Anchoring: Cognitive bias and numerical conception

Anchoring is a cognitive bias connected to the conception of information by every individual. The initial notion created becomes a significant point of reference for all future interpretations of the same object or data, so as to block any further re-elaboration to the initially defined information. The article presents a practical case of a false numerical conception due to anchoring

The effect of photocopier types on line quality features of handwriting in multi-generational photocopies

The present research was aimed at finding out the relative effect of advancement in photocopier technology on the analysis of handwriting line quality features in multi-generational photocopies. Five subsequent multi-generational photocopies of 50 signature samples from different individuals which were produced by 75 black and white photocopiers were used for line quality assessments. Variations in line quality features in different photocopy generations, such as: smooth edges or ragged edges, broken or continuous stroke, fine tapering changes, and some identification details of features like pen lifts, retouching, and hesitation were carefully observed in sample photocopies, which were recorded according to the brand and model of photocopier machines, as well as their size and speed. The results of the study revealed that raggedness in line was often observed in third generation (G3) and higher generations, in samples produced by some low speed copiers (copying speed < 30 cpm) or very high speed copiers (copying speed ≤ 80 cpm). However, their line quality was still found to be good enough for handwriting analysis up to the fifth generation (G5) in photocopy samples produced by some medium speed copiers (copying speed 30 to 50 cpm). It was, however, observed that, usually, continuity of line and smoothness of line were appreciably lost in G3 and higher generations in photocopies which were produced by portable desktop printers. Exceptionally, certain artifacts that are usually found in some higher generation copies were conspicuously absent in all photocopy generations (G1–G5) which were produced by some advanced third generation photocopiers. Hopefully, the information obtained from the study will be found useful to document examiners when examining certain cases involving multi-generations of photocopier reproductions.

Document examination in criminalistics and forensic sciences: New approaches and modern technologies

Document examination in criminalistics and forensic sciences is an activity required during the investigation and/or judicial proceedings. Using the full potential of investigative actions in document examination is an important source of evidence, which makes it possible to put the crime investigation on the right path. It is extremely important to resolve issues related with the expert examination of documents. Since the technical study of documents is the most common type of forensic studies, the article notes its transformation both towards expanding and restricting its volume. Moreover, the authors give indication of the new paradigm emerging in the examination of documents and their new forms, which highlights the need for developing new approaches and using different techniques and legal frameworks. Another important aspect is the protection of the judicial proceedings from false and erroneous forensic expert reports. To this end, forensic experts are warned of possible criminal liability and are sworn in. It is worth noting that these mechanisms are not always effective and the use of additional legal and managerial

Forensic examination of electronic signatures: A comparative study

The writing of names or signatures has great importance due to its use in authentication, validation, and authorization of documents. Moreover, handwritten signatures present an aura of personality and make an impression on many people. But now, with the emergence of new technologies, a variety of electronic writing media such as digital tablets and pens are being used to produce writings and signatures; and the conventional way to produce the writing using pen and paper is waning. With the changing ways of writing and signature production, the means of producing forged writing or signature are also bound to change. This has brought new challenges for handwriting examiners. In the present study, a comparative analysis of electronically captured signatures with pen-paper signatures has been performed to study the effect of changes in writing media. Signature samples were taken from the same subjects on paper and electronic pads. The similarities and differences with respect to class and line quality features between both signatures were analysed. It was observed that despite differences between the signatures produced by the same author, it is still possible to establish the authorship of signatures in the case of electronic signatures.

Tax crimes in Italy using accounting documents

Contemporary document research involves the need to use the latest technologies and analytical techniques that provide the most complete possible knowledge of contemporary issues and methods of document research. Documents are used to record legal actions and events of legal significance. By their essence, they are therefore closely related to the sphere of rights and obligations of a specific person or institution. Crimes against documents pose a threat to the proper functioning of the state and thus the development of every enterprise. They affect, directly or indirectly, the misallocation of financial resources at the disposal of an enterprise. Forging documents may be aimed at obtaining unauthorized access to specific sources of financing, influencing key management decisions made in the company, or, finally, concealing inconvenient facts. On the other hand, the social harm suffered as a result of forging documents of evidence significance in tax matters may be enormous. For this reason, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge of the dynamics characterizing document forgery in the sphere of economic activity in order for the state to activate mechanisms able to prevent this type of crime. The article describes the issues of selected tax frauds in Italy with the use of accounting documents.

Myths about fingerprint evidence: Basic facts countering miscarriage of justice. Part 1

The long practice of fingerprint science is accompanied by confusing thoughts affecting the interpretation of the fingerprint evidence recovered from a crime scene, and, consequently, prosecutors and judges’ decisions as well. However, despite the tremendous scientific and technological developments relating to fingerprint enhancement, processing, and usage, which clarify precise facts regarding the influence of deposition circumstances, substrate, light, air, temperature, and time factors on fingerprint secretions, misconceptions about fingerprints are still widespread within the law enforcement and judicial system. This problem prevents the proper usage of fingerprints in fighting crimes and supporting the justice system by strong physical evidence. This study aims to highlight some scientific facts about fingerprints as well as a new approach and reconceptualization of fingermarks as a tool for crime scene investigation and training. The article discusses twenty-four myths about fingerprints – part 1 covers ten of them and part 2 discusses the other fourteen.

Myths about fingerprint evidence: Basic facts countering miscarriage of justice. Part 2

This is the second part of the study that aims at highlighting twenty-four myths about fingerprint evidence. In this paper, the authors are going to explicate and clarify the difference between the scientific facts and the wrongful concepts that negatively affect the justice system and the effective usage of fingerprint evidence starting from the initial investigation at the crime scene until the final trial at the courtroom.

The authorship of disguised handwriting written with the unaccustomed hand: A preliminary study

Sometimes, a writer may try to disguise their normal handwriting to hide their identity. One of the most effective and less frequent modes of disguise is to write with the un-accustomed hand. In this type of disguise, due to a sudden loss of pen control, pictorial appearance of handwriting changes to such an extent that the writer assumes success and gets convinced that the disguised handwriting they have produced cannot be attributed to them by comparison with their normal writing style. In the present study, handwriting samples of several persons, both with the normal hand and the unaccustomed hand, were obtained and an attempt has been made to find out and identify those features that survive the hazards of disguise and could be helpful to accurately determine the authorship of such disguised handwriting in comparison with one’s normal handwriting samples. A detailed study of letter-forms, the connecting strokes between letters, and t-crossing written by several persons has been carried out. It has been found that, despite pictorial dissimilarities, there are certain unconscious features that are rarely disguised which could either form the basis for their association with a particular writer or indicate its probability for further investigation. The analysis, comparison, and evaluation of features unconsciously left by the writer, including the parameters selected for the present study, can be carried out by a trained forensic document examiner; and they can give whatever opinion is possible and justifiable in facts and circumstances of a case.

Chosen problems in forensic examining of signatures placed on paintings

In the context of current forensic knowledge and practice, using the handwriting analysis method to examine a painter’s signature does not give rise to any objections. It allows such an examination to be more transparent. The article presents a certain specificity which characterizes painter signatures. Such distinctions reveal themselves at various stages of analysis: examining the location of the questioned signature; qualifying examination of the questioned signature; determining the scope of handwriting features considered under the examination; determining the range of variability in handwriting characteristics in the comparative material; determining the degree of variability in the same characteristics in the questioned signature. The article also raises the issue of experts’ competencies, particularly significant in examining painting signatures.