10/16/2023
Detailed Evidence Within the Paper of Questioned Documents
Most document examiners don’t have the experience or knowledge of what secrets may be contained within the paper of a questioned document. At DocuDNA our paper scientist and experts have the knowledge and experience to uncover the hidden truths.
There are many types of paper, each manufactured for its particular end use. Each of these types or grades of paper has unique set of specifications. Each specification gives the paper unique properties, and in the case of forensic analysis, unique clues. At DocuDNA our experts can identify these clues through the paper’s formation, type of fibers, brightness and color and other physical properties.
DocuDNA experts have developed ScanRite Paper ID Technology to identify if every sheet of paper within a document came from the same source or ream of paper. We are able to measure the chemical “fingerprint” of the paper and statistically analyze the data, providing positive proof of its source.
Paper’s properties also effect the print quality of the printed document. For instance, there is a delicate balance of a paper’s property called static decay of electricity and how the toner in a laser printer adheres to the paper prior to being fused or melted onto the paper. An imbalance in this static charge will cause the toner to adhere to undesired areas on the paper, causing print anomalies or defects. Many of our cases involve questioned documents where the text is altered, or pages substituted. These clues can be used to identify if all pages were printed on the same printer, or a different printer. Careful print analysis can also identify the type of printer or print technology used to print the document.
As printing technologies improve so does the quality of printing. Staying current with and understanding paper manufacturing and printing technologies is critical to be able to identify fraudulent documents. A document examiner must be able to identify and understand the reasons of printing anomalies or defects. They also need to be able to know or identify if a document was printed on an inkjet or laser printer or another type of printer.
Since different types of paper are manufactured to different end uses. Paper properties differ depending on whether it is going to be used for multi-part forms, legal documents, passports, lottery tickets, money, etc. Each of these types of paper will exhibit unique properties. Understanding which properties go with each paper grade or type is essential to solving questioned document cases.
DocuDNA’s paper scientist, Doug Cobb, has over thirty years of papermaking and printing experience. His vast knowledge and understanding the science of paper and printing make him one of the world's foremost experts on forensic document examinations. Doug is a frequent speaker and educator of other document examiners on paper and its unique properties.
