Document analysis is a forensic technique used to assess the authenticity of documents and, when applicable, determine their authorship.
This field of study involves the examination of various document characteristics, including handwriting, printed text, materials, and potential alterations.
Document modifications can occur through four primary processes: erasures, additions, cut-outs, and chemical alterations:
- Erasures involve mechanical rubbing or scraping of the document surface to remove existing text.
- Additions are modifications made by incorporating extra strokes, letters, numbers, words, or entire phrases.
- Cut-outs refer to the application of external paper elements that obscure or replace parts of the original document.
- Chemical alterations occur when substances are applied to erase or modify written content.
The forensic examination of documents typically includes microscopic analysis, chemical testing, and digital imaging techniques to detect and document any modifications. Technical reports and expert evaluations play a crucial role in verifying document integrity, assisting in legal, extrajudicial, and arbitration proceedings.
These assessments contribute to the resolution of disputes by providing objective, scientifically grounded analyses of questioned documents.
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