documents

Chapter 7
Preservation of papers documents files etc found at the crime scene and use of invisible rays.

The following are the general defects in a document submitted to FSL which need to be preserved at the crime scene and sent for examination.
Erasures: it may be required to distinguish fraudulent portion from the genuine portion in a single documents because the document might have been changed contains erasures after it has been executed. It may contain both mechanical and chemical erasures.
Indentation: the pen impression left on the surface of a paper on account of earlier writing on the top sheets since removed is known as indentations. They can be deciphered. The IO must rely upon the paper pad/ note book found in the defendant possession for corroboration.
Obliterations: an obliterated writing is any writing in which the message or the content thereof has been rendered undecipherable by the physical application over that writing of some substance. The decipherment of an obliterated entry or a particular document can effect the disposition of large sum of money or property or sometimes assist in uncovering the trial of an illegal activity.
Additions and alterations: any addition or alteration in a document affects its legal validity. If they are made after the document was signed. In order to ascertain whether a particular addition is genuine or false the documents has to be examined.
Invisible writing: invisible inks often body fluids and other such substances are used to scribe contact which may convey some illegal activity/ message to the other party. Deciphering the content of the invisible text is also one of the tasks of the document examiner.
Guidelines for marking documents:
The documents which require scientific examination should be clearly specified and marked before they are sent for examination to the laboratory.
Questioned writings
•The questioned writings should be carefully enclosed with a Coloured pencil, without touching or crossing any part of the writings or signatures. Identifying marks such as Q1,Q2,Q3 should be put for each of the enclosed question items.
• In case, a questioned item, consists of body writing, followed by a signature, which is alleged to be of one person it is advisable that separate identifying marks be put for the body writing and the signature.
Specimen writings
•The specimen writings supplied for comparison should also be similarly enclosed with a Coloured pencil and identifying marks such as S1,S2,S3 be put. It will facilitate the reference if specimen writings pertaining to one person are allotted identifying marks in seriate i.e. S1 to S20 for one writer; S21 to S40 to another writer and so on.

Admitted writings
•The adopted genuine writings supplied for comparison should also be similarly enclosed with a Coloured pencil and identifying marks such as A1,A2,A3 be put in seriate as outlined for specimen writing above.
Unusual conditions
•If it is alleged that the questioned writings were written under unusual conditions such as illness, infirmity or injury to hand or finger, intoxication, threat or duress, or while the writer was in a moving vehicle, the facts or allegations should be mentioned in the requisition. However the history of the case need not be given.

Handling and preserving:
•The value of document diminishes with careless handling . it is therefore essential to handle and preserve the document carefully. The following instructions should be followed in dispatching documents to the expert examination Do not handle the document with bare hands, as it would get soiled and contents destroyed or Retain the document in a transparent envelope. This will facilitate viewing the document without handling . Do not hold the document along new lines Do not carry the document in the pocket as the body heat or moisture may adversely affect them. Do not treat the document with any chemical for any purpose whatsoever . even if the expert requires the original document should be photographed. If portions of the documents are to be examined they should be photographed. If portions of he documents are to be examined they should be encircled with a Coloured pencil. The document should not be exposed to strong light heat or moisture. Punched, pointed clips, should not be used.

•Determine initially if finger print processing is required. Do not trace on the document. Do not pin, cut, tag or tear the document Place identification mark on the document at an inconspicuous place so that questioned writing is not disturbed. The documents are sent to the expert through a special messenger. in important cases, the IO himself should take the document to the examiner. If they are sent through post they should be insured against loss or theft.

•The forwarding letter should contain the list of all documents dispatched along with their identifying marks No additions such as underlying features should ever be made in the document . initials with date of its seizure and subsequently marks identifying the relevant portion of the document requiring exam can be put in areas of the document where they are least likely to interfere with the original writing .
•ID on a inconspicuous place in the document . Handle the charred document to the minimum extent. Do not place the burnt documents in strong wind or before a running fan. Old documents or which are fragile need careful handling.
If an important document has been charred, how will you preserve it and send it to FSL?
• They have little tensile strength.
• Charred mass should be moved by first inserting of a sheet of stiff paper beneath and then drawing the paper and its contents onto the stiff sheet of card board or metal. Then transfer into a box or into the center of a large sheet of wrapping paper, the sides of which are drawn up around the charred mass for protection.

Collection of standard writings and admitted writings:
•When the issue is one of establishing the identity of the writer of a document , or the genuineness of it the expert will need to compare it with other documents of known origin such documents are called standard document Compare like with like
Essentials of the standard
•There are two essential requirements before any material is of use as standard or specimen of known origin / writing. One is that the writing must be adequate in quality and quantity for the examination to be carried out and the other is that it can be proved to be by the person from whom it purports to originate.
Standard writing can be obtained in two ways
•request standard / specimen writings : it is obtained at the request of the IO. Non request standard: natural writings , admitted writings or existing writings To be admissible in evidence, the standard must be established as a genuine one and directly unquestionably connected with the person purported to be its author i.e. proof of authenticity Taking the sample in the presence of magistrate, testimony of witnesses
How to obtain standard writing –guidelines
•Known writing as similar as possible on similar writing instrument & paper:
•Some of the words combination of letters avoiding divulging the exact text of the document key words Adequate in number for natural variation to occur with Willingness/ consent
•Before the suspect is asked to write it is essential to ensure that he is quite comfortable in posture, without any kind of obstruction and has every thing to his satisfaction.
• First formal writings rid the suspect of undue tension and nervousness cheques Vs cheques; envelope writing Vs envelope writing; similar writing instrument; cursive style Vs cursive style
How to obtain standard writing –guidelines
•whenever possible actual text should be dictated
•dictation should be given at three different speeds on separate sheets slow, fast, normal speeds.
•The spellings and punctuation should not be dictated.
•When the first dictation has been completed, the specimen writings should be removed from the sight of the suspect, who should be persuaded to give a second specimen. signatures, about 30, should be obtained on each of the three different sheets. Information of the suspect like name age etc. IO should sign on each sheet with date and particulars of the case on the reverse of the document.
How to obtain non-request standards:
•contemporaneous ,natural ,admitted ,suspects’ non-availability or refusal- , samples from other sources to avoid intentional disguise.
How to obtain standard writing –guidelines
•Sources: letters note book account book, cheques, receipts, driving license, sale deeds , register , records in office, school and institutions.
•Period: contemporary in nature.
•Gap of 2-3 years is satisfactory
•No disguise as the writer was not aware that
•they were to be utilized for the purpose of comparison.
•So better representative.
Type script specimens:
•Copy of the entire text of the questioned type written document is to be prepared on similar paper,and ribbon & in a similar condition does not differ widely from that used for making the questioned type written document.
•If type faces are dirty- five sheets of specimen before and after cleaning the dirty faces If ribbon is worn-out- five sheets of document with worn out and new ribbon
Type script specimens
•Carbon copy Vs carbon copy, with light, medium and heavy touches respectively. The number, make, model of the type writer, the name of the typist to be put on each typed specimen sheet, The fact of cleaning or changing the ribbon or typing date of preparation of the document .


What are the security features in currency note:
• Security thread: in Rs 100,500,1000 partially embedded and readable security thread is present
• Latent image: on the tight side of the mahatma Gandhi portrait on the vertical panel a latent image of he denomination of the note is visible when it is held at 45o at eye level
• Micro lettering: between the vertical band and the mahatma portrait letter s of RBI are seen in Rs 50 and above in addition to the RBI the denomination value is also seen.
• Identification mark: Rs 50- square; 100- triangle; 500- circle; 1000- rhomboid
• Intaglio printing: Mahatma Portraits, RBI seal, promissory clause, guarantee clause is all in special intaglio printing raised letters.
• Fluorescence: number panel is printed in fluorescent ink. Fibers are also optically active. Hence it glows under UV light.Optically variable ink; Rs 1000, the 1000 numeral is printed in optically variable ink which gives different colours when held at different angles.