What is a Questioned Document?
Questioned document are everywhere.
We may not even realize that there are so many things around us that fall into this category even though we may have never heard the term questioned document.
A questioned document is any document that may be disputed and queried on the basis of source, origin, and authenticity.
This can be any document that contains linguistic and numerical markings.
that have been placed on a surface and object using handwriting, typing, printing, copying, and other means.
There are many different types of documents that are considered questioned documents.
Sometimes questioned documents are subpoenaed and examined in order to determine if a crime was committed and to help solve the crime.
A questioned document examination refers to the scientific examination of questioned documents and suspicious documents.
Forensic document examiners play a critical role in investigations .
that involve document evidence and may be helpful to solve crimes and can even gain evidence from shredded documents .
graffiti on a wall which can also be considered questioned documents if it is relevant to an investigation of a crime.
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Aspects of a Questioned Document .
Questioned documents are any documents that may be disputed based on source and authenticity.
The main aspect that these documents have that make them questioned documents are markings such as handwriting, typewriting, computer printing, and copy writing but can be on any object, not just paper.
This includes digital documents and contracts, as well as things like graffiti samples on the side of a building or wall if they are relevant to an investigation.
Examples of a Questioned .
There are many different documents that can qualify as a questioned document especially when it comes to the investigation of a crime.
Examples of questioned documents can include:
- Identification cards, driver’s licenses, and passports
- Wills
- Contracts, such as leases or mortgages
- Titles and deeds
- Currency and checks
- Electronic documents and digital signatures
- Receipts
In certain circumstances, items such as graffiti markings can also be considered questioned documents.
What is a Forensic Examiner?
Qualified forensic document examiners conduct all questioned document examinations.
Usually, document examiners in training must complete a two-year, full-time training program under a qualified forensic document examiner .
before becoming a qualified forensic document examiner eligible for membership into a well-established professional association such as .
the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE).
These associations help consumers identify the most qualified and legitimate forensic document examiners.
In addition forensic document examiners are required to undergo continuing education in order to keep their skills current and up-to-date.
Forensic document examiners work either privately out of their own lab and for a publicly funded lab.
Document examiners use various heuristic and technological methods to examine questioned documents and determine if they are authentic and have been tampered with.