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 Questioned Document Review Questions and Answers


1. A document that is being questioned because of its origin, its contents, the circumstances, or the stories of its production.

A. disputed document

B. standard document

C. requested document

D. questioned document


Answer: questioned document



2. The art of beautiful writing is known as

A. drafting 

B. calligraphy

C. art appreciation

D. gothic

 

Answer: calligraphy



3. Any written instrument by which a right or obligation is established.

A. document

B. subpoena

C. warrant

D. letter


Answer: document



4. It is considered the most skillful class of forgery.

A. carbon tracing

B. simple forgery

C. simulated or copied forgery

D. traced forgery


Answer: simulated forgery



5. A condensed and compact set of authentic specimens that is adequate and proper should contain a cross-section of the material from known sources.

A. disguised document

B. questioned document 

C. standard document

D. requested document


Answer: standard document



6. A method of characterizing handwriting by measurement of the proportionate values of the angle and ratio of the heights and widths of letters.

A. Graphometry 

B. Graphology

C. Haplography

D. Graphonomics


Answer: Graphometry



7. The art of attempting to interpret the character of personality of an individual from his handwriting, also called grapho-analysis.

A. Graphometry

B. Graphology

C. Haplography

D. Graphonomics 


Answer: Graphology



8. The unintentional omission in writing or copying of one or more adjacent and similar letters, syllables, words, or lines.

A. Graphometry

B. Graphology

C. Haplography 

D. Graphonomics


Answer: Haplography



9. The study of the science and technology of handwriting and other graphic skills (coined in 1982). 

A. Graphonomics 

B. Graphology

C. Haplography

D. Graphonomics


Answer: Graphonomics 



10. A registered trade name that identifies the system of handwriting analysis taught by the International Graphoanalysis Society Inc.

A. Graphonomics

B. Graphoanalysis 

C. Haplography

D. Graphology


Answer: Graphoanalysis 



11. Which of the following optical instruments is most preferred in document examination for providing a three-dimensional image and a wide field of view to study ink stroke intersections?

A. Hand Lens

B. Compound Microscope

C. Stereoscopic Microscope

D. Comparison Microscope


Answer: C. This instrument provides depth perception and a 3D view, which is essential for determining the sequence of strokes and physical characteristics of writing.

The stereoscopic microscope provides a three-dimensional view and is widely used for examining line crossings, ink strokes, erasures, and surface characteristics.



12. What specialized apparatus is used to reveal 'indented writing' or impressions left on a sheet of paper from writing performed on a page above it?

A. Ultra-Violet Lamp

B. Electrostatic Detection Apparatus

C. Thin Layer Chromatography

D. Video Spectral Comparator


Answer: B, ESDA works by applying an electrostatic charge to the paper and using toner to reveal microscopic indentations that are invisible to the naked eye.

ESDA is the standard instrument for revealing indented writing on paper.



13. To detect mechanical erasures or determine the presence of an embossed seal, which type of illumination is the most effective?

A. Oblique Lighting

B. Vertical Lighting

C. Fluorescent Lighting

D. Transmitted Lighting


Answer: A. By placing the light source at a low angle from the side, shadows are created that highlight surface disturbances like erasures or seals.

Oblique (side) lighting highlights surface disturbances such as mechanical erasures, embossed seals, and indentations.



14. Which apparatus allows the examiner to observe a document's reaction to various wavelengths of light, including Infrared and Ultraviolet, without damaging the evidence?

A. Spectrophotometer

B. Video Spectral Comparator

C. Digital Infrared Camera

D. High Performance Liquid Chromatography


Answer: B, VSC is a non-destructive imaging system that uses filtered light to differentiate inks, reveal alterations, and view security features.

VSC allows non-destructive examination under ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths.



15. In the examination of paper thickness, which precision tool is utilized to provide a measurement in thousandths of an inch or millimeters?

A. Metric Ruler

B. Densitometer

C. Micrometer Caliper

D. Glass Template


Answer: C. A micrometer is the standard tool for measuring the gauge or thickness of paper, which can be a key point of comparison for document authenticity.

A micrometer is the standard precision instrument for measuring paper thickness.



16. What light source is specifically used to see through ink that has been used to obliterate or cross out writing, assuming the inks have different chemical compositions?

A. Short-wave Ultraviolet

B. Infrared Radiation

C. Sodium Vapor Lamp

D. Polarized Light


Answer: B, Infrared light can often pass through certain black inks while being absorbed by others, allowing the underlying 'canceled' text to become visible.

Infrared examination can reveal writing obscured by certain inks and is commonly used for deciphering obliterations.



17. When examining a suspected counterfeit peso bill, which lighting method should be used by placing the light source behind the document?

A. Reflected Light

B. Incident Light

C. Diffuse Light

D. Transmitted Light


Answer: D. By passing light through the document, variations in paper density (such as watermarks and security threads) become clearly visible.

Watermarks and security threads are best examined using transmitted light.



18. Which tool is commonly used to measure the slant or angle of handwriting in a questioned document?

A. Goniometer

B. Protractor

C. Optical Comparator

D. Compass


Answer: B, A protractor or specialized glass template with degree markings is used to quantify the angle or slant of handwriting strokes.

In document examination, examiners commonly use a protractor, transparent template, or measuring grid to determine handwriting slant.



19. To identify if a document was created using a specific typewriter or printer, which equipment is used to compare the font design and spacing side-by-side?

A. Scanning Electron Microscope

B. Phase Contrast Microscope

C. Digital Magnifier

D. Comparison Microscope


Answer: D. This device consists of two microscopes connected by an optical bridge, allowing two different documents to be seen in a single split-screen view.

A comparison microscope allows side-by-side examination of typewriting, printing defects, and other identifying characteristics.



20. Which light source is most useful for detecting chemical erasures where an eradicator has been used to remove ink, causing the paper to glow differently?

A. X-ray

B. Laser Light

C. Ultraviolet (UV) Light

D. Incandescent Light


Answer: C, UV light causes many substances to fluoresce; chemical eradicators often leave a stain or react differently under UV compared to the rest of the paper.

Chemical erasures often alter fluorescence and can be detected under UV illumination.



31. Which of the following refers to a document executed by a person in the performance of their duties as a government official or employee?

A. Notarized document

B. Private document

C. Commercial document

D. Official document


Answer: D. An official document is issued by a public officer in the exercise of their functions as prescribed by law.



32. What is the classification of a document that is executed by a private person without the intervention of a notary public or any other person legally authorized?

A. Private document

B. Public document

C. Official document

D. Commercial document


Answer: A. Private documents are created by individuals for private purposes without official state or notarial intervention.



33. When a private document is acknowledged before a notary public, it is legally transformed into which kind of document?

A. Official document

B. Public document

C. Void document

D. Commercial document


Answer: B. A private document becomes a public document once it is acknowledged before a notary public, making it admissible in evidence without further proof of its authenticity.



34. Which document type is defined as those used by merchants or businessmen to promote trade or credit, such as checks, drafts, and promissory notes?

A. Private document

B. Public document

C. Commercial document

D. Official document


Answer: C, Commercial documents are those defined and regulated by the Code of Commerce or other mercantile laws.



35. A document whose authenticity, identity, or origin is under suspicion or in dispute is technically referred to as a:

A. Standard document

B. Falsified document

C. Questioned document

D. Holographic document


Answer: C. A questioned document is any document whose source or integrity is contested or requires examination.



36. Which of the following is a document that contains some change, either by addition or deletion, of the original text or signatures?

A. Simulated document

B. Altered document

C. Genuine document

D. Exemplar document


Answer: B. An altered document is one that has been modified after its original execution without the consent of the parties involved.



37. Which type of forgery involves the writer attempting to copy a signature or writing by following the outline of the genuine signature using a light box or carbon paper?

A. Disguised writing

B. Simulated forgery

C. Traced forgery

D. Spurious forgery


Answer: C. Traced forgery is the result of an attempt to follow the outline of a genuine signature through some transparent or mechanical means.



38. In the context of Document Examination, what do you call a known specimen of writing used for comparison with a questioned document?

A. Reference document

B. Standard document

C. Public document

D. Disputed document


Answer: B. A standard (or exemplar) is a document with a known origin used to identify the source of a questioned writing.



39. Which type of forgery is characterized by the forger having no model or genuine signature to copy, essentially just writing a name in their own hand or a modified hand?

A. Indirect forgery

B. Traced forgery

C. Simple forgery

D. Simulated forgery


Answer: C. Also known as spurious forgery, the perpetrator makes no attempt to imitate the handwriting of the person whose signature is being forged. 

- Simple Forgery = writing another person's name without attempting imitation.

- Spurious Forgery = often used as a synonym for simple forgery.

- Simulated Forgery = deliberate imitation of a genuine signature.

- Traced Forgery = imitation through tracing.


40. Which of the following describes a signature produced by a forger who practices copying a genuine signature until they can replicate it freehand?

A. Simulated forgery

B. Simple forgery

C. Traced forgery

D. Holographic forgery


Answer: A. Simulated or 'copied' forgery involves imitating a genuine signature freehand after a period of practice.


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