Vocabulary

  • Arrangement: in handwriting, how the letters and words are placed on the page, including spacing and alignment
  • Content: in handwriting, the spelling, phrasing, punctuation, and grammar of the written document
  • Document examiners: professionals who analyze notes or documents associated with a crime
  • Forensic evidence: any physical thing that may be used in a criminal court to convict or clear a person
  • Form: in handwriting, the shape of letters and their slant
  • Line Quality: in handwriting, the thickness of the line caused by the type of writing tool and the pressure used while writing
  • Naked eye: looking at something without assistance of any device like a hand lens or microscope
  • Non-request handwriting: an example of a person’s handwriting that was written before the investigation began
  • Observation: information gathered about the environment using one or more of the five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing)
  • Questioned document: notes or written articles related to a crime scene where the author is unknown
  • Request handwriting: an example of a person’s handwriting provided as part of an investigation with a witness present
  • Suspect: one who authorities think may have committed a crime