Forensic Sciences


Traced Forgery – A Case Study

Article Number: GHI662854 Volume 01 | Issue 01 | April - 2018 ISSN: 2581-4273
07th Nov, 2017
10th Feb, 2018
13th Mar, 2018
01st Apr, 2018

Authors

Afreen Tarannum, Ranjeet K. Singh

Abstract

In today scenario signature has great importance, as every individual signs his or her name once daily or several times in a day. Due to frequent use of the signature, the question often arises that whether the signature is genuine or not. Signature Forgery simply means altering any signature with the intent to defraud which could be executed by numerous methods. One of the method which is discussed in this case is traced forgery, which means reproducing the exact copy of the genuine signature. Traced forgery is executed by using carbon paper, indented tracing, tracing paper, transmitted light or scanned image. Forensic Document Examiner examines the every minute details of the traced signatures and conclude whether the questioned signature shows the resemblance and similar mathematical measurements in respect of model signature or not. Here in this paper, a case has been taken in which three disputed signatures is examined for giving probable conclusion. First the inter-se comparison of questioned is done followed by the comparison of signatures with admitted for finding the origin of the questioned signature. The result in this particular case, revealed that the three disputed signature exactly superimpose with slight adjustment. Keywords: Handwritten Signatures, Forgery, Tracing

Introduction

Handwritten signature is being used on regular basis, because of its frequent use it is always questioned. As many a time people tries to imitate the signature of an individual for their personal benefit or for harming an individual or an organization. Therefore there is need for verifying the signature to know who actually signed the document. But before understanding how to verify that the particular signature is genuine or not, first the concept of signature must be clear. Signature is generally defined as a name or a mark that a person puts on a document to authorize that the document has been crosschecked by him/her (Mathyer, 1961). The signature is classified into Formal signature, Informal Signature and Careless scribbled signature which the writer execute as per need or requirement (Saferstein, 1982). But currently the signatures are frequently the subject of forgery (Jackson and Jackson, 2011). Forgery means to dishonestly making, altering, or writing one’s signature, which is usually tried by offenders in most of circumstances with the intention of making money from the acquitted parties (Lerner and Lerner, 2006). There are number of forger who prepare the forged documents either by trickery or by using different method of forgery such as tracing, simulation, transplanting, and computer generated document. The most commonly used method is tracing, a mechanical act in which forger imitates exact copy of the genuine signature. For tracing a signature the forger must have a model signature to copy and if the forger successfully execute the tracing then the forged signature will show exact mathematical measurement, which can be verified by using superimposition technique (Misra et al.). In current scenario, according to the forensic document experts, a traced forgery is the crudest forgery. Below mentioned are the different of tracing forgery (Sharma, 2003):

1. Carbon Copy Tracing – In this method, carbon paper is positioned between the genuine document and targeted document, then the signature on the genuine document is outlined with the help of a dry pen, stylus or any other pointed device with pressure. Carbon copy is completed with ink and pen.

2. Indented Tracing – In this method, the genuine document containing the model signature is positioned over the targeted document, then the signature is outlined with a sharp and hard point with pressure. Signature on the targeted document is covered with ink and pen.

3. Tracing Paper – In this method, tracing paper is positioned over the genuine document and a hard pointed pencil is used for obtaining the intended impression. Indented impression is completed by ink

4. Transmitted Image – In this method, genuine document is positioned on the top of the glass table and a light is passed from below of the table. This will help the forger in outlining signature from the genuine document on the targeted document which is inked later on.

5. Scanned Image – In this method, scanner is used to copy the genuine signatures and store the digital image of signature in computer and used in future as per required.

Hence, after concluding that the particular signature is forged the next question comes in the mind of forensic document examiner is to identify the forger. In the field of questioned document, identification of signature and handwriting is necessary (Levinson, 2001). The identifying feature that should be taken into consideration while dealing with traced forgery cases are as follows abrupt changes in the direction of the line, lack of fluency, more line tremors, pen lifts, blobs of ink, retracing, and poorer duplication of the line quality than free-hand forgeries. In carbon paper tracing method, residues of carbon along the inked lines under microscope, indentation which can be visible under Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA) (Hilton, 1939; Koppenhaver, 2002; White, 2004). Here in this paper, we had discussed a case on traced forgery with an aim to identify the method used for tracing and to know the origination of the questioned signature.  

References

Hilton, Ordway. Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents. New York: Elsevier, 1982. Print.

Jackson, Andrew R. W., and Julie M. Jackson. Forensic Science. Harlow, England: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2011. Print.

Koppenhaver, Katherine. Attorney's Guide to Document Examination. Westport, CT: Quorum, 2002. Print.

Lerner, K. Lee., and Brenda Wilmoth. Lerner. World of Forensic Science. Detroit: Thomson/Gale, 2006. Print.

Levinson, J. (2001). Questioned Document: A lawyer’s Handbook. Academic Press.

Mathyer, Jacques. "The Expert Examination of Signatures." The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science 52.1 (1961): 122-33. Web. 5 Apr. 2017.

Misra, V. C., Shruti Gupta, and S. K. Shukla. "Intense examination of unusual case of companion tracing." International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development 2.5 (2015): 87-89. Web. 5 Apr. 2017.

Saferstein, Richard. Forensic Science Handbook. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1982. Print.

Shrama, B. (2003). Forensic Science: In Criminal Investigation and Trials. Universal Publishing Law Co. Pvt. Ltd. |

White,P. (2004).Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science.(2nd Ed.). The Royal Society of Chemistry. TJ International Ltd.

How to cite this article?

APA Style

Tarannum, A. (2018). Traced Forgery – A Case Study. Academic Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1(1), 1-4.

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