questioned Document, A Lawyer’s Handbook
