QUESTIONED DOCUMENT - Any documents about which some issue has been raised or which are under scrutiny.

DOCUMENTS - Any materials which contains marks, symbols or sign either visible partially visible or invisible that may presently or ultimately convey maening or message to someone.


     The examination of document is one of the oldest field of the ForensicScience.  History reveals that the practice of forgery and other frauds involving document evolved almost as early as the development of writing as a medium of communication.

     Every investigator and law enforcer must know basic knowledge regarding the scientific method in the accurate collection and preservation of evidence peratining to questioned document problem.

     Forensic document examination applies the principle of science and logic to all questioned document problem in order to determine the origin, authenticity and genuineness .  Answers are sought to questions regarding handwriting, typewriting, imprint document, alteration, ink, paper, writing instrument and other problem that may challenge the integrity of a document.

     The role of the document examiner does not end in the generation of examination results and offering of expert opinion.   But rather it is the study and responsibility of a document examiner to testify in court if the need to do so arises;   which uasually happens when a document case is filed in court.


QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION DIVISION CAPABILITIES:

1.   Examination of questioned signatures
2.    Handwriting examination
3.    Examination of documents suspected to have been altered/erased
4.    Decipherment of Secret Writings
5.    Examination of Sequence of Entry
6.    Paper and Ink Comparison
7.    Typewriting Identification
8.    Examination of Couterfeit Bills
9.    Conduct lectures to PNP, AFP and other government agencies.
10.    Attend Court Duties

Requirements needed for the Conduct of the Examination of Questioned Documents

A. Request:
1. Document examination shall be base on written request from any government/private investigating agency, court order and/or private requesting party.
2. Document previously examined by any competent agencies of the government shall not be re-examined except when there is a court order.
3. If the case is undergoing trial in court, disputed documents shall be examined only upon order of the court having jurisdiction of the case.

B. Specimen Submitted:
   1. Signature:
       a. Original documents
       b. Contemporaneous date of the standard documents maximum of five (5) years before and after the execution of the questioned documents.
       c. At least eight (8) or more standard signatures
       d. Similar writing style
       e. Similar writing instrument used if possible.

   2. Handwriting:
       a. Original documents
       b. Contemporaneous date of the standard documents maximum of five years before and after the execution of the questioned documents.
       c. At least five (5) or more standard handwritings.
       d. Similar writing style
       e. Similar writing instrument used if possible.
   3. Typewriting:
       a. Original documents
       b. At least (4) pages of standard typewriting (verbatim)
   4. Counterfeiting:
       a. Original questioned documents
       b. At least one (1) standard in case of unfair trade competition.
   5. Alteration:
       a. Original questioned documents:
         (a.1) Erasures – using chemicals and mechanical process
         (a.2) Superimposition – adding something over the same thing
         (a.3) Interlineations – adding or inserting something between lines.

Service Pledge

Service	Processing Time	Accountable Staff	Fee
Exam of questioned signature	1o working days	Examiner concerned	P2,000.00
Exam of questioned handwriting	1o working days	Examiner concerned	P3,500.00
Exam of altered/erased document	3-5 working days	Examiner concerned	P2,000.00
Exam of questioned typewritten document	3-5 working days	Examiner concerned	P3,500.00
Decipherment of secret writings	10 working days	Examiner concerned	P2,00.00
Examination of sequence of entry	3-5 working days	Examiner concerned	P2,00.00
Paper and ink examination & comparison	3-5 working days	Examiner concerned	P2,00.00
Examination of counterfeit bills	2-3 working days	Examiner concerned	P2,00.00
Conduct lecture to PNP, AFP & other government agencies	according to request	Examiner concerned	----
Conduct field laboratory work	1 day	Examiner concerned	----
Attend court duties	according to subpoena	Examiner concerned	----
Verification of cases examined	20 minutes	Examiner concerned	----
Reply on walk-in/phone in queries	immediate	Examiner concerned	----
Reply on written queries on cases examined	2-3 days	Examiner concerned	----

Reasons for the Delay of the Results:
     1.   If documents are not original, examiners conduct field laboratory work on scheduled date.
     2.   Submission of inappropriate standard for comparison.
     3.   Insufficiency of submitted standard for comparison.
     4.   Voluminous documents for examination.


Note:

     -  our office is open from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., Monday to friday
     -  you may approach any of our staff at the QDED for your request for assistance
     -  Please get your Trust Receipt from the Trut Receipt Processor and pay directly to the Land Mank, Multi-Purpose Center          undergroud.
     -  After paying at the Land Bank, please present to us the Special BAnk Receipt no. (SBR) or proof of payment.
     -  The payment is intended for the materialsto be used i your case. The Crime Laboratory personnel services are free.

[Go to Top]