Related technical document examination

Technical document examination considers how document elements were produced and altered. It is separate from identifying the writer of a signature and from examining paper, ink or other materials.

Subject of examination

• Seals, stamps, printed text and signature images
• Signs of additions, erasure, replacement or montage
• The location and intersections of document elements, copies and originals

Sample questions for the expert

• What signs of technical alteration of the document are detected?
• How was the examined document element produced, if this can be established from the object?
• Are there signs of montage, copying or replacement of a fragment?
• Does the object allow examination of the sequence in which intersecting document elements were applied?

The final questions are formulated according to the objects and circumstances of the particular task.

What to prepare

• The original document with its condition preserved
• Comparable specimens of the seal, stamp or document, if needed
• Information about acquisition, storage and known alterations
• Questions and the previous report with all appendices

How the examination is conducted

The object and specific type of task are identified in advance. Examination of document elements and examination of document materials are planned separately. If special methods or another expert are required, this is determined before the work is agreed.

Scope and limitations

The age of a document is not established automatically from a scan. Examination of materials and possible intervention affecting the document require separate assessment of the method's applicability and agreement. Do not add marks, laminate or alter the original to be examined.

What the deliverable records

The conclusions identify the detected features of production or alteration, their significance for the questions and the limits arising from the original, the copy and the available methods.